How does each BFL team fare in the early days of the year?
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David Brehaut casts an eye over each team so far.
DARLEY
First
Played 6 games: six wins, 0 losses
STATUS
A new-look Devils have cast aside the demons of last season and under the guidance of Heath Scotland quickly established themselves as a major premiership contender.
An influx of new blood has gelled together quickly.
The Devils have had a couple of disciplinary issues with suspensions to high profile players and a few injuries, but Darley has been overcome these with authority.
Darley has made big statements with wins over Bacchus Marsh and Melton South, and it faces another test against Lake Wendouree next up.
With a midfield running deeper than anyone else, get through this game and who knows if anyone will be able to stop them.
Right now Darley is the BFL's "wow" factor.
MATCH-WINNERS
Brian Graham, Chris Graham, Dan Roy, Kyle Docherty
X-FACTORS
Darren Leonard, Heath Scotland
ROAD AHEAD
June 10: Lake Wendouree (h)
June 17: bye
June 24: Ballarat (h)
July 1: Redan (a)
July 8: North Ballarat City (h)
July 15: bye
July 22: Sebastopol (h)
July 29: East Point (h)
August 5: Bacchus Marsh (a)
August 12: Sunbury (h)
August 19: Ballarat (a)
August 26: Melton South (a)
PREDICTOR (best case scenario) - 16 wins
Being unbeaten, has the form to suggest it could go through the home and away season undefeated.
FINAL WORD
Will finish in the top three - most likely two.
PREMIERSHIP ODDS (Sportsbet):$3
LAKE WENDOUREE
Second
Played 6 games: six wins, 0 losses
STATUS
The Lakers could not have done any more than they have.
At the end of the day all you can do is win, but Lake Wendouree has done it without reaching the heights it is going to need to produce if it is to land a flag.
Redan forced Lakers to find that bit extra in the opening round, and the experience and talent they have suggests this is exactly what it will do when the likes Darley and Bacchus Marsh put on the heat.
There is still a bit of the unknown about Lake Wendouree, with the biggest query being its goalkicking power.
What it does not lack though is midfield talent and a physical hardness matched by few - an asset which will take them deep into the year.
If an unbeaten team can be a quiet achiever, the Lakers are just that.
MATCH-WINNERS
Nick Peters, Steve Clifton, Nathan Pring, Lucas Anderson
X-FACTORS
Ben Hayes, Ben Taylor
ROAD AHEAD
June 10: Darley (a)
June 17: Bacchus Marsh (a)
June 24: bye
July 1: Melton South (h)
July 8: Ballarat (a)
July 15: North Ballarat City (a)
July 22: Bacchus Marsh (h)
July 29: Melton (h)
August 5: Sebastopol (a)
August 12: Redan (h)
August 19: bye
August 26: East Point (h)
PREDICTOR (best case scenario) - 16 wins
Undefeated to this point and has the potential to keep this record intact.
FINAL WORD
Should finish in the top three. Clashes with Darley and reigning premier Bacchus Marsh (twice) will determine exactly where.
PREMIERSHIP ODDS (Sportsbet): $3.75
BACCHUS MARSH
Third
Played 5 games: four wins, 1 loss, 1 bye
STATUS
The reigning premier learned quickly in a round one loss to Darley that the challenge of completing back-to-back flags would be hard-earned.
The Cobras importantly kept most of their premiership team intact and then topped it up with the class acts of Scott Sherlock and Dean Heta.
Coach Travis Hodgson has been able to introduce a few other new faces and all the key indicators show that Cobras are getting back to their 2016 form.
Their biggest challenge will be maintaining the hunger to climb the mountain again, but all the right signs are there.
MATCH-WINNERS
Jarrah Maksymow, Scott Sherlock, Daniel Burton, Tyson Shea
X-FACTORS
Declan Phyland, Alec Del Papa
ROAD AHEAD
June 10: North Ballarat City (a)
June 17: Lake Wendouree (h)
June 24: East Point (a)
July 1: Ballarat (h)
July 8: Sebastopol (a)
July 15: Melton (h)
July 22: Lake Wendouree (a)
July 29: Melton South (a)
August 5: Darley (h)
August 12: bye
August 19: Sebastopol (h)
August 26: Redan (a)
PREDICTOR (best case scenario) - 15 wins
Building into the type of form which means the Cobras could win the rest of their outings, although they have to tackle Darley again and Lake Wendouree twice.
FINAL WORD
Bacchus Marsh has what it takes to land another premiership. Top three certainty.
PREMIERSHIP ODDS (Sportsbet): $2.50 favourite
MELTON SOUTH
Fourth
Played 7 games: four wins, three losses, 1 bye
STATUS
The Panthers hit the home and away full of steam after a spectacular recruiting regime which landed Brendan Fevola as joint coach, and ex-Essendon players Tayte Pears and Nick Kommer.
There was no holding back with expectations, boasting the motto #lasttofirst after being winless last year.
Melton South deliberately built up the hype, but it was always going to be difficult to know exactly how far it would go.
There have been a few hiccups, the biggest being a thrashing at the hands of Darley.
However, the Panthers have done enough already to suggest they will play finals.
MATCH-WINNERS
Mark Lynch, Nick Kommer, Mitch Banner, Ben Sortino
X-FACTORS
Brendan Fevola, Tayte Pears
ROAD AHEAD
June 10: East Point (h)
June 17: Redan (a)
June 24: transferred to April 8
July 1: Lake Wendouree (a)
July 8: Sunbury (a)
July 15: Sebastopol (h)
July 22: transferred to April 14
July 29: Bacchus Marsh (h)
August 6: North Ballarat City (a)
August 12: bye
August 19: Melton (a)
August 26: Darley (h)
PREDICTOR (best case scenario) - 10 wins
The Panthers can reach this figure by beating the six teams sitting below on the ladder, which includes Redan. Sunbury and North Ballarat City could be X-factors.
FINAL WORD
Melton South has come on leaps and bounds, and so it should have, and there is plenty more improvement to come. Unsure whether that will be enough to threaten the big three.
PREMIERSHIP ODDS (Sportsbet): $11
REDAN
Fifth
Played 5 games: three wins, 2 losses, 1 bye
STATUS
There was some uncertainty as to where the Lions stood after a testing 2016.
While right now they look like finishing at the bottom end of the top six, coach Brendan Peace has them looking a potentially more potent outfit.
Losses to Lake Wendouree and Bacchus Marsh confirm that Redan is still just a little off the pace, but the impact that late acquisition ruckman Orren Stephenson could yet make the difference in lifting it to the next level.
Redan's class midfield holds the key to how far the Lions will be able to push.
There are many experienced and wise heads, making Redan one not to be underestimated.
MATCH-WINNERS
Callum Currie, Dean Mathews, Orren Stephenson, Nathan Horbury
X-FACTORS
Dean Chester, Liam Hoy
ROAD AHEAD
June 10: Sunbury (h)
June 17: Melton South (h)
June 24: Sebastopol (a)
July 1: Darley (h)
July 8: Melton (a)
July 15: Sunbury (a)
July 22: East Point (a)
July 29: North Ballarat City (h)
August 5: Ballarat (a)
August 12: Lake Wendouree (a)
August 19: bye
August 26: Bacchus Marsh (h)
PREDICTOR (best case scenario) - 11 wins
The Lions need to defeat everyone except the top three of Darley, Lake Wendouree and Bacchus Marsh, which includes a two meetings with Sunbury.
FINAL WORD
On track and will comfortably play finals, and as long as Melton South and Sunbury don't cause any grief a top four finish is on the cards.
PREMIERSHIP ODDS (Sportsbet): $7
SUNBURY
Sixth
Played 7 games: three wins, 4 losses
STATUS
Had a mass exodus of grand final players at the end of last season, whicdh was always going to put pressure on the Lions this year.
Coach Ben Jordan was always going to have a big job after a late appointment and consequently late entry in the recruiting game.
While it did not land any big names, Sunbury has put together an honest combination that has performed better than expected.
Things could fall its way as it does not face Bacchus Marsh or Darley again.
MATCH-WINNERS
Alik Magin, David Kovacevic, Grant Valles, Adam Short
X-FACTORS
Ben Said, Josh Guthrie
ROAD AHEAD
June 10: Redan (a)
June 17: Ballarat (a)
June 24: North Ballarat City (h)
July 1: bye
July 8: Melton South (h)
July 15: Redan (h)
July 22: transferred to April 14
July 29: Ballarat (h)
August 5: Melton (a)
August 12: Darley (a)
August 19: bye
August 26: Sebastopol (h)
PREDICTOR (best case scenario) - 9 wins
The Lions have a favourable draw with five match-ups against teams outside the top six to come. Also capable of an upset.
FINAL WORD
Going on Sunbury's formline it looks the most likely to make up the top six, but difficult to be completely convinced.
PREMIERSHIP ODDS (Sportsbet): $34
BALLARAT
Seventh
Played 6 games: two wins, 1 draw, 3 losses
STATUS
The Swans have made a solid start, but it could have been so much better.
Coach Shane Hutchinson still rues a draw with East Point and loss to Melton (the Bloods' only win to date).
Two wins there and it would have been a much different scenario, but the Swans are well aware that inconsistency can be the consequence of inexperience.
Ballarat's recruiting focus was on investing in youngsters and it has not hesitated adding further youth.
The Swans face an enormously tough mid-season run against Darley, Bacchus Marsh and Lake Wendouree in successive weeks, which will test their resolve.
MATCH-WINNERS
Shane Hutchinson, Nick Garner, Marcus Powling
X-FACTORS
Nick O'Farrell, Sam James
ROAD AHEAD
June 10: bye
June 17: Sunbury (h)
June 24: Darley (a)
July 1: Bacchus Marsh (a)
July 8: Lake Wendouree (h)
July 15: East Point (h)
July 23: North Ballarat City (a)
July 29: Sunbury (a)
August 5: Redan (h)
August 12: Sebastopol (a)
August 19: Darley (h)
August 26: bye
PREDICTOR (best case scenario) - 6 wins
Tough draw with two games against Darley and Sunbury still to come.
FINAL WORD
Potential for more upsets. It is a big ask to make finals, but if they can beat Sunbury twice the Swans could be a surprise packet.
PREMIERSHIP ODDS (Sportsbet): $34
NORTH BALLARAT CITY
Eighth
Played 6 games: 1 win, 5 losses, 1 bye
STATUS
North Ballarat City has had a forgettable first phase.
It had the perfect start by stopping Melton South in its tracks, but little has gone right since - not winning another game and suffering horrendous run of injuries which has stripped City back to bare bones.
Coach Jordyn Burke does not know what to think.
What it has done is open opportunities for youngsters and as Burke says this is the only way to go for the long-term good of the club.
There is going to be short-term pain, but with plenty of time still go all is not yet lost.
MATCH-WINNERS
Will Young, Derrick Micallef, Ryan Luke
X-FACTORS
Martin Curtis, Joe Symons
ROAD AHEAD
June 10: Bacchus Marsh (h)
June 17: Melton (h)
June 24: Sunbury (a)
July 1: Sebastopol (h)
July 8: Darley (a)
July 15: Lake Wendouree (h)
July 23: Ballarat (h)
July 29: Redan (a)
August 6: Melton South (h)
August 12: bye
August 19: East Point (a)
August 26: Melton (a)
PREDICTOR (best case scenario) - 7 wins
Favourable draw gives North Ballarat City a chance to finish the season strongly.
FINAL WORD
City finds itself in an awkward position, but has a run of games which if it responds in the right way could see it well and truly in the finals race.
PREMIERSHIP ODDS (Sportsbet):$26
MELTON
Ninth
Played 6 games: 1 win, 5 losses, 1 bye
STATUS
A disappointing start after a pre-season full of promise.
Coach Brad Murphy could not have been happier with the build-up, with the Bloods targeting and landing big-bodied recruits.
Unfortunately it has not come together on match days.
Injuries to key players such as Jake Gleeson and Jack Walker have not helped and either has having VFL and TAC Cup-listed players in and out of the side.
However, Melton just has not kicked on from a promising effort first-up against Melton South, even though that was a loss.
MATCH-WINNERS
Jake Gleeson, Ben Archard, Jack Walker
X-FACTORS
Lachlan Walker, Braedan Kight
ROAD AHEAD
June 10: Sebastopol (a)
June 17: North Ballarat City (a)
June 24: transferred to April 8
July 1: East Point (h)
July 9: Redan (h)
July 15: Bacchus Marsh (a)
July 22: bye
July 29: Lake Wendouree (a)
August 5: Sunbury (h)
August 12: East Point (a)
August 19: Melton South (h)
August 26: North Ballarat City (h)
PREDICTOR (best case scenario) - 6 wins
Two wins against East Point and North Ballarat City needed to get to this standing.
FINAL WORD
Finals just about look out of reach with too many big games to come.
PREMIERSHIP ODDS (Sportsbet): $51
EAST POINT
10th
Played 6 games: 1 win, 1 draw, 4 losses
STATUS
This was always going to be testing campaign for the Kangaroos after losing their way last year and then being drained of some frontline VFL-listed players.
Importantly, they have a patient new coach in Jake Bridges, who is well versed in teaching and knows from where they stand it will take time.
Having marquee recruit Rylan Ratley (broken ankle) suffer possibly a season-ending injury has not helped its cause.
Getting a win over North Ballarat City certainly provided a boost and ensured the Kangaroos more wins are on the horizon as they continue to develop a largely inexperienced list.
MATCH-WINNERS
Paul Koderenko, Daniel Tung, Bryson McDougall
X-FACTORS
Jake McQueen, Clay Bilney
ROAD AHEAD
June 10: Melton South (a)
June 17: Sebastopol (h)
June 24: Bacchus Marsh (h)
July 1: Melton (a)
July 8: bye
July 15: Ballarat (a)
July 22: Redan (h)
July 29: Darley (a)
August 5: bye
August 12: Melton (h)
August 19: North Ballarat City (h)
August 26: Lake Wendouree (a)
PREDICTOR (best case scenario)- 6 wins
Two games against Melton opens up draw for the Kangaroos.
FINAL WORD
East Point will have opportunities for more wins. It's all about grabbing them as it builds for the future.
PREMIERSHIP ODDS (Sportsbet): $81
SEBASTOPOL
11th
Played 5 games: 0 wins, 5 losses, 1 bye
STATUS
The Burra made solid ground last season.
While it continues to improve the brand of football it plays, a lack of personnel is again holding it back.
Sebastopol has not been without chance to get on the board though.
After making a flying start it should have beaten Ballarat, but letting it slip was costly.
All the Burra can do is persist and hopefully it will have its day.
MATCH-WINNERS
Michael Powell, Brett Goodes, Jack McNab
X-FACTORS
Toby Hutt, Ryan Noether
ROAD AHEAD
June 10: Melton (h)
June 17: East Point (a)
June 24: Redan (h)
July 1: North Ballarat City (a)
July 8: Bacchus Marsh (h)
July 15: Melton South (a)
July 22: Darley (a)
July 29: bye
August 5: Lake Wendouree (h)
August 12: Ballarat (h)
August 19: Bacchus Marsh (a)
August 26: Sunbury (a)
PREDICTOR (best case scenario) - 2 wins
The Burra will need upsets over Melton, East Point or Ballarat to hit this mark.
FINAL WORD
Tough times continue. If it gets a chance to win, the Burra just has to grab it.
PREMIERSHIP ODDS (Sportsbet): $201
