MAIDEN Gully YCW starts its A-grade netball season against Newbridge in Saturday’s start to the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League season.
It’s a huge task for an Eagles line-up against a club that was runner-up in 2019.
The Maiden Gully YCW team will be aiming to bank on home-court advantage in a match to be played under the Marist College Oval lights from 5.30pm.
When these clubs last met in 2019, Newbridge scored a 17-goal victory at home at Riverside Park.
A premiership-winning coach at Sandhurst, Jannaya Webb has taken charge of the Eagles.
Players to watch for Maiden Gully YCW include Tia Webb, Leisa Barry, Meg Patterson and Tiarni Baxter.
Newcomers at Newbridge include Brianna Burt, Georgia Hooper and Abby Rowley.
The Maroons will again be coached by Selina Holland.
Marong faces Calivil United at Discover Marong Park.
The round 11 clash in 2019 ended in a 37 goal win for Calivil United at home.
The Demons will be fired up to start with a victory.
Christie Rogers takes charge at a club which has figured prominently in A-grade for many years.
Recruits at Calivil United include Bridget Baker, Mila Grant, Amy Murfitt and Amy Ryan.
Bianca Garton will mark her first match as Marong coach.
The Panthers’ best and fairest in the 2019 season, Garton will again play a crucial role as the club strives to climb from a seventh-place finish two seasons ago.
Players to watch for Marong include Tracey O’Donnell and Rebecca Cluff in defence, and Brittany Shannon in attack.
Winless in 2019, Pyramid Hill will be desperate to break that streak when it meets Inglewood at Mitchell Park.
The red, white and blue was beaten at Inglewood in the 14th round of the 2019 season by 14 goals.
Pyramid Hill has welcomed the return of Zoe Kennedy from Strathfieldsaye to be A-grade coach.
Kennedy takes charge of a young squad keen to learn and improve.
The defence is bolstered by the return of Abbey Dingwall from Rochester.
Another recruit for Pyramid Hill is Caitlin Murphy in defence.
Inglewood will be determined to build on a 3-13 run in 2019.
The Blues have a new A-grade coach in Tegan Phillips who will play a key role in mid-court.
Newcomers for Inglewood include goalshooter Annalyse Carroll, Steph Riley in mid-court, and Marnie Ross in defence.
Mitiamo plays Bears Lagoon-Serpentine in the lower grades at John Forbes Oval.
The Bears are not fielding an A-grade team, so Mitiamo will wait until the round three match against Newbridge to unfurl the 2019 premiership flag.
Bridgewater has the bye.
Written by Nathan Dole