Among the big moves since LBU\u2019s victory on grand final day was the premiers luring Stacy Fiske from Huntly to be senior coach.<\/p>\n
Fiske takes charge of a powerful team that was led by Brodie Collins to grand final glory.<\/p>\n
In two stints as Huntly coach a highlight for Fiske was the Hawks\u2019 grand final appearance in 2013 against LBU.<\/p>\n
Among the recruits for the Cats are key forward Max Johnson from Kangaroo Flat, Kia Coatsworth and Ben Holman.<\/p>\n
Departures include Marcus Angove to Eaglehawk, Jarod Bacon to Anglesea, and Joss Howlett to St Albans.<\/p>\n
A strong squad includes dual Cheatley medallist and gun ruckman Tyler Phillips, Rhys Woodland, Riley McIvor, and Lachlan Atherton.<\/p>\n
Mount Pleasant<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Mounts also has to replace big forwards Travis Baird to Charlton and Dean Tydell now at Broadford.<\/p>\n A talented line-up includes Ben Weightman at full-forward, ruckman Chris Down, Bryce Hinneberg and William Wallace in defence.<\/p>\n Colbinabbin<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s a coaching change at Colbinabbin as midfielder Jed Brain moves into the hot seat after the Julian Bull-coached Grasshoppers were third last season.<\/p>\n Newcomers for Colbo include Connor Aldous from Huntly, Oscar Crilly, and the aptly named Jai Carn.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n White Hills<\/strong><\/p>\n White Hills has landed some big name recruits to build on last year\u2019s fourth placing.<\/p>\n Jack Fallon stays on as coach for \u201923 and is joined by Jake Pallpratt as co-coach.<\/p>\n A Henderson medallist as fairest and best in the Ballarat Football League with Lake Wendouree, Ben Taylor bolsters the midfield.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s leading goalkicker on 76 goals in 2018.<\/p>\n North Bendigo<\/strong><\/p>\n Stung by last year\u2019s loss to White Hills in an elimination final, North Bendigo has added some more premiership-winning experience.<\/p>\n Key recruits for the Rob Bennett-coached Bulldogs include Jake Hall from Strathfieldsaye Storm, and Rhys Healey who was best afield in Eaglehawk\u2019s grand final victory in 2007.<\/p>\n Also back at the kennel are Ben Knight and Brodie Thomson who played in the 2019 grand final win.<\/p>\n Other recruits include Pat Bogers, Billy Robertson, Lachlan Furness, Jordan Quirk and Layton Ross.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Heathcote<\/strong><\/p>\n Just a win away from qualifying for last year\u2019s finals, Heathcote shapes as being a serious contender for the top five.<\/p>\n Second-year coach<\/p>\n w Saladino has welcomed the Wallan trio of Callum Birch, Corey Grindlay and Lachlan Inness to Barrack Reserve.<\/p>\n Another gun recruit is midfielder Liam Jacques back with the Saints after stints at Bridgewater and Golden Square.<\/p>\n Elmore<\/strong><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Other signings include Mychael Baker from Bridgewater, Sam Archard, Nash Hocking, Nathan Kay and Jacob Styles.<\/p>\n Huntly<\/strong><\/p>\n It\u2019s a new-look coaching structure at Huntly as Harry Whittle and Jayden Cordy team up as co-coaches of the Hawks.<\/p>\n Whittle\u2019s return from Newbridge where he won a Harding Medal as fairest and best in the Loddon Valley FNL is a huge coup.<\/p>\n The attack is bolstered by the inclusions of Brodie and Jackson Fry and Lachlan Wilson from Kangaroo Flat.<\/p>\n A former captain of the Hawks and gun goalkicker in his time at Pyramid Hill, Braidy Dickens is also back at Strauch Reserve.<\/p>\n Huntly has also signed Ben Daley, John Harvey, Daniel Harrison, Harry McCormick and Tom Paterson.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/25\/2023\/04\/PDW_5317-scaled-e1680592337394-300x200.jpg\")
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