Rivals clash at Mitiamo’s John Forbes Oval

ANOTHER chapter in the rivalry between Mitiamo and Bridgewater will be written in Saturday’s start to the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League season.

The Superoos and Mean Machine clash at Mitiamo’s John Forbes Oval from 2.15pm.

In its run to last year’s grand final the Rick Ladson-coached Bridgewater beat Mitiamo by 49 points in the first semi-final.

Both teams have changed dramatically since then and Mitiamo starts season 2023 with a new coach in Jon Varcoe.

Among the newcomers for the Superoos are former Box Hill Hawks midfielder Michael Barnes, while 2019 premiership player Dylan Clohesy makes a welcome return.

Bridgewater will be without Andy Collins who kicked 54 goals last season.

The former Richmond and Carlton mid-forward has returned to Sandhurst and will play a key role in the Dragons’ tilt at the Bendigo FNL premiership.

Josh Martyn led Bridgewater’s attack on 64 goals last season and is a formidable opponent, along with Harry Donegan, Callum Prest and Emile Pavlich.

Another big match will be at Calivil where the Demons take on Newbridge at 2.15pm.

Both clubs have made coaching changes.

A premiership-winning coach of the Demons in 2017, Anthony Dennis returns to Calivil United, and a key signing was ruckman Justin Hynes from Marong’s grand final-winning team.

The Demons also welcome back Henry Miller.

Newbridge has co-coaches in Sam Gale playing, and Daniel Smith non-playing and both achieved great success at Harcourt in the Maryborough Castlemaine competition.

Smith coached the Lions to back-to-back premierships in 2006 and ’07.

On the transfer list to the Maroons were Angus Fortune, Matt Giri, Ryan Hipworth, David Romer and Dylan Stevens.

Just as it did last season, Inglewood will be keen to mark a winning start.

The Blues won three of their opening four matches in 2022.

The Darrell Billett-coached Inglewood is at home against Bears Lagoon Serpentine at Dissy Machinery Oval in the first round clash from 2.15pm.

The Blues gained Fergus Payne from Strathfieldsaye as playing assistant coach and also welcome Sam Dorevitch, Darcy Hogan, Jack Lovett, Callum March, Cameron Martin, Keelan Payne, and Nick Silvestro.

Fifth last season, the Justin Laird-coached BLS will be keen to keep climbing the ladder.

The Bears have bolstered their squad through the signing of Callum Draper from Golden Square, Kangaroo Flat’s Louis Mott, and key defender Kyal Zass from Eaglehawk.

Round one will be completed with the night clash between Maiden Gully Eagles and Marong from 6pm at Maiden Gully’s Marist College Oval.

It’s a tough initiation to Jay McDonald’s coaching stint at Maiden Gully YCW.

McDonald has joined the Eagles after a successful stint at Huntly in the Heathcote DFNL.

Assistant coach will be Damian Wust who joined the Eagles midway through last season and has plenty of experience from stints at Kangaroo Flat and Eaglehawk.

Key recruits for the Eagles include former Eaglehawk and Huntly player Tyler Miles, key forward Sam Harvey, Bryce Franzini from Kangaroo Flat, and Kyle Franzini from Kerang.

It’s been 33 years since Marong began a campaign as reigning premier.

The Linton Jacobs-coached Panthers have kept most of their premiership-winning team.

Newcomers at Marong include ruckman Michael Bradbury from Quambatook, and key position player Matt Riordan from Colbinabbin.

A key to stopping Marong’s run is the supply to a forward line led by the powerful Brandyn Grenfell who kicked 154 goals last season.

Other players to watch for the red, yellow and blue include captain Corey Gregg, Richard Tibbett, Kain Robins, Cory Jacobs, and Jimmy Gadsden.

Pyramid Hill has the bye.

The Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Bulldogs start their season on April 15 in the Demons’ den at Calivil.