Sunbury FNC

Sunbury takes on North Ballarat on Saturday at 2.15pm at Mars Stadium

CLUB: SUNBURY

COACH: Travis Hodgson

FOR THE RECORD

(Scoop): Sunbury has lost six senior players in the off-season - what can you tell us about the new brigade that will help calm the nerves of Lions fans?

(Travis): Cooper Anderson is a key position half-forward on Essendon’s VFL list, Pat Scanlon is a tall key defender, Ben Toman is a big-bodied mid at 186cm, Matthew Medcalfe is a dangerous small forward and mid rotation, Lachy Byrne will provide distribution off half-back, while Blake Graham (utility) has had a solid pre-season. Mitch Lewis we're unlikely to see - he's a very good player at Port Melbourne. So, we've added height and rebound off half-back, firepower forward, and a big body into the midfield whose running capacity near rivals his brother (Ben and Daniel Toman).

(Scoop): It's your third season as coach of Sunbury, will this be your best chance at winning a flag? 

(Travis): I think so. We just missed out on a Prelim berth in 2019 and I reckon this group has a lot more upside.

(Scoop): I rated your 2022 draw the easiest of any clubs, but your opening two games - North Ballarat City (away) and Melton (away) will be tough. Will there be an added focus on the importance of these games in particular?

(Travis): Absolutely. The 2021 Minor Premiers away, then Melton away after the unveiling of their new facility to home fans won't be easy, not to mention our poor recent win/loss record against these two away from home. If we can be square with the ledger after Round Two, I’ll be happy.

IDENTIFIED STRENGTHS

(Travis): Our depth most certainly. Our Twos will be hard to beat. The gap between our 12th and 30th player isn't much and we're all the better for it. We're also confident in our running ability.

IMPROVEMENTS

(Travis):Connection. We were 1-5 after the opening six games last year, it did take us a while to get going.

PRE-SEASON TRAINING

(Travis): Big numbers are hitting the track, and the boys look pretty fit under fitness guru Andrew Hall. Our focus has been to build on the momentum of last season that saw us win four of our last five games.

DRAW COMMENTS:

(Travis): It's a good draw.

PLAYER INS:

Matthew Medkraft (Port Douglas), Ben Toman (overseas), Mitch Lewis (Port Melbourne VFL), Pat Scanlon (Rupertswood), Connor Lever (East Sunbury), Will Wright (East Sunbury), Lachy Byrne East Sunbury), Blake Graham (Ballan), Cooper Anderson (QAFL)

PLAYER OUTS:

Alik Magin (Qld), Mitch Conn (Sydney), Josh Goater (North Melbourne AFL), Luke Goater (Deer Park), Dylan Featon (Deer Park), Mick Edwards (Riddells Creek), Wade Derkson (WA)

VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS

Mitch Lewis (Port Melbourne), Jake Sutton (Essendon), Cooper Anderson (Essendon), Jayden Eales (Box Hill), Josh Guthrie (North Melbourne)

LIONS PASS MARK

(Travis): Win a final

IMPROVERS (OUTSIDE OF SUNBURY):

(Travis): Darley

FLAG TIP (OUTSIDE OF SUNBURY):

(Travis): North Ballarat City

BFNL media writer 'Scoop' has crunched the numbers on the proposed 2021 season draw, revealing who are the winners and who has drawn the wrath of the footy gods. Over the next few weeks, Scoop will deliver a deep dive into the season ahead for your club.

Redan can savour a second successive #1 rated draw, while Bacchus Marsh (#2) and Darley (#3) can breathe a sigh of relief having fared well according to the formulated study.

Melton (#11) appear to have copped the wrath of the footy gods with five 'away' highway trips to Ballarat, not to mention double-up meetings with four finalists from 2019, including Grand Final duo East Point and Sebastopol.

While Melton South's (#6) Ballarat travel diary mirrors the Bloods, the draw around that looks far more favourable for a team expected to rise. As for the reigning dual Premiers East Point (#8), they copped a draw worthy of a team aiming for a three-peat. Sebastopol (#4) will enjoy a dream run in the final third of their season, while North Ballarat (#5) fared next best out of brick city. With scope for improvement both on and off field, the Rooster’s draw sees them in the mix for a sneaky finals berth.

Lake Wendouree (#7) and more-so Ballarat (#10) appear to have the job ahead of them according to the formula, despite their marquee signings. Flag challengers, Sunbury (#9), finished mid-to-low table with the draw after a difficult rating in 2019. Tough luck for the Lions who’s 2020 draw (#4) was looking bright but, alas, COVID...

Analytics aside for a brief moment, how good is it - footy's back (well nearly)!

EASIEST TO HARDEST 2021 DRAW

1. Redan - 94

2. Bacchus Marsh - 97

3. Darley - 98

4. Sebastopol- 100

5. North Ballarat - 101

6. Melton South - 103

7. Lake Wendouree - 104

8. East Point - 105

9. Sunbury - 107

10. Ballarat - 109

11. Melton - 110

SEASON 2019 Ladder

1. East Point

2. Sebastopol

3. Melton

4. Redan

5. Darley

6. Sunbury

7. North Ballarat

8. Bacchus Marsh

9. Lake Wendouree

10. Ballarat

11. Melton South

(Draw ranking points are determined by 2018 & 2019 numbers, projected improvement, this year's travel and who your team plays twice.)

The McDonalds Ballarat FNL, in partnership with Ballarat Toyota is proud to promote the Toyota Good for Footy program to support community clubs in our league.

Toyota Good for Footy is Toyota's grassroots footy program. Toyota has helped clubs raise over $7 million since 2008 through the program and helped over 500 local clubs from every state and territory.

To buy tickets and support your local community club, follow this link here.

Following a successful return to senior finals after a three-year wait, the McDonald's Ballarat FNL is pleased to announce details of Week Two of the Carlton Draught Senior Finals series. 

In football, Semi Final Two, and the chance to progress directly to the 2022 Carlton Draught Grand Final will be held at Macpherson Park, Melton on Saturday 3rdSeptember 2022 following the success of the debut at this venue. Semi Final One will be held at City Oval, Ballarat on Sunday 4thSeptember 2022. 

Netball will see a slight variation with Semi Final One to be held at Macpherson Park, Melton Saturday 3rdSeptember and Semi Final Two, and the chance for Grand Final progression to be held Sunday 4thSeptember. 

Melton will have the chance to grab a Grand Final berth should they win Saturday; however, Sebastopol will be a formidable opponent standing in their way. In the other semi-final, Darley will travel to Ballarat and take on the Swans at City Oval, the scene of their nail-biting one-point win over the reigning premiers last week. 

With a full card of netball across both days and record crowds in Week One, the excitement continues to build as we head towards the 2022 Carlton Draught Grand Final on Saturday 17thSeptember. 

You can see the path to the Grand Final below and find the full schedule for Week Two of the 2022 Carlton Draught Finals Series below. Want to download the schedule? Hit the button at the end of the article or do what we do and make an easy link on our phone by selecting Add to Home Screen under the web address.