VICTORIOUS at White Hills on Good Friday, Elmore faces another Bendigo Bank Heathcote District Football Netball League powerhouse in Saturday’s first round action.
The Elmore line-up will be keen to follow-up an impressive 18-goal win against White Hills by taking the points at home against Colbinabbin.
It’s not just about the four points to be won as Elmore strives to prove it’s win on the Demons court was no fluke.
Elmore’s most recent hit-out against Colbinabbin was the 2019 preliminary final.
On that occasion it was Colbo which scored a 50-49 victory.
The Susan Borserio-coached Elmore goes into this Saturday’s clash strengthened by the inclusion of Gabe Richards as goalshooter and the versatile Andrea Wilson.
Colbo has the experience of Jess Geary, Olivia McEvoy, coach Lou Dupuy, and Holly Guerra in her return to the club to again feature prominently in the premiership race.
The A-grade match between Elmore and Colbinabbin starts at 4.30pm.
All other A-grade games start at 2.45pm.
White Hills will be determined to bounce back from defeat when it hosts Leitchville Gunbower at Tint-A-Car Oval in Scott Street.
The LG Bombers will be jointly coached by Ash Bradley and Kate Donehue.
Leitchville Gunbower will be determined to improve on a win-loss record of 4-11 from the 2019 campaign.
When they last played at White Hills, Leitchville Gunbower was defeated by 51 goals.
Both line-ups have changed markedly since then.
Leitchville Gunbower’s squad includes Lauren Dehhne, Emily Prout, Gemma Angove and Tahli Brereton in their return for the red and black.
North Bendigo and Huntly will be determined to start their season with a victory.
It’s home court advantage for North Bendigo at Hibo Hotel Oval in Scott Street.
The most recent clash between the Bulldogs and Huntly ended in a 15-goal win for the Hawks at home in round 15 of the 2019 season.
Huntly went on to play in the finals as North Bendigo ended with a 5-9-1 record.
Lara Daly will mark her first match as North Bendigo coach.
Key players for the team in red, white and blue include Imogen Davies and Delainey Holmes in attack, Rhianna Broadbent and Meg McGlone in defence, and mid-courter Samantha McDougall.
After a tough run in 2019, Heathcote and Lockington Bamawm United will be keen to start on a winning note.
The Saints and Cats were 2-14 and 15-1 in the 2019 season.
Heathcote has home-court advantage at Barrack Reserve.
The most recent clash between the clubs ended in a 41-33 win for Heathcote at home.
The Saints have a new coach in Tyler McKeown and have welcomed Brooke and Georgia Bolton, and Kodi Jacques to the club.
For LBU, Jess Hardess will mark her first match as A-grade coach in her return to the club after several seasons playing in Melbourne.
Written by Nathan Dole