With preseason preparations well under way and Round 1 fast approaching, Scoops goes one-on-one with all 11 senior coaches ahead of the 2023 McDonalds BFNL season.
CLUB: Ballarat
COACH: Chris Maple (1st Season)
2022 Home & Away Record: 2nd (12-4 106.82%)
Scoop: Well Chris, firstly welcome to the BFNL coaching ranks. What were your first impressions of the Swans group?
Chris Maple: There has been a bit of a shift in the age profile. We'll be a lot younger this year. So far, I can tell you they're enthusiastic and eager to learn. Both very encouraging attributes to work with.
S: Is your role primarily to take the group another step beyond a preliminary final or is the focus more on development given some 13 players are expected up from the Under 19s this year?
CM: Well last year we had a much more experienced group and were able to win something in the vicinity of seven games by 10 points or less - all the close ones essentially. My role, given we have a significantly younger list, is to help set up the club, having the right roles in place for sustained future success.
S: Callan Wellings is a welcomed addition from Collingwood VFL. Tell us about him and what we can expect?
CM: He is a good ball user, has excellent leadership skills and is a quality person. Unfortunately for Callan he will miss the first month of the season due to a delayed surgery and travel commitments.
S: Bailey Van de Heuvel joins Geelong's VFL list but remains a Ballarat player. His presence will be a major boost for the group if/when available. What's your preferred position for Bailey given he can play a key role for you across any line?
CM: Defence. You want him where he plays his best footy.
S: You've lost a few impact players from last year, they're never easy to replace. What's a realistic ask for 2023? 12 wins was huge last year given Melton (14 in 2022) and East Point (13 in 2019) are the only other two sides to win 12 or more games in a season over the last 5 years.
CM: As I alluded to earlier, I’m not sure we win as many games last year without the older heads. It's all about getting more games into the younger players - that alone is an improvement wins and losses aside.
S: What are some of the identified strengths of the club?
CM: Quality youth, fit, skilled with healthy blend of experience.
S: Where do you expect to see your projected improvement come from?
CM: Getting more games into younger players.
S: How has pre-season training looked?
CM: The early signs have been encouraging. Enthusiastic bunch all eager to learn.
S: Who do you expect to be the biggest improvers this year? (Outside of your club)
CM: Sunbury or Darley.
S: Who is your flag tip? (Outside of your club)
CM: Melton and Sebastopol are the clear benchmarks.
KEY INS:
C. Wellings (Collingwood VFL), M. Bishop (returning).
KEY OUTS:
S. James (Perth), L. Dawson (Brisbane), A. Domic (Buninyong), J. Dunne (CHFL), J. Blackburn (Barwon Heads), A. McPherson, T. Sutton.
VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS:
B. Van de Heuvel (Geelong), T. Maple (Footscray), A. Bade (Footscray)
