– By Nathan Dole
THIS Saturday’s second round of A-grade netball across the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL features big games in Maiden Gully, Marong and Serpentine.
After starting the season with a six-goal victory on Calivil’s court, Maiden Gully YCW takes on Bridgewater at Marist College Oval in Maiden Gully.
The Leisa Barry-coached Eagles teamed well to record a 55-49 win in the season opener against the Demons.
The Eagles squad includes Paige Barry, Rachael Gray, Olivia McCartney, Laura Suckling and Skye Webb.
Bridgewater will be on the rebound from a 43-45 loss at home to Bears Lagoon Serpentine.
The Mean Machine is jointly coached by Caz Wood and Olivia Hoiles in A-grade and A-reserve.
Bridgewater’s squad in the top two grades includes Carly Van Den Heuvel, Lou Dupuy, Natalie Flood, Sidney Niemann and Ava Wood.
Coaching panel at Maiden Gully YCW is Leisa Barry, A-grade; Christie Griffiths, A-reserve and 17-and-under; Ruth King, B-grade; Casey Durston, B-reserve; Olivia Hall and Dani Archer, 15-and-under; Maddi Dobell, 13-and-under.
The coaching panel for Bridgewater is Caz Wood and Olivia Hoiles, A-grade and A-reserve; Georgia Mamouney-Brown and Jayne Lawson, B-grade and B-reserve; Will Whiteacre, 17-and-under; and Dannielle Flood, 15-and-under.
It’s first against second as Marong faces Pyramid Hill at Jackal Oval in Marong’s Malone Park.
The Bridget Willox-coached Marong will be aiming to build on the momentum from a 50-23 win on Inglewood’s court at Centre State Scaffolding Oval.
Marong’s squad includes Ali Boyd, Asela Finch, Bianca Garton, Brittany Hercus, Brittany Shannon and Paige Gordon.
Pyramid Hill scored a 51-44 victory in its season opener at Deepcore Drilling Oval in Newbridge’s Riverside Oval.
The red, white and blue has Chelsea Emmerson, Simone Edgley and Laura Herbert as co-coaches of the A-grade and A-reserve teams.
Key players for Pyramid Hill includes Abbey, Amber and Morgan Dingwall, Rebecca Douch, Mikayla Burge and Jessica Holdstock.
Marong’s coaches are Bridget Willox, A-grade; Kimberley McCullough and Brittany Manley, A-reserve; Sarah Turnbull and Renee McCaig, B-grade and B-reserve; Jackie and Charli Crawford, 17-and-under.
Coaches for the other grades at Pyramid Hill are Lauren Driscoll and Amber Dingwall, B-grade and B-reserve; Kelly Gould, 17-and-under; Jodie Fletcher and Maddison Dye, 15-and-under; Rebecca Cladingboel, 13-and-under; and Gemma Scott, Ellesha Ferguson and Alina Gould, Minis.
Bears Lagoon Serpentine will start favourite to take the points against Inglewood at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
The Danielle O’Toole and Lara Clements-coached Bears clawed their way to a 45-43 victory at Bridgewater last Saturday.
On-court leaders for BLS are Danielle O’Toole, captain, and Ellen McRae, vice-captain.
A talented squad includes Ash Egbers, Ava Francis, Hannah Islley, Megg Powell and Casey Zass.
The Caitlin Cartwright-coached Inglewood is on the rebound from a 27-goal defeat.
Players in the Blues’ squad across A-grade and A-reserve include Anika Bysouth, Abbey Payne, Brooklyn Reid and Cayley Stanford.
Bears Lagoon Serpentine’s coaching panel is Danielle O’Toole and Lara Clements, A-grade; Sarah Perry, A-reserve; Maddy Niemann, B-grade; Josie Carlin, B-reserve; Erin Varker, 17-and-under; Danielle Coates, 15-and-under; Jemma Holmberg, 13-and-under; and Piper Long, Minis.
The Blues coaches are Caitlin Cartwright, A-grade and A-reserve; Shasta Maher, B-grade and 17-and-under; Lauren Bell, B-reserve; Izzy Rollinson, 15-and-under; Sharna Lewis and Caitlin Cartwright, 13-and-under.
Mitiamo marks its first hit-out of the ’25 season against Calivil United at Mitiamo’s John Forbes Oval.
A talented Superoos squad across A-grade and A-reserve is jointly coached by Abbey Battersby and Jess Kaur.
Key players for Mitiamo include Laura Hicks, Amelia Ludeman, Emma and Kelly Pay, Sarah Bateman and Carly Scholes.
The Cindy Portwine-coached Calivil United faces a big test against the reining premier.
The Demons can take many positives from the 49-55 result at home against Maiden Gully YCW.
Calivil United’s squad across A-grade and A-reserve includes Ava and Gemma Maxted, Georgia Mangan, Hollie Alford, Libby Clymo, Ella and Michelle Balic.
The coaching panel at Mitiamo is Abbey Battersby and Jess Kaur, A-grade and A-reserve; Caitlyn Battersby, B-grade and B-reserve; Shakira Viney and Ash Tuohey, 17-and;under; Amy and Caitlin Corry, 15-and-under and 13-and-under.
Coaches of the Demons teams are Cindy Portwine, A-grade and A-reserve; Jasmine Lawry and Bridget Maher, B-grade and B-reserve; Hayley Fawcett, 17-and-under; Karen Pascoe, 15-and-under; Kellie Anset, 13-and-under.
Newbridge has the bye this round.
The Selina Holland and Kristy Gandy-coached Maroons will play Maiden Gully YCW on Anzac Day at Marist College Oval.
This season’s squad in the maroon and white includes Kym Childs, Cass Henderson, Jorja Hufer, Rachel Pettifer and Abbi Wells.
Newbridge’s coaches are Selina Holland and Kristy Gandy, A-grade and A-reserve; Emma Allen, B-grade and B-reserve; Sharna Frawley, 17-and-under; Jess Baker, 15-and-under; and Stacey Lakey, 13-and-under.