STUNG by a first-round defeat, North Bendigo will be snarling as it takes on Colbinabbin in Saturday’s second round in the Agnico Eagle Fosterville Gold Mine-backed Heathcote DFNL senior footy season.
The Bulldogs will be on home turf at Bendigo Club Oval in Atkins Street to tackle a skilful Colbinabbin line-up from 2.20pm.
Ability to bounce back from defeat is what North Bendigo has done strongly in recent seasons.
The Bulldogs team coached by Rob Bennett, non-playing, and Ryan Hartley, playing will be primed to ramp up the pressure on the green and gold after a four-point loss at Lockington.
A North Bendigo defence that includes Will Gilmore, Matt Gray and Dominic Makur takes on Jai Carn, Brandyn Grenfell and Dougal McKindlay.
Bulldogs’ ruckman Jordan Hargreaves will team up with Aarryn Craig, Bailey Cain and Liam Dillon.
In attack North Bendigo has Dylan Klemm, Jake Dean and Cody Riddick.
Key players for the Linton Jacobs-coached Colbinabbin include Isaac Carracher, Aidan and Nathan Basile, Jasper McArdle, Matt Riordan, Jude and Sam Ryan.
Mount Pleasant will unfurl the ’25 premiership flag before it tackles Harlowe Huntly Hawks at Toolleen.
The Josh Hann and Cam Carter-coached Mounts were pushed all the way in a 73-68 victory on Leitchville Gunbower’s turf at Gunbower in round one.
A Blues’ attack that includes Ben Weightman, Joel Wharton, Brodie Montague and Caelan Smith will test Hawks’ defenders Brodie Fry, Jameson Barber, Kyle Forster and Will Lee.
The high-leaping Jett Nicholas takes on Huntly ruckman Nathan Dunstan.
Crucial match-up for Mounts will be in defence where William Wallace is likely to take on Sam Dunstan.
Other key players for the Blues include Bryce Hinneberg, Brodie Leonard-Shannon, Jack Hickman and Joey Bell.
Huntly’s attack includes Abe Sladden, Deacon Wheelhouse and Joseph Artavilla.
The Hamish Morcom-coached Hawks have plenty of run generated by Darby Walsh, Harrison Campbell, Steve Kairn, Ben Daley, Lachie Ross and Mitch Billings.
Leitchville Gunbower is back at Gunbower to take on Heathcote.
The Joel Donehue-coached Bombers will have gained plenty of confidence from the clash with Mount Pleasant.
Key players for the Bombers include ruckman Jobee Warde, Luke Davis, Charles Hancock, Tom Brereton, Nic Cattapan, Blake Dye, Bryce Barnstale, Jye Keath and Josh Koster.
Heathcote had the bye in round one.
Plenty of new faces in a Saints line-up coached by Andrew Saladino, non-playing, and Liam Jacques, playing.
Recruits for Heathcote include Stefan Rasinac, Dillon and Sean Williams, Jake Waters, and Hugh Freckleton.
The Saints’ squad includes Justin Bateson, Rhys Bolton, Daniel and Dylan Johnstone, Codie Price and Will Tobin.
After upset victories in round one, White Hills and Lockington Bamawm United lock horns under the White Hills lights in Scott Street.
The battle of the Demons and Cats will start at 5.50pm.
It was a terrific start by the Brad McConnell and Lachie Sawyer-coached White Hills to mark a first-up win at home against Huntly by two goals.
Massive test for the red and black against an opponent which claimed a home win against North Bendigo.
Key players for the Demons include Ben Irvine and Patrick Crawford in defence, Cohen Kekich, Mitch Dole and Patrick Eefting in attack, ruckman Jack Lawton, and captain Jake Thompson.
Other players to watch in the red and black include Seth Beth, Liam Monaghan and Nic Wallace.
A strong on-ball group for Lockington Bamawm United is led by ruckman Tyler Phillips as he teams with Marcus Angove, Jack O’Callaghan and Bowden Stone.
The Jayden Howe-coached Cats have Thomas Leech and Jeremy Mundie in attack, Campbell Keele and Stuart Taylor in midfield, Jacob Gardiner, Cooper Mitchell and Charlie Hinks in defence.
Elmore has the bye.
Heathcote DFNL senior footy ladder:
Colbinabbin 128 per cent, 4 points; White Hills 125, 4; Mount Pleasant 107, 4; Lockington Bamawm United 106, 4; North Bendigo 93, 0; Leitchville Gunbower 93, 0; Huntly 80, 0; Elmore 77, 0; Heathcote 0, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
5 Brandyn Grenfell, C.
4 Ben Weightman, MP.
3 Ryan Allan, LG; Bailey Cain, NB; James Harney, E.
2 Blake Dye, LG; Josh Harris, WH; Will Lowe, C; Thomas Leech, LBU; Alex Wharton, MP; Lachy Wilson, HH.
In the netball action, North Bendigo takes on reigning premier, Colbinabbin in Saturday’s second round of A-grade netball in the Anigo Eagle Fosterville Gold Mine-backed Heathcote DFNL season.
The Kiralee Kinder-coached North Bendigo has home-court advantage at Bendigo Club Oval in Atkins Street against the Grasshoppers.
North Bendigo began the ’26 campaign by scoring a 51-41 victory in last Saturday night’s match on Lockington Bamawm United’s court at Nichol Trading Oval.
The squad in red, white and blue includes Rachael Gray, Courtney Hargreaves, Emily Kinder and Jeanette Ross.
The Jen McIntyre-coached Colbinabbin dominated play at Elmore to score a 71-35 victory against the Bloods.
A strong Colbinabbin squad includes Ella Kerlin, Olivia McEvoy, Grace and Matilda McIntyre.
Sustained pressure in all thirds of the court will be the key for the Bulldogs against an attacking and skilful opponent.
The Bulldogs and Grasshoppers will clash from 2.30pm.
Finalists in ’25, Mount Pleasant and Huntly will play on the Blues’ court at Toolleen from 2.30pm.
The Anthea McCleary-coached Mount Pleasant passed the 80-goal mark in an 83-24 result against Leitchvielle Gunbower at Gunbower in round one.
Huntly is on the rebound from a 10-goal loss at neighbouring White Hills.
The Hawks are again being coached by Kym Bell and Ash Sherlock.
Leitchville Gunbower is back at Gunbower to take on Heathcote from 2.30pm.
After a first-round bye, Heathcote will be determined to mark a winning start.
A multiple winner of the Esther Cheatley Medal as league fairest and best, Brooke Price, nee Bolton, marks a return as Heathcote’s playing coach.
The Saints’ squad includes Jennifer Van Neutegem, Anna Dundon, Jess Peck and Lauren Wright.
It’s another night match for White Hills as the Demons face Lockington Bamawm United in Scott Street, White Hills from 5.30pm.
The Elley Lawton-coached White Hills teamed superbly in the season opener to take the points against the Huntly Hawks.
The White Hills squad includes Annie Spear, Daisy Stringer, Issy Eliades and Serryn Eenjes.
Stacy Bacon is coaching LBU this season.
Elmore has the bye.
Standings in the Heathcote DFNL A-grade netball competition:
Mount Pleasant 345 per cent, 4 points; Colbinabbin 202, 4; White Hills 127, 4; North Bendigo 124, 4; Lockington Bamawm United 80, 0; Huntly 78, 0; Elmore 49, 0; Leitchville Gunbower 28, 0; Heathcote 0, 0.