Every Ballarat Football League club’s key ins and outs, premiership hopes
After a 574-day wait the Ballarat Football League is back. Check out every club’s key ins and outs and premiership hopes ahead of the new season. EVERY CLUB ANALYSED
Ballarat
Don't miss out on the headlines from Ballarat. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Ballarat Football League makes its long-awaited return, 574 days after it’s last match.
The competition will be fierce with players, coaches and fans champing at the bit to get back to action.
CHECK OUT OUR CLUB-BY-CLUB SEASON PREVIEWS BELOW
There’s some big name additions on and off the field this season that are sure to take the competition to a new level.
After 18 months out it will be hard to predict what will happen but there’s nothing wrong with that.
WHAT TO EXPECT
An East Point three-peat?
It’s a good chance but there’s 10 other clubs that will have a say about that.
The Roos look strong again and with Jake Bridges at the helm will be cherry ripe come the business end of the season.
Sebastopol was the fairytale story of 2019 but are no longer the unknown and along with the likes of Melton, Darley and Redan appear to be the main challengers.
Sunbury has lost a heap of talent since it’s 13-win season in 2019 but remains in the conversation.
Meanwhile, North Ballarat and Ballarat are seen as the two big risers in 2021 having appointed AFL premiership winner Brendan McCartney as coach and signed three-time Hawthorn premiership star Josh Gibson respectively.
Bacchus Marsh too will be looking to push back up the ladder this season after a disappointing 2019 campaign, making as many as nine teams fighting for six finals spots.
That leaves Lake Wendoree and Melton South.
Both clubs will be tough to beat on their day but have some development to do before potentially challenging for finals.
EAST POINT
Last season: Premiers
Coach: Jake Bridges (fifth season)
Key Player: Joel Ottavi
Led by Ottavi, the Kangaroos boasted an attack almost 100 points better than its nearest rival in 2019. Along with Jordan Johnston and Brad Whittaker, the East Point forward line was near unstoppable and it will again be critical in 2021.
Big In: Aaron Hayes Big Out: Daniel Tung
Like East Point really needed any reinforcements it went out and snared Kyabram premiership winner Hayes as well as James Lukich, and Jack and Harry Ganley. Hayes will add another string to the Roos midfield. Daniel Tung is the only premiership player to have departed and that was due to work commitments.
Preview: A three-peat? It’s looking pretty good all things considered. However, footy has a funny way of levelling the playing field and there’s no shortage of challengers in the BFL. However, without any major losses and the addition of several strong players it’s hard to see East Point being toppled.
SEBASTOPOL
Last season: Grand finalist
Coach: Michael Searl (first season)
Key Player: Tony Lockyer
The Burras main man will again be crucial to the club’s premiership hopes. Lockyer was pipped for the BFL Henderson Medal last year after a stellar season and we can expect him to be among the top vote-getters again in 2021.
Big In: Michael Lockyer Big Out: Tom Petersen
Another Lockyer in Sebas colours? Yes, please. Michael, cousin of Tony, had signed up for the 2020 season but will finally get his chance on Saturday. Lockyer is a two-time Mininera District league best-and-fairest winner and has kicked 214 goals in the past three season. However, Petersen is a major loss. The Burras skipper was a key player in the club’s surge up the ladder in 2019 and together with ruckman Toby Thoolen will be missed on and off the field.
Preview: Petersen and Thoolen there’s plenty to like about the Burras in 2021 and they appear East Point’s biggest challenge. However, the club is no longer the surprise packet it was in 2019, rivals will have done their homework in the 18 months since the grand final and first-year coach Michael Searl will have his work cut out repeating the club’s stunning success. Almost certain to finish top three but can it win the big matches come September?
DARLEY
Last season: Fifth
Coach: Dan Roy (first season)
Key Player: Darren Leonard
The star defender will again be the cornerstone of Darley’s season. Together with Shane Page, Leonard helped Darley post the fourth best defensive record in the competition in 2019.
Big In: Mitch Banner Big Out: Nick Graham
One ex-AFL player in, another out. The addition of Banner has squared the loss of Graham for 2021. Banner returns to Darley from VAFA club Old Melburnians having previous played with the Devils in 2016. Graham, who finished sixth in the 2019 Henderson Medal count, and his brother Brian had signed with West Footscray for 2020 but will now play for Spotswood and Sunshine respectively in the WRFL.
Preview: The Devils finished with as many wins as minor premier East Point but percentage saw them pushed into a sudden-death elimination final and that was that for season 2019 as Redan sprung the upset. In 2021 new coach Dan Roy has high expectations saying its finals or bust for his club. That should be an issue for Darley, the question is what can they do in the post season.
SUNBURY
Last season: Sixth
Coach: Travis Hodgson (second season)
Key Player: Alik Magin
The reigning Henderson Medallist will have even more responsibility on his shoulders in 2021 after several key midfield departures. Magin will have a target on his back from rival coaches looking to stop his excellence around the ball and will need support if he’s to repeat his outstanding 2019 performances.
Big In: Tyson Lever Big Out: Lachlan Bramble
Sunbury has been gutted in the past 18 months headlined by Bramble’s rise to Hawthorn’s AFL list. The Lions are of course delighted for their star midfielder. Jack and Dylan Landt and Grant Valles have also departed, while Mitch Conn will travel back-and-forth from Sydney. On the flip side, Lever’s arrival full-time from VFL club Coburg is a massive boost to the Lions backline. David Kovacevic has arrived and the likes of Daniel Toman, Haydn Ross, Wade Derksen and Mathew Medcraft return after signing in 2020.
Preview: Sunbury was primed for a genuine flag tilt in 2020 but it’s gone pear-shaped for coach Travis Hodgson. The Lions were devastated to crash out in the elimination final in 2019 and were desperate to atone. Of course, it’s not all doom and gloom, there’s still plenty of talent at Clarke Oval and Sunbury will be certain finals challengers this season but it’s hard to see it repeating its 13-win season.
MELTON
Last season: Third
Coach: Aaron Tymms (third season)
Key Player: Liam Carter
Carter enjoyed a breakout season in 2019, playing all 19 games and kicking 29 goals. He’ll be called on to take another step forward in 2021 if the Bloods are to stay at the pointy end of the ladder.
Big In: Kevin Klix Big Out: Shaun Campbell
One of the best players in the competition, Shaun Campbell is a huge loss. With the Victorian season cancelled he returned to Wagga Tigers and won a premiership last year and would have been cherry ripe for 2021. However, securing Klix’s signature is certainly nothing to sneeze at. The two-time premiership winner at Deer Park makes Melton’s forward line far more dangerous while former Western Jets prospect Lachlan Phillips is also a handy in.
Preview: They’ll be thereabouts again, the Bloods. The past two seasons have been heartbreaking with grand final and preliminary final losses. However, the club has the talent to challenge East Point and actually beat the Kangaroos on their home turf in 2019. Tymms has been in the job long enough now to know how to get his team through the home-and-away season and ready for the business end.
REDAN
Last season: Fourth
Coach: Jarrett Giampaolo (second season)
Key Player: Lachlan George
The star onballer finished equal fourth in the Henderson Medal in 2019 after another outstanding campaign with the Lions. One of the best onballers in the competition, George’s ability to extricate the pill from the pack and deliver will be critical to Redan’s hopes.
Big In: Chris Giampaolo Big Out: N/A
It’s been a reasonably stable 18 months for Redan with no major departures from 2019 and the return of Giampaolo and Tom Lamb and arrival of Colby McDonald. Giampaolo is a four-time Ballarat inter-league representative and previously played VFL with North Ballarat.
Preview: Redan has its sights set on a premiership and why not after adding some quality recruits to a list that had the second best attacking record in 2019 and won a sudden-death elimination final on the road. It’s going to get tight at the top and the Lions are set to feature prominently.
NORTH BALLARAT
Last season: Seventh
Coach: Brendan McCartney (first season)
Key Player: Simon McCartin
The 2019 best-and-fairest winner has overcome osteitis pubis and looks on track for 2021. He’ll be critical to the Roosters hopes to returning to finals action.
Big In: Sam Glover Big Out: Ben Simpson
Glover has switched local allegiances from Northern league power West Preston-Lakeside but remains a key part of Collingwood’s VFL set up. However, depending on injuries and the Magpies finals prospects, Glover could become a handy late-season addition. Simpson will be hard to replace with the BFL inter-league defender holding down a key role in North’s backline having previously played NAB League and VFL.
Preview: Brendan McCartney is doing what’s he’s best known for, developing young talent into elite talent. As such it's a wait and see on North Ballarat who are arguably the biggest unknown commodity in the competition. The Roosters could shock everyone and charge back to finals or take a year to adjust to McCartney’s long-term plan.
BACCHUS MARSH
Last season: Eighth
Coach: Tom German (first year)
Key Player: Daniel Burton
One of the best big men in the competition, Burton has the ability to lift Bacchus Marsh back into finals contention with a standout season. The 2018 Henderson Medal winner was named in the Cobras’ best 11 times in 15 games last season and best-on-ground in six highlighting his importance.
Big In: Jaidyn Owen Big Out: Liam Mullen
Key forward Jaidyn Owen joins his brother Jake to form the bookends of Bacchus Marsh’s line-up this season. Owen might have only kicked 11 goals for Gisborne last season but helped Pat McKenna establish himself as the dominant forward in the competition. Mullen has been a mainstay of the Cobras line-up for several years, playing at least 15 games every year since 2015. He’ll join Hampden league power South Warrnambool.
Preview: Tom German has his work cut out lifting Bacchus Marsh back into the BFL finals race and it might take a year or two to fully bed down his plan. That said, the Cobras will be far from easybeats and have more than enough talent to beat any team in the competition if taken lightly. Like the club’s nickname suggests, don’t take your eyes off the snake or you’ll pay dearly.
LAKE WENDOUREE
Last season: Ninth
Coach: Dale Power (fourth season)
Key Player: Steve Hutchinson
The 2014 Henderson Medallist made the surprise move to Lake Wendouree in 2019 and proved a valuable addition on and off the field. Hutchinson gave the Lakers some much-needed experience in the middle of the park and was Power’s senior assistant. He’ll have more support in 2021, which will reduce the pressure on his ball-winning abilities.
Big In: Nick Rippon Big Out: Bailey Edwards
Rippon adds instant credibility to Lake’s midfield having joined the club full-time after a decorated VFL career. The star midfielder won the JJ Liston Trophy in 2015 while with North Ballarat and claimed North Melbourne inaugural VFL B&F in 2018. Edwards was one of the Lakers most consistent performers in 2019, kicking 10 goals and being named in the club’s best nine times in 16 games.
Preview: The Lakers are building but the addition of Rippon and Brayden Helyar from Geelong’s VFL team, the return of Zane Thomson and possibly ex-Western Bulldog Fergus Greene – when not on Box Hill VFL duties – could certainly fast-track the club’s development. Finals might be a bit of a stretch but there are certainly promising signs at Wendouree Reserve.
BALLARAT
Last season: 10th
Coach: Joe Carmody (second season)
Key Player: Andrew Hooper
The star goalkicker did what he does best in 2019, made defenders look silly with a league-leading 41 goals in just 16 games. The former Western Bulldogs forward kicked two bags of six and amazingly seven against East Point.
Big In: Josh Gibson Big Out: Nick O’Farrell
Undoubtedly, the signing of the off-season. Who would have guessed three-time AFL premiership-winner Josh Gibson going for a jog would end up with him pulling the boots back on to join Ballarat. He’ll be joined Central Highlands league representative Jake Dunne and the returning Nathan Patrikeos from CHFL premier Waubra. O’Farrell has been a Swans mainstay since debuting in 2013 but departs to join Torquay.
Preview: The Swans are being touted as the big riser in 2021 after netting Gibson and adding some additional quality to a list that won just three games in 2019. A jump up the ladder is no doubt possible but it would take something special for the club to challenge for finals.
MELTON SOUTH
Last season: 11th
Coach: Heath Pritchard (third season)
Key Player: Dylan Conway
The star goalkicker has signed with South full-time after stepping away from VFL club Port Melbourne. Conway kicked 17 goals in just four games in 2019 and if he can replicate that form across a full season the Panthers might just be winning more games than they lose.
Big In: Ryan Pendlebury Big Out: Paul Bower
Melton South were hoping Pendlebury might be a full-time player but he will suit up for Werribee in 2021. However, when he does return he’ll play a key role in defence and help develop the club’s next generation. The loss of reigning club best-and-fairest Paul Bower will be keenly felt after he returned home to Western Australia. The former Carlton player made 13 appearances in his only season at the club. Meanwhile, 2020 signing Shannan Lange never got to play a game, instead returning home to his junior club Sale.
Preview: The only way is up for Melton South and there are signs the club will certainly be more competitive than 2019 when it won just two games. The addition of Conway full-time cannot be underestimated and while he might not play too many games Pendlebury will still have a positive impact on the club. The Panthers will continue to develop in the hope of challenging for finals in the years to come.
MUST-WATCH GAMES TO START THE SEASON
EAST POINT v SEBASTOPOL, ROUND 1
It doesn’t get much bigger than a season-opening grand final rematch. The Kangaroos will unfurl their 2019 premiership flag and the Burras will be looking to crash the party. Expect a big crowd at Eastern Oval for what should be – weather permitting – one of the games of the season.
MELTON v MELTON SOUTH, ROUND 1
She’ll be pretty quiet on High Street on Saturday with the Melton derby to welcome footy’s return to the town. The cross-town rivals had contrasting seasons in 2019 but as with all derbies, form lines don’t generally seem to matter and this one promises to be a belter.
SUNBURY v MELTON, ROUND 2
A rematch of 2019’s elimination final that saw the Bloods trump the favoured Lions. Sunbury will be keen to atone for the loss, which saw it crash out of the premiership race despite winning as many games as minor premier East Point. Melton will be keen to inflict more pain.
NORTH BALLARAT v BALLARAT, ROUND 2
The rivalries keep coming in Round 2 with the Roosters hosting the Swans. It will be Brendan McCartney’s first game at Mars Stadium and with Josh Gibson expected to be in the Swans’ line-up it should draw a strong crowd.
EAST POINT v SUNBURY, ROUND 3
The Lions were one of one of the few teams to trouble East Point in 2019, losing by just five points and winning the return bout by 16. However, things have changed dramatically for Sunbury since and the clash will give coach Travis Hodgson an idea of where he’s squad sits.
LADDER PREDICTION
Delisted Essendon speedster finds new footy home
Former Essendon utility Nick Hind has found his newest footballing home in a move which will help form one of local footy’s best duos. Here is what we know.
Former VFL coach signs with major country league team
A former Box Hill coach will move west next season after signing for a major country league team. Here is what we know.