HOW to beat Mount Pleasant is a task all coaches across the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL have been working on leading into the ’26 footy season.<\/p>\n
The Blues marked a second premiership in three years when they defeated North Bendigo in last September’s grand final by five points.<\/p>\n
Mount Pleasant will again be coached by Cam Carter, non-playing, and Josh Hann, playing, as they strive to be the first club to claim back-to-back premierships since Leitchville Gunbower in 2017 and ’18.<\/p>\n
The Blues’ attack and midfield options have been strengthened by the signing of Alex and Joel Wharton from Sandhurst.<\/p>\n
A strong line-up includes key defender William Wallace, Joey Bell, Jack Hickman, Brodie Leonard-Shannon, Cal Smith and Michael Whiting.<\/p>\n
The agony of grand final defeat will spur North Bendigo all season.<\/p>\n
Robert Bennett, non-playing, and Ryan Hartley, playing, are co-coaches of the Bulldogs.<\/p>\n
An experienced core led by Aarryn Craig, Jordan Ford, Dylan Klemm and Nic Waterson teams brilliantly with young guns Will Gilmore, Riley Paetow and Cody Riddick.<\/p>\n
Colbinabbin has brought in some exciting talent as it strives to improve on last year’s third placing.<\/p>\n
The Grasshoppers recruits include Dominic Grant, Josh Smithson and Hunter Surrey.<\/p>\n
Huntly will aim to build on the momentum of last season’s run to a first semi-final.<\/p>\n
The Hamish Morcom-coached Hawks have gained gun on-baller Stefan Pye from Birchip-Watchem.<\/p>\n
Knocked out in an elimination final, Leitchville Gunbower will be another strong challenger for a finals berth.<\/p>\n
The Bombers will be coached by Joel Donehue this season.<\/p>\n
Lockington Bamawm United has regained Marcus Angove and Jacob Gardiner and also recruited Nick Smart from Kyabram.<\/p>\n
It’s a new era at Elmore where Luke Freeman takes on the senior coaching role after a two-year stint with Strathfieldsaye Storm.<\/p>\n
A club poised to climb the ladder is Heathcote.<\/p>\n
Andrew Saladino, non-playing, and Liam Jacques, playing, will coach a squad which has gained key forward Sean Williams from Rochester, Stefan Rasinac from Aberfeldie, and Hugh Freckleton from Golden Square.<\/p>\n
Pre-season for the Brad McConnell-coached White Hills started last October as the Demons prepare to turn up the heat.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
HOW to beat Mount Pleasant is a task all coaches across the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL have been working on leading into the ’26 footy season. The Blues marked a second premiership in three years when they defeated North Bendigo in last September’s grand final by five points. Mount Pleasant will again be coached by […]<\/p>\n