– By Nathan Dole
NORTH Bendigo will turn up the heat when it takes on Elmore in Saturday’s start to A-grade netball action in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL competition.
The North Bendigo Bulldogs have home-court advantage at Bendigo Club Oval in Atkins Street against the reigning premier.
First pass in the Dogs and Bloods clash will be at 2.30pm.
The Kiralee Kinder-coached North Bendigo will be led by Abbey Grindal and Jeanette Ross as co-captains.
Imogen Davies and Emily Kinder are vice-captains of an A-grade squad that includes Morgan McClellan and Sharie St Clair.
It’s a huge challenge for Elmore’s new coach Annie Hockey.
Several of the Bloods’ premiership winners of last September have moved to other clubs.
Elmore’s squad does include the skilful Abbey Hromenko, Abbey Hay, Cayde Hayes, Lucy Trewick and Maddison Keating.
North Bendigo’s coaching panel for this season is Kiralee Kinder, A-grade; Stacey Kingdon, A-reserve; Gab Francis, B-grade; Alison Climas, B-reserve; Michelle Grindal, 17-and-under; Frances Knight, 15-and-under; Elizabeth Taylor and Stacee Kingdon, 13-and-under.
The Bloods’ coaches are Annie Hockey, A-grade; Hayley Langdon and Ali Hayes, A-reserve; Deb Hildebrandt and Millie Haines, B-grade; Deb Hildebrandt and Kelsey Niven, B-reserve; Abbey Hromenko, 17-and-under; Meg Parker, 15-and-under; Charlie Langdon, 13-and-under.
Mount Pleasant and Heathcote will play at Colbinabbin’s M.J. Morgan Oval from 2.30pm.
A hard surface on Mount Pleasant’s footy ground in Toolleen has meant the Blues and Saints clash was switched to the Grasshoppers home.
Anthea McCleary will coach a Mount Pleasant team determined to make its way back into the top five.
Key players for the Blues across A-grade and A-reserve include Claudia Collins, Ivy Harrop, Maeve Tupper, Matisse Perez, Shelby Hickman and Sarah Mannes.
Goalkeeper Chloe Meulenmeesters will mark her first match as Heathcote’s A-grade coach.
The Saints are hellbent on climbing the ladder after being beaten in the elimination final the past two seasons.
Players to watch for the Saints include Jess Peck, Sophie Pica, Lauren Wright, Ava Harris and Brylee Tolson.
The Blues’ coaching panel is Anthea McCleary, A-grade; Keely Jones, A-reserve; Carine Comer, B-grade and 13-and-under; Rochelle Young and Jess Dooly, B-reserve; Carly Francis, 17-and-under; Sue Tupper, 15-and-under.
Coaches at Heathcote are Chloe Meulenmeesters, A-grade and A-reserve; Anna Dundon, B-grade; Vicki Carolan and Christie Ashen, B-reserve; Jess Peck, 17-and-under; Christie Ashen, 15-and-under; Vicki Carolan, 13-and-under.
There will be two night matches to complete the round.
White Hills takes on Leitchville Gunbower at Winslow Constructors Oval in Scott Street, White Hills from 5.30pm.
Elly Lawton takes charge of White Hills in A-grade after a long and successful run by Lauren Bowles.
The Demons’ squad includes Annie Spear, Serryn Eenjes, Bree Heiden, Amber Weston and Kate Clow.
There have been plenty of changes to the LG Bombers since last season’s first semi-final.
Grant Matthews is coach of a Leitchville Gunbower squad that includes Carmen and Megin Dye, Emily Hay, Tiarnee Lake and Bec Spratt.
The coaching panel at White Hills is Elly Lawton, A-grade; Amber Weston, A-reserve; Laurinda Sawyer, B-grade; Bronwyn McConnell, 17-and-under; Kristi Coller, 15-and-under; Michelle Baker, 13-and-under.
Coaches of the LG Bombers teams are Grant Matthews, A-grade and 17-and-under; Maddison Curran, A-reserve; Caitlin Taylor-Irvin, B-grade and B-reserve; Chloe Windridge, 15-and-under; Cara Perry and Tanah Peacock, 13-and-under.
It’s an exciting time at Lockington as the LBU Cats will also play under lights against the Harlowe Huntly Hawks from 5.45pm.
The Cats and Hawks will be determined to mark a winning start to their season.
Kerryn Giorgianni and Shelby Stone team up to coach LBU in A-grade.
The Cats’ squad includes Stacy Bacon, Maddyson Combridge, Audrey Giorgianni, Hannah Sidebottom and Michelle Stone.
Huntly will be jointly coached by Ashlea Sherlock, playing, and Kym Bell, non-playing.
The Hawks’ squad includes Emily Cossar, Jasmin and Rylee Gallagher, and Georgia Smith.
LBU’s coaches are Kerryn Giorgianni and Shelby Stone, A-grade; Stacy Bacon, A-reserve; Jessie Hardess, B-grade; Beth Howlett and Jude Elliott, B-reserve; Georgia Andrew-Mills, 17-and-under; Narelle Bacon, 15-and-under; Beth Howlett and Rebecca Eade, 13-and-under.
Huntly’s coaching panel is Ashlea Sherlock and Kym Bell, A-grade and A-reserve; Megan Runnalls and Taylor Mann, B-grade; Lauren Campbell and Montana Barber, B-reserve; Jasmin Gallagher, 17-and-under; Melissa Matthews and Holly Guerra, 15-and-under; Morgan Bibby, 13-and-under.
Colbinabbin has the bye.
First match for the Jen McIntyre-coached Grasshoppers after being runner-up last September will be on April 26 against Heathcote at Pigeon Park in Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve.