Bloods coach signs on for another year

AS she prepares to put the finishing touches on South Bendigo’s BFNL finals preparation over the next few weeks, coach Lauren Bowles already has one eye on next season.

In a move that will provide the Bloods with leadership stability and reinforces their commitment to future success, Bowles has recommitted to coaching next season.

The show of faith will keep Bowles, who joined the Bloods from Heathcote District league club White Hills at the end of the 2024 season, in red and white at least until the end of 2026.

Under her leadership, the Bloods are on track to play finals in all four grades of senior netball this season.

Fresh from a win over Golden Square at Harry Trott Oval last Saturday, South Bendigo will head into a tough clash against top-of-the-ladder Kangaroo Flat in fourth spot at 5-5-1.

The Bloods are almost certain to play Eaglehawk (4-6-1) in the first week of finals in the elimination final.

Finals will cap a strong rebound from the Bloods, who missed out last year, after qualifying in the three previous completed seasons (2019, 22, 23) under former coach Jannelle Hobbs, now at Eaglehawk.

Given the atrocious conditions last Saturday, Bowles was content to emerge with a nine-goal win over Golden Square in a scrappy contest, in which the Bloods at times lacked connectivity and consistency.

Despite having the upper-hand throughout the contest, the Bloods had to dig deep in the final quarter as the Bulldogs closed within four goals.

“It seemed pretty comfortable most of the match until that last quarter, but they came out firing and got a run of goals in a row,” Bowles said.

“Credit to Square, they really tested us again.

“But I was proud that we steadied and went on with it, as the last time that happened against Square (in round six), we lost the match.

“We were able to keep that little bit of composure and push it out to eight goals.”

The obvious difference-maker this time compared to earlier season, and a key in helping the Bloods steady, was goal shooter Gabe Richards.

Fresh from a big game for the Bendigo Strikers in their VNL elimination final victory over Casey Demons three days earlier, Richards was a handful for the Bulldogs defence.

At the other end of the court for the Bloods, defenders Hayley Harrington and Maggie Burke combined brilliantly, winning plenty of ball back and making life tough for the Bulldogs’ cast of shooters.

Having laid a solid platform for future success, Bowles, who coaches both the A-grade and A-reserve teams and plays A-reserve, said she was eager to continue what she and the club had started.

“For me, to do what I am trying to do to get some success on court and put in some work off the court, it really needs to be a minimum of two to three years,” she said.

“And I’m really loving it. We are only just getting started this year.

“The goal was to try and give some finals experience to everyone and it’s looking everybody but our (under) 17s will be.

The Bloods’ senior coaching panel will remain unchanged in 2026.