A REMATCH of last season’s grand finalists, White Hills and Leitchville Gunbower highlights Saturday’s start to the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL senior footy season.<\/p>\n
White Hills starts its run at back-to-back premierships under lights on its turf at Winslow Constructors Oval in Scott Street.<\/p>\n
The clash of the Demons and Bombers will start at 5.30pm in the Demons den.<\/p>\n
There’s been plenty of changes to the White Hills team which achieved premiership glory last September.<\/p>\n
A new-look coaching panel is Ben Taylor, playing, and Brad McConnell, non-playing.<\/p>\n
Increased work commitments in Ararat meant Peter Learmonth stepped down as co-coach on the eve of the season.<\/p>\n
For the Bombers, Shannon Keam is in charge again as LG continues a remarkable rise from a 1-15 record and the wooden spoon in 2022.<\/p>\n
Two of the league’s greatest rivals, Mount Pleasant and Heathcote meet in round one.<\/p>\n
This match is not on Mounts’ turf in Toolleen but at Colbinabbin’s M.J. Morgan Oval from 2.30pm.<\/p>\n
A fierce rivalry between the Blues and Saints includes the ’23 grand final in which Mounts triumphed by 19 points.<\/p>\n
This season it’s Cam Carter, non-playing, and Josh Hann, playing, who will be coaching the Blues as they strive to hit back from last season’s sixth placing.<\/p>\n
The Andrew Saladino-coached Saints have several exciting recruits.<\/p>\n
Players to watch in the red, white and black include ruckman Aaron Gundry and key forward Dylan Johnstone.<\/p>\n
North Bendigo tackles Elmore at Bendigo Club Oval in North Bendigo’s Atkins Street from 2.30pm.<\/p>\n
It’s dual coaches for North Bendigo as dual premiership-winning coach Rob Bennett, non-playing, teams up with gun on-baller Ryan Hartley.<\/p>\n
Lockington Bamawm United and Huntly clash under Lockington’s lights from 5.45pm.<\/p>\n
Jayden Howe will chase a winning start as LBU’s senior coach against the Hamish Morcom-coached Hawks.<\/p>\n
Colbinabbin has the bye.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A REMATCH of last season’s grand finalists, White Hills and Leitchville Gunbower highlights Saturday’s start to the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL senior footy season. White Hills starts its run at back-to-back premierships under lights on its turf at Winslow Constructors Oval in Scott Street. The clash of the Demons and Bombers will start at 5.30pm […]<\/p>\n