All the major ins and season predictions for the Ballarat Football League

The Ballarat Football League kicks off on Saturday and we’ve named all the big recruits and made our season predictions for every club.

The Ballarat Football League has had a big summer.

A influx of talent, coaching changes and more sets up one of the most intriguing seasons in recent years.

Can anyone challenge Brendan McCartney’s North Ballarat for the premiership?

How will the race for the top-six play out with last season decided by the smallest of percentages.

Check out all the big recruits and season predictions for every club below.

Jack Williams (right) during his time at Werribee. Picture: Mark Dadswell

BACCHUS MARSH

Last year: Seventh (5-5, 97.92%)

Captain: Jake Owen Coach: Tom German

Big in: Jack Williams (Camperdown)

Williams could be the sneaky, under-the-radar recruit of the season. Won a Camperdown best-and-fairest as a 20-year-old before earning a VFL contract at Werribee and was the Tigers’ development league best-and-fairest in 2018. Arrives at Maddingley with mate and Werribee and Camperdown teammate Jason Robinson to add some class to the Cobras’ backline. Having captain Melton Centrals for the past couple of seasons Daniel Foley returns, while up forward Rex Hickman adds scoring power and takes pressure off twin towers skipper Jake Owen and Aaron Willitts. Owen’s brother Jayden has returned to Gisborne.

Star player: Daniel Burton

Has been a star of the competition for a number of years, winning the Henderson Medal in 2018, and he very nearly added a second in 2021. The ruckman finished third in the count last season behind Sebas’ Lachlan Cassidy and was named first ruck in the BFL Team of the Year. Expect him to once again be a critical part in Bacchus Marsh’s plans.

Verdict: A loss in what proved to be the final match of the season saw Bacchus Marsh drop to seventh on percentage but the Cobras had been a top-four team for much of the season. Finals will be high on the priority list this season, especially with some smart recruiting over summer and some valuable lessons learnt from a disappointing finish. Cobras coach Tom German said in such an even competition his team can’t afford to take any team lightly.

BALLARAT

Last year: 5th (5-5, 109.57%)

Captain: Sam James Coach: Joe Carmody

Big in: Aiden Domic (Bell Park/Werribee VFL)

Domic looms as a major acquisition for the Swans with his big body set to provide a much needed presence in the middle of the ground. He is a former GWV Rebel who averaged a goal a game in the Geelong league last season. Nick Swain, from Anglesea, is the club’s other major recruit. Mitch Martin has departed the club after moving interstate while the VFL listed Lachie Dawson has elected to align with Craigieburn.

Star player: Andrew Hooper

In the two seasons Hooper has played with the club he has 61 goals from 21 games to his name. The biggest thing for him will be his ability to stay on the park. He could easily challenge for the league’s goalkicking award if he plays most games.

Verdict: The biggest challenge for Carmody’s side is whether they can take another step in their development after making big improvements in 2021. They’ll be hoping to have greater access to Hooper and Josh Gibson, who played just four games last year. Given the expected rise of some of the teams around them on the ladder, Ballarat could be facing a lot of “eight point” games throughout the season.

DARLEY

Last year: 11th (0-10, 55.32%)

Captain: Brett Bewley Coach: Dan Jordan

Big in: Brett Bewley (Fremantle, AFL)

Hard to go past the Devils junior as arguably the entire competition’s biggest recruit of the off-season. Bewley returns to Darley Park as a one-point player, which is pretty handy. He’ll add immediate class, hardness and ball-winning ability to the midfield. And he’ll have a shiny new key forward to kick at as well with old Williamstown running mate Nick Rodda joining full-time. Add in Essendon VFL-listed midfielder Dylan Landt and things are looking up. The additions will off-set the loss of Henderson Medallist Jake Edwards, who has moved to Queensland, and Ryan Kemp, who is trying his hand at WAFL club Swan Districts.

Star player: Nick Rodda

A full-time Devil in 2022 after 70 goals in 41 VFL games for Williamstown. Rodda proved himself one of the VFL’s most dangerous forwards and now sets his sights on the Ballarat Football League. Darley’s improved midfield should ensure he receives enough supply to hit the scoreboard regularly. Playing under legendary BFL forward Dan Jordan, he’s sure to get some handy tips.

Verdict: The only way is up for Darley after a winless 2021 campaign and the club has improved significantly over summer. Bewley’s return and Dan Jordan’s appointment alone are massive boosts to the club’s ambitions. Add in Rodda, Landt and the continued improvement of the club’s juniors - coached by Doug Hawkins last season - and the Devils will be a far tougher assignment.

EAST POINT

Last year: 3rd (6-4, 140.87%)

Captain: TBC Coach: Jake Bridges

Big in: Jackson Merrett (WAFL)

Merrett is a big signing for the Roos as they look to challenge for a premiership in 2022. He adds some more class to an East Point midfield which already was one of the best in the competition. Tom Browne has arrived from Hepburn to join his brother Jacob while Billy Watkins has returned from time away. The departures of Billy Jones, Joel Ottavi and Jake McQueen are three big holes which will need to be filled.

Star player: Jordan Johnston

Returning to the club on a full-time basis is an added bonus on top of Merrett’s arrival at the club. He is an impressive mover and will be able to find plenty of the footy. There will also be some brotherly love with Matt who took out the club’s best and fairest last year.

Verdict: After finishing in the upper part of the ladder in 2021, there’s no reason to suggest the Kangas won’t be there again. With Ottavi having departed the club they’ll be looking to find a way to replace the 30 goals he kicked in just four games last year. But with so much talent in the middle of the ground, there’s every possibility the midfielders could hit the scoreboard in a big way.

LAKE WENDOUREE

Last year: 9th (4-6, 78.99%)

Captain: Joel O’Connell Coach: Jack Fitzpatrick

Big in: Scott Carlin (Nirranda)

Carlin returned to the Lakers in February with a Warrnambool and District league medal to his name after a standout season in the state’s southwest. He may miss game’s during the year however after earning a place on Geelong VFL list. Some important players from last season have departed the club including Jacob Lohmann

Star player: Nick Rippon

After returning to the club last season, Rippon showed he is a class act with 12 goals from 10 appearances. He will play a key role in his side’s bid to improve in 2021 especially with key departures in the off-season.

Verdict: After taking over from Dale Power, who was in charge for four seasons, Fitzpatrick has a big task on his hands to get improvement out of this group. The Lakers will be one of the youngest sides in the competition but as they showed last year, when they upset North Ballarat, their best footy is good enough. It’s a question of just how often we will see it.

MELTON

Last year: Second (8-2, 136.25%)

Captain: Braeden Kight Coach: Aaron Tymms

Big in: Brenton Payne (Hoppers Crossing)

Any time a club can secure ex-AFL talent it’s a boost, it’s even better when that talent is a club junior and one-point player. Payne, formerly on St Kilda’s rookie list, returns to the Bloods in 2022 after a season with Hoppers Crossing in the WRFL. At 193cm, Payne can hold down a key position post or even run through the midfield with his versatility to be an invaluable weapon for coach Aaron Tymms. Mark Orr’s return from New Zealand helps soften the blow of Ben Archard’s return to Cohuna, while small forward Kevin Klix has crossed to Airport West.

Star player: Braeden Kight

The Bloods skipper finished fourth in the Tony Lockett Medal race last season with 24 goals in 10 games and will again spearhead Melton’s attack in 2022. Capable of kicking goals or creating them, Kight will have plenty of help from Ryan and Liam Carter who both finished in the competition’s top-10 goalkickers.

Verdict: A top-four finish is the minimum according to coach Aaron Tymms. Melton pushed North Ballarat all season for that top spot and came within 20 points of the Roosters in their one home-and-away encounter. A few clubs have joined the premiership race this season and Melton will be the hunted but, led by Kight, Henderson Medal runner-up Jack Walker and Team of the Year teammate Jordyn Cotter, there’s plenty of talent and depth at MacPherson Park.

MELTON SOUTH

Last year: 10th (3-7, 63.69%)

Captain: Shaun Wyatt Coach: Heath Pritchard

Big in: Dylan Jones (Williamstown CYMS)

The St Kevin’s and Williamstown CYMS premiership ruckman has made an instant impact at South. Jones will certainly give the Panthers’ midfield a signficant boost with his ability to win taps, follow up and impact around the ground. Fellow recruit Ben Casley gives the club another star tall having moved back to Melbourne from Sydney and can play either centre half-forward or centre half-back. Both come with VFL experience at Werribee and Williamstown respectively. A couple of big outs will hurt with Brad Olsson returning to Old Xavs in the VAFA and Ryan Pendlebury swapping Melbourne’s outer west for Gippsland at Sale. Meanwhile, Paul Curtis was drafted by North Melbourne.

Star player: Dylan Conway

What a debut season for the former VFL forward. Despite the Panthers winning only three games Conway was dominant in the 50m arc, booting 35 goals from 10 games to claim the Tony Lockett Medal as the league’s leading goalkicker. Will potentially get some much-needed assistance from Williamstown teammate Ben Casley but proved in 2021 that he can kick and create goals on his own.

Verdict: Melton South coach Heath Pritchard has been buoyed by the club’s pre-season preparations, narrowly losing to Southern powerhouse St Kilda City and EDFL Premier club Glenroy. With the inclusion of Jones and Casley, Conway’s continued strong form and development of the club’s youth, the Panthers have set their signs on a jump up the ladder in 2022.

Melton South junior Paul Curtis in action for North Melbourne. Picture: Michael Klein

NORTH BALLARAT

Last year: 1st (9-1, 156.51%

Captain: Simon McCartin. Coach: Brendan McCartney.

Big in: Nil.

The Roosters have quietly been going about their business in the off-season with the club’s talented juniors set to be given a chance to pit their names up in lights. The biggest loss for McCartney’s side is the departure of Daniel Jones for Beaufort.

Star player: Johnathan O’Brien

After finishing as runner-up in last season’s club best and fairest, O’Brien will again play an important role in his side’s premiership hopes. With best and fairest Riley Polkinghorne working his way onto a VFL list, there could be more responsibility cast onto the shoulders of the reliable O’Brien.

Verdict: North Ballarat will feel like they are making up for lost time after Covid cost them a chance of making a premiership run in 2021. With a similar list to last season, there’s no reason McCartney’s side won’t be in contention at the pointy end of the season. But it could all depend on just how often the likes of Polkinghorne are given the chance to play at local level.

REDAN

Last year: 8th (5-5, 88.96)

Captain: TBC Coach: Jarrett Giampaolo

Big in: Lincoln Barnes (Waubra)

Barnes arrives at the club after enjoying a successful stint in the Central Highlands league where he won a premiership with his former club in 2019. He will be joined by good mate Jacob Werts who has previously played for North Ballarat Roosters. Although there have been more outgoings with Patrick Britt, Zac Jenkins and Jack Jess all leaving since the end of last season.

Star player: Craig Cooper-Peters

Currently on Footsrcay’s VFL list it remains to be seen just how much the Lions see of their star man this season. He would be a big loss considering he was named in the league’s Team of the Year last season and was named in the best seven times for his side.

Verdict: Youth is the flavour of the month at the Lions who will be backing in their talented youngsters to take the step up in class and fill the gaps left by the departures. Barnes and Werts are both solid signings but will it be enough to help Redan make a finals push remains to be seen.

SEBASTOPOL

Last year: 4th (5-5, 127.61)

Captain: Tony Lockyer Coach: Michael Searl

Big in: Dean Robertson (Waubra)

Big man Robertson has arrived at the club and already added some significant depth to the Burra’s ruck stocks and could also spend time forward. Former juniors Will Lovett and Bailey Veale have joined him.

Star player: Lachlan Cassidy

Cassidy took home the Henderson Medal in 2021 after a dominant season and there’s no reason to suggest he won’t be in contention for the award again. With several key players returning from injury, he could have a lot less attention on him which might allow him to thrive.

Verdict: Sebas were well below their own standards last year after slipping to fourth on the ladder but injuries played a role in their fall. With stars including Tony Lockyer hopeful of playing more footy there’s no reason we won’t see Searl’s side in premiership contention at the end of the season. Although, they’ll be wanting to hit the ground running after a slow pre-season.

SUNBURY

Last year: Sixth (6-6, 100.62%)

Captain: Daniel Toman Coach: Travis Hodgson

Big in: Jarrah Maksymow

The talented goalkicker played in the Lions last practice match and looks set to return after last playing for the club in 2019. Maksymow would be a strong addition to Sunbury’s attack, which was the third worst in the competition last season. Ben Toman joins brother and captain Daniel at Clarke Oval, adding some much-needed class to the engineroom after Alik Magin, Lachie Bramble and Mitch Conn departed before 2021 began. Matthew Medcraft has returned from Queensland but the loss of Michael Edwards to Riddell is a blow.

Star player: Tyson Lever

Hard to go past the former Coburg VFL defender who was Sunbury’s sole Team of the Year player and took home the Lions’ best-and-fairest after an impressive campaign. Will again be relied on to hold the fort down back this season with his intercept-marking prowess putting him on the top shelf for backmen in the competition.

Verdict: If coach Travis Hodgson can engineer a sixth-placed finish after losing the likes of Conn, Magin and Bramble - not to mention ruckman Jayden Eales to a knee injury - on the eve of the season anything is possible for the Lions. In positive news, Eales is a couple of weeks away from resuming. Sunbury faces a daunting start with road trips to North Ballarat and Ballarat before a double bye due to the Easter break. However, the Lions caught fire in the second half of 2021 and expect them to fire up after the break.