Dogs and Saints to get HDFL started

NORTH Bendigo and Heathcote kick off the Bendigo Bank Heathcote District Football Netball League season this Saturday, 2 April on the Bulldogs turf at Atkins Street from 2.30pm.

A dual premiership coach Robert Bennett will be determined to make a winning start on his return to North Bendigo.

The Bulldogs are likely to have too much scoring power through Dylan Klemm, Shane Harris, Matt Gray and Aarryn Craig.

Heathcote has Andrew Saladino back at the club as non-playing coach.

The Saints will look for big games from Billy and Codie Price, Liam Birch, Tom Pain, Bill Direen and forward Brayden Padmore from Moonee Valley.

Later on Saturday, Colbinabbin and Elmore meet under the lights at M.J. Morgan Reserve in Colbinabbin from 6.15pm.

The Julian Bull-coached Grasshoppers will go in as favourites against the Bloods.

Newcomers for the green and gold include Nathan Angelino, James Brain, Tim Holobowski, Will Lowe, Jasper McArdle, Jimmy McMurtrie, and Luke Moore.

Ben Southam, Hadleigh Sirett, Todd Clarke, Nick Knight and Stephen Tuohey are all key playmakers for Colbo.

Elmore has Dylan Friedberger and ruckman/forward Dylan Gordon as co-coaches.

A new-look Bloods squad includes Brayden Perichon, Ryan Murphy, Che Taranto, Mitchell Carson, Bailey Sawyer, Kyle Armstrong and Shaun Haffenden.

For most clubs the season starts on April 9.

On that day, Colbinabbin takes on North Bendigo at M.J. Morgan Reserve; Heathcote tackles Huntly at Barrack Reserve; White Hills plays Lockington Bamawm United at Scott Street; and Elmore faces Mount Pleasant on the Bloods’ turf.

Leitchville Gunbower has the bye.