New-look footy coaching panel

A NEW-look footy coaching panel will take charge at Heathcote in next season’s Bendigo Bank Heathcote District FNL action.

The Saints re-signed Andrew Saladino as senior coach during last season’s run to a first semi-final against eventual grand finalist, Leitchville Gunbower.

Heathcote’s reserves team will be coached by James Baker who joined the club in 2018 from Echunga.

At under-18s level it will be Adam Birch coaching the Saints’ future stars.

Assistant coaches of the under-18s team will be Tim and Will Long, and Callum and Liam Birch.

On the recruiting front, Heathcote has lured midfielder/forward Justin Bateson from Kangaroo Flat where he will team with Saints’ ruckman James Orr and co-captain and rover Liam Jacques.

Bateson also brings experience from senior level with Eaglehawk.

Another newcomer for the Saints next season will be key defender Oskar Keogh from Dunolly.

Heathcote also welcomes back Jackson Jones.

First of the club’s netball try-outs will be held on November 21 from 6.30pm at Pigeon Park in Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve.

Talented defender Chloe Meulenmeesters has made her way to Heathcote as coach of the A-grade netball team.

The Saints will be determined to build on the momentum of contesting the A-grade elimination final the past two seasons.

Although she has stepped down from co-coaching A-grade, gun mid-courter Brooke Bolton will play on for Heathcote.

An incredible record for Bolton includes being of one few players in Heathcote DFNL history to be a three-time winner of the Esther Cheatley Medal as league fairest and best.