ELMORE made a memorable start to the Bendigo Bank Heathcote District Football Netball League season in the netball matches played on Good Friday at White Hills.
In a remarkable day for the club, Elmore won all netball matches, a feat rarely achieved by any visitor to the Demons home in Scott Street.
The signing of goalshooter Gabe Richards and the classy Andrea Wilson was a masterstroke by Elmore coach Susan Borserio and the club.
In her return to the HDFNL, Richards was on the end of many passes to the goal circle as Elmore won the A-grade match, 59-41.
Championship-winning team-mates on the basketball court for the Bendigo Spirit and Bendigo Braves, Richards and Wilson previously played in a netball premiership with Mount Pleasant and were team-mates at Golden Square.
There were many outstanding players for Elmore in the opening game of the 2021 campaign.
The club’s best and fairest in 2019, Abbey Hromenko’s athleticism and skill at goal attack was a highlight, as was the play of Steph Donnellon and Chloe Whitfield.
It was a new-look White Hills team on court.
The Demons had several players step up to the higher grade.
Now a non-playing coach, Lauren Bowles was rapt with how a young side fought it out against such a strong opponent.
The experienced Dani Wee Hee starred for White Hills in mid-court as Olivia Treloar and Alyssa Cole teamed well in attack.
Margins in two of the earlier games on Good Friday were close.
Elmore won A-reserve by three goals, and B-grade by five.
The Bloods took out B-reserve by 10 goals, under-17 by 25, and under-15 by 55 goals.
The season for all clubs, with the exception of Mount Pleasant, starts this Saturday.
North Bendigo takes on Huntly at Hibo Hotel Oval in Atkins Street.
White Hills and Leitchville Gunbower clash at Tint-A-Car Oval in Scott Street.
Heathcote plays Lockington-Bamawm United at Pigeon Park in Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve.
Elmore is at home to Colbinabbin.
Mount Pleasant has the bye.