LBU’s great run under threat

LOCKINGTON Bamawm United’s run as top cat on the footy field in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote District Football Netball League could be derailed this season.

The Cats were 15-1 in last year’s home-and-away series and bounced back from defeat in the second semi to win the next two clashes and claim the 2022 premiership cup.

In 2023 a new-look LBU is likely to feel plenty of heat from last season’s finalists in Mount Pleasant, White Hills, Colbinabbin and North Bendigo.

League followers will be keen to see if Heathcote’s surge continues and whether a new-look Huntly can also be a top-five challenger.

Lockington Bamawm United

Among the big moves since LBU’s victory on grand final day was the premiers luring Stacy Fiske from Huntly to be senior coach.

Fiske takes charge of a powerful team that was led by Brodie Collins to grand final glory.

In two stints as Huntly coach a highlight for Fiske was the Hawks’ grand final appearance in 2013 against LBU.

Among the recruits for the Cats are key forward Max Johnson from Kangaroo Flat, Kia Coatsworth and Ben Holman.

Departures include Marcus Angove to Eaglehawk, Jarod Bacon to Anglesea, and Joss Howlett to St Albans.

A strong squad includes dual Cheatley medallist and gun ruckman Tyler Phillips, Rhys Woodland, Riley McIvor, and Lachlan Atherton.

Mount Pleasant

In a bid to bounce back from grand final defeat, the Blues have appointed Adam Baird as playing senior coach, while long-time coach Darren Walsh takes on a new role as director of coaching.

A Michelsen medallist and premiership star in his time at Golden Square, Adam Baird will again play a crucial role through the midfield and also in attack for the Blues.

Mounts has brought in skilful mid-forward Mitch Rovers from Kangaroo Flat, but will be without ruck-rover Billy Mahony who has crossed to Maryborough Rovers, and Jesse Tuohey to Noosa.

Mounts also has to replace big forwards Travis Baird to Charlton and Dean Tydell now at Broadford.

A talented line-up includes Ben Weightman at full-forward, ruckman Chris Down, Bryce Hinneberg and William Wallace in defence.

Colbinabbin

It’s a coaching change at Colbinabbin as midfielder Jed Brain moves into the hot seat after the Julian Bull-coached Grasshoppers were third last season.

Newcomers for Colbo include Connor Aldous from Huntly, Oscar Crilly, and the aptly named Jai Carn.

The Grasshoppers will be without key position player Matt Riordan who has crossed to Marong, Lachlan Ezard now at Bell Park, and midfielder Todd Clarke to Rushworth.

James Brain kicked 46 goals for Colbo last season and will play an important role, along with Laine Fitzgerald, Luke Moore, David Price, Ben Southam, and Hadleigh Sirett.

White Hills

White Hills has landed some big name recruits to build on last year’s fourth placing.

Jack Fallon stays on as coach for ’23 and is joined by Jake Pallpratt as co-coach.

A Henderson medallist as fairest and best in the Ballarat Football League with Lake Wendouree, Ben Taylor bolsters the midfield.

A formidable attack is strengthened by the arrival of the classy Kaiden Antonowicz from South Bendigo who earned a Ron Best Medal as the Bendigo FNL’s leading goalkicker on 76 goals in 2018.

North Bendigo

Stung by last year’s loss to White Hills in an elimination final, North Bendigo has added some more premiership-winning experience.

Key recruits for the Rob Bennett-coached Bulldogs include Jake Hall from Strathfieldsaye Storm, and Rhys Healey who was best afield in Eaglehawk’s grand final victory in 2007.

Also back at the kennel are Ben Knight and Brodie Thomson who played in the 2019 grand final win.

Other recruits include Pat Bogers, Billy Robertson, Lachlan Furness, Jordan Quirk and Layton Ross.

The Bulldogs also have the likes of Aarryn Craig, Jordan Ford, Storm Giri, Ryan Alford, Manny Thalasinos and Nic Waterson who are hungry for more success.

Heathcote

Just a win away from qualifying for last year’s finals, Heathcote shapes as being a serious contender for the top five.

Second-year coach

w Saladino has welcomed the Wallan trio of Callum Birch, Corey Grindlay and Lachlan Inness to Barrack Reserve.

Another gun recruit is midfielder Liam Jacques back with the Saints after stints at Bridgewater and Golden Square.

Elmore

The Dylan Friedberger-coached Elmore has bolstered its ruck stocks through the signing of Jarrad Kyne and Daniel Russell from Rochester which frees up the classy Dylan Gordon to play as a key defender.

Other signings include Mychael Baker from Bridgewater, Sam Archard, Nash Hocking, Nathan Kay and Jacob Styles.

Huntly

It’s a new-look coaching structure at Huntly as Harry Whittle and Jayden Cordy team up as co-coaches of the Hawks.

Whittle’s return from Newbridge where he won a Harding Medal as fairest and best in the Loddon Valley FNL is a huge coup.

The attack is bolstered by the inclusions of Brodie and Jackson Fry and Lachlan Wilson from Kangaroo Flat.

A former captain of the Hawks and gun goalkicker in his time at Pyramid Hill, Braidy Dickens is also back at Strauch Reserve.

Huntly has also signed Ben Daley, John Harvey, Daniel Harrison, Harry McCormick and Tom Paterson.

Departures from Strauch Reserve include Jay McDonald to coach Maiden Gully YCW Eagles, Tyler Miles to the Eagles, Jaydon Cowling to Charlton, Orion Downing to Bears Lagoon-Serpentine, and Mitch Christensen to Koondrook-Barham.

Leitchville-Gunbower

Kudos to Shannon Keam who takes on the senior coaching role at Leitchville-Gunbower.

The Bombers have endured a tough run in recent years and a huge boost for the red and black is the return of key forward Tyler Jones from Cohuna Kangas.

The Bombers also regain Jye Keath from La Trobe University in the Victorian Amateur Football Association.

Among those to have left LG are forward Blake Azzopardi to Moulamein.

The Heathcote DFNL season starts on April 15.