Andrew Hooper back for Swans but Josh Gibson is undecided

Ballarat has already re-signed one former AFL player for the 2023 but arguably its biggest name is undecided on his future.

Former AFL premiership winner Josh Gibson will either play for Ballarat this season or retire.

The Swans have confirmed the former Hawthorn and North Melbourne star has yet to commit to either decision for 2023.

Last year, Gibson kicked 14 goals in 12 games, playing predominantly forward, including at times with a serious hamstring injury.

The club says at the moment it is 50-50 whether he returns.

“We are waiting to see what happens with Josh’s other commitments and how physically he comes up as well,” Ballarat Swans committee member Craig Lightfoot said.

“As everyone knows Gibbo was carrying a pretty significant hamstring injury for the second part of last year.

“If that’s good and if he has the time hopefully we’ll see him in a few games in red and white.

“If not, then I think he’ll be officially retired. We’re hopeful but he’s got to get a few things right and he’s got to have the time.”

In better news for the club their other former AFL player Andrew Hooper will return.

Hooper, who played seven games for the Western Bulldogs from 2010 to 2012, has been at the club since 2017 after playing for North Ballarat and Werribee in the VFL.

“Hoops is playing again and he’s actually had part of a season up in Darwin,” Lightfoot said.

“So we expect he’ll be fit an firing and raring to go.”

The club has also signed former Collingwood VFL player Callan Welling.

It comes after the Swans lost Sam James (Perth), Lachlan Dawson (Noosa) and Jack Blackburn (Barwon Heads).

The club is now looking to add a couple more signings to compliment the team it has.

“We’ve got a really good young side and a couple of good recruits as well,” he said.

“Lars Vidovic (from Deer Park) is a ripping young fellow who has come to us.

“We think he’ll be a good one. We’re still actively looking for one or two more (recruits).

“And I expect every other club is doing that as well.”

Ballarat starts their season on April 15 against Darley.

EARLIER

Ballarat Swans officials are preparing to make major changes to their home ground to allow the club to maximise its revenue opportunities.

The Ballarat league club is exploring a proposal to install temporary fencing at Alfredton Reserve — which would create one entry and exit point at the venue — for the 2023 season.

The potential move would also allow the club to host finals later in the year.

Currently, the venue has several access points — meaning the Swans are missing out on vital funding.

“It’s not just finals, home-and-away games are the main part for us,” Swans committee member Craig Lightfoot said.

“We know as a club we have a significant number of people who walk in the uncontrolled access points and don’t pay to get in.

“Our gate taking is half of other clubs.”

A map of the Alfredton Reserve which shows, with white circles, where the temporary fencing would be placed if the clubs proposal is successful. Picture: Ballarat Swans Football Netball Club.

The proposal would see temporary fencing erected in four areas of the ground from 8.30am on game day until around 3pm during the home-and-away seasons.

Those areas include Jacob Court, Cuthberts Road near the bowls club, Merino Drive and Cheviot Court.

This would leave Cuthberts Road, the main entry point, as the only way in and out.

The Swans met with the City of Ballarat Council, who own the ground, for consultation and now the public can have their say on the issue.

“They quite rightly said you’ll need to get some community input,” Lightfoot said.

“We’ve done that via a social media post.

“We did a letter drop to about 500 houses nearby, just informing them to what we are proposing.

“Depending on the feedback, be it positive or negative, or otherwise, we will have to present it back to the City of Ballarat and with the formal proposal to limit access to the reserve during those times discussed.

“We will then get a yay or nay for the council to do it.”

The Ballarat Swans huddle together during three quarter time in last year's final against Darley. Picture: Shane Jones.

Lightfoot said what the club was planning is not new in Ballarat.

“Without this plan it would be one less set of finals venues to have,” Lightfoot said.

“We think it is reasonable.

“It’s eight times a year for six-and-a half-hours a day.

“It is a sporting venue as well and Wendouree (Oval), Sebastopol (Marty Busch), City Oval, they all get closed off for these senior games as well.

“The Lake itself gets closed off for public access during rowing and sailing regattas.

“We’re not creating a new precedence here, this is bringing us into line with other public facilities in Ballarat that do get closed off for private events.”

If you want to have your say on the issue, you can either head to their Facebook post on the issue or email the club at [e-mail].

Consultations close on February 20 with a decision set to be handed down before the Swans first home game against Darley on April 15.