Heathcote League ready to bounce back – 2022 season preview

Colbinabbin

The Julian Bull-coached Grasshoppers are likely to be a top-three challenger once again.

Colbo marked a 9-3 run and was second when last season was called off.

Recruits include midfielder Luke Moore from Shepparton Swans, Will Lowe is back from a stint with Birchip-Watchem, and Tim Holobowski is another valuable pick-up.

The Grasshoppers attack will include James Brain, older brother of Jed, and the club has also recruited the versatile Jimmy McMurtrie.

Always tough to beat at M.J. Morgan Oval, Colbinabbin will be without ruckman Lochlan Sirett, back at Birchip-Watchem, as well as Daniel Hill, Geordie McMurtrie and Pat O’Brien.

 

Elmore

The Bloods have last season’s coach Dylan Friedberger joined by gun ruckman/forward Dylan Gordon as co-coaches.

After a win-loss tally of 3-9 and seventh placing in 2021, Elmore has plenty of new faces in its squad.

Key recruits for the Bloods include Kyle Armstrong, Mitch Carlson, Joel Haitsma, Sam McHale in midfield; Tannar Cerrone, Sebastian De Napoli, Darcy Laffy and Regan Williams to the attack; and Rhys Holmberg, Brayden Perichon and Bailey Sawyer to strengthen the defence.

Major departures are last season’s leading goalkicker James Harney, Bailey Boyack, Joe Harney and last season’s HDFNL Rising Star award winner Mitch Cricelli.

 

Heathcote

The Saints have welcomed back former player Andrew Saladino from Wallan as non-playing coach.

A huge plus for Heathcote was retaining most of last season’s list and a marked increase to depth.

Key targets in attack include Jackson Conforti on his return from Kyneton, along with Braden Padmore from Moonee Valley, and Liam Birch.

Other players to watch will be Connor Hamilton, Shaun Harrison and Henry McCarthy in midfield, and Rhys Bolton and Bill Direen in defence.

The classy Codie Price is playing assistant coach and will be keen to perform well after a run of injuries last season.

 

Huntly

There have been plenty of changes to the Stacy Fiske-coached Huntly squad which had a 5-8 record last season.

Departures from Strauch Reserve include Ryan and Luke Semmel, Chris Gleeson and Josh Harris to Stanhope; Jacob Greenwood, Phil Ryan and Blayne Ryan-Storey are among those to have joined Calivil United’s new coach Jack Daley; and Jake Semmel has gone to Murrumbeena.

Newcomers for Hawks include Orion Downing from Bears Lagoon-Serpentine, Maiden Gully YCW Eagles’ Tori Ferguson and Travis Mercadante.

Other signings at Huntly have been Aidan Baldwin, Marcus Dunstone, Nathan Grace, Sam Keneally, Eathan Oaten, Jett Patullo and Jett Rowell.

 

Leitchville Gunbower

The Bombers will be desperate for a few wins after no success in the 2021 campaign.

New coach Tim Bannan brings plenty of experience after recent stints involved with Riddell and Gisborne.

Assistant coaches are Ayden Walton and Nathan McLellan who had a superb first year in defence for LG.

Recruits for the Bombers include Tom Guerra from Koondrook Barham, Echuca’s Leyton Shenfield, and Strathmerton’s Sam Lewis.

Also joining the line-up is Blake Azzopardi, and Liam Keath has returned to the red, yellow and black.

The play of last season’s club champion Tom Brereton will be a key factor.

 

Lockington Bamawm United

The Cats capped an unbeaten run of 12 games on the way to being declared premier in a 2021 season cut short by COVID.

There have been few changes to the Brodie Collins-coached LBU squad.

A recruiting coup was the signing of the versatile Riley McIvor, a premiership-winning player with Eaglehawk.

The Cats also welcome back Charlie Hinks from Macorna.

LBU goes into the new year without Tom Holman who has joined Kyabram.

Key players for the Cats include Cheatley medallist and gun ruckman Tyler Phillips, Nathan and Jarod Bacon, Jesse Collins, Rhys Woodland and Patrick Gardiner.

 

Mount Pleasant

One of the most active clubs on the recruiting front was Mount Pleasant.

The Darren Walsh and Adam Baird-coached Blues finished fifth on a 7-5 record last season and are rated by many as a team to watch.

A coup for the Blues was the signing of gun ruckman Chris Down from Sandhurst.

Mounts’ on-ballers Adam Baird and Billy Mahony will be aiming to capitalise on Down’s tapwork at centre ball-ups and boundary throw-ins.

Newcomers for Mounts include Zane Keighran from Golden Square, versatile big man Dean Tyrell from Pascoe Vale, along with Zac Featherby, Reardon McIvor and Will Wallace.

 

North Bendigo

The Bulldogs welcome back dual premiership coach and multiple winner of the Steven Bennett Memorial trophy as club champion, Robert Bennett as senior coach.

A great run by Matt Dillon as non-playing coach included the six-goal victory in the 2019 grand final against Colbinabbin.

Key recruits for North Bendigo include Beau Cross from Sandhurst, Matt Gray and Nic Waterson from Maiden Gully YCW, and Kangaroo Flat’s Hakeem Johnson.

Also in the squad are dual premiership player Callum Tardrew, along with Jesse Evans, Sean Moyle and Nathan Newlan.

Major departures are onballer Harry O’Meara and triple premiership-winning defender Tom Metherell.

 

White Hills

Fourth with a 9-4 record last year, White Hills will be working hard to stay in the top bracket.

The Demons best and fairest in 2021, Jack Fallon, is senior coach after the departure of former Adelaide Crow and Carlton player Sam Kerridge to Alexandra.

Fallon won a premiership in his time at Eaglehawk.

The Demons new on-field leader will be assisted by Brady Childs who has crossed from Calivil United Demons.

Up front White Hill may have some challenges with a need to replace full-forward Jed Lamb, and Zeke Lamb, who have joined Warragul.

Brayden Aitken from Maiden Gully YCW and Mitch Curtis are among the recruits for the Demons.