Sebastopol host Darley at Marty Busch Reserve at 2.15pm on Saturday - live-streamed to the BFNL Facebook page
CLUB: SEBASTOPOL
COACH: Michael Searle
FOR THE RECORD
(Scoop): Injuries were near as contagious as COVID for the 'Burra in 2021, how is the club shaping up on the injury front ahead of Round One against the Devils?
(Michael): Our injuries were a reflection on the nature of footy during COVID. I'm sure it was the same for a lot of teams - the struggle to get their best 22 on the park. We're in a good space at the moment. We'll continue to manage players through the practice matches but we should be ready to go for Round One.
(Scoop): The club has done well retaining nearly all of its senior playing group from last season. Is there a sense of unfinished business after coming so close in 2019?
(Michael): That's a fair call. We've been open with discussions about how far this group can or wants to go. We're under no illusions, it's going to take a lot of hard work and commitment taking the next step. We haven't been far away in our last two seasons, and we're confident our Premiership window remains well and truly open.
(Scoop): You have some enviable depth through the midfield, can we expect to see more of Luke Kiel across half back - it seemed to work well given the absence of an injured Tony Lockyer in 2021?
(Michael): Yes, absolutely. Luke can take a bit of the (leadership) pressure off Tony in defence. He'll still go through the midfield, but you can expect to see Luke spending more time off half back.
IDENTIFIED STRENGTHS
(Michael): Competitiveness, work rate, general evenness, depth.
IMPROVEMENTS
(Michael): I think you'll see some genuine growth and improvement from within this year, as the players themselves drive higher standards and expectation on their own performance. On the track we've been working on our effectiveness at the fall of the ball, an area we were lacking in last year.
PRE-SEASON TRAINING
(Michael): We've put together a solid block of work over the summer. Fitness advisor Scott Smith has done a terrific job getting the boys well-conditioned ahead of the new season. It's something new for the club to go along the sports science path and I’m very pleased with how it's all played out.
DRAW COMMENTS
(Michael): Fine, all good.
PLAYER INS:
Dean Robertson (Waubra) - back up ruckman for Jack Richards, Brad Veale (Bungaree) - in best 22 mid/forward rotation, Will Lovett (Bungaree), Jordan Crone (Bungaree)
PLAYER OUTS:
Nick Hausler (Qld), Michael Lockyer
VFL AFFILIATED PLAYERS:
None
SEBASTOPOL PASS MARK:
(Michael): Top 4
IMPROVERS (OUTSIDE OF SEBASTOPOL):
(Michael): Darley
FLAG TIP (OUTSIDE OF SEBASTOPOL):
(Michael): North Ballarat City
