Saints on the road for first game

HEATHCOTE’S 2023 Bendigo Bank Heathcote District Football Netball League season gets underway this Saturday with a road trip to Colbinabbin’s M.J. Morgan Reserve.

The Saints will take on a Grasshoppers squad who made it to last season’s preliminary final.

A 5-11 record meant Heathcote finished last season in sixth place and this year they are being coached by Brooke Bolton and Kelsey Hayes.

A brilliant midcourter, Bolton is a dual winner of the Esther Cheatley Medal as league fairest and best.

Players to watch for the Saints include Georgia Bolton, Annalyse Carroll and Jen Van Neutegem.

Key players in Colbinabbin’s squad, to be coached by Jen McIntyre, include Tanzin and Zara Myers, Elle Palmer, Mardi Ryan and Ash Zera.

The Grasshoppers also welcome back Olivia McEvoy, a dual winner of the league’s fairest and best award.

Huntly faces a big task against reigning A Grade netball premier, Elmore.

The Kym Bell-coached Hawks are determined to build on last season’s fifth placing with the clash set for Huntly’s Strauch Reserve.

Huntly has Ash Sherlock and Sam Nelson back on court, and also gained Bree Burt and Erin Scott.

Pregnancies and injury have meant Elmore starts with a few changes to its premiership-winning team.

Key players in the line-up to again be jointly-coached by Allira Holmes and Gabe Richards include Tahnee Cannan, Abbey Hromenko and Ellie Laffy.

North Bendigo takes on Mount Pleasant at Hibo Hotel Oval in Atkins Street.

The Shellie Davies-coached North Bendigo has had Georgia and Jasmine Kinder, and key defender Genevieve McColl join the line-up.

It’s a new-look attack for the Carine Comer-coached Mount Pleasant and includes recruits Ava and Olivia Nihill, and Matisse Perez.

Leitchville-Gunbower is on its court at Leitchville to play White Hills and it’s a big test for the Bombers who have a new coach in Gemma Angove.

Runner-up last season, White Hills is likely to be a hot contender once again.

The Lauren Bowles-coached Demons have gained Bridget Murray, Amy Morrissey, Sarah Nash and Gracie Warnock.