THE spotlight will be on White Hills and Elmore when they meet under lights in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote District Football Netball League’s senior football clash on Good Friday.
White Hills will aim to make another winning start to a season when it hosts the stand-alone game, moved from round 16, at Tint-A-Car Oval in Scott Street.
The seniors match starts at 6pm.
Both line-ups have changed dramatically since they last played in 2019.
A key focus for the Demons after they bowed out in the 2019 elimination final was to strengthen the ruck division and midfield.
Lachlan Sidebottom returns to the club as number one ruckman and will have the likes of playing coach Sam Kerridge and gun recruit Jack Fallon to team with at centre bounces and around the ground.
The classy Jed Lamb and Mitch Dole were the Demons leading goalkickers on 55 each in the 2019 season and will test the Elmore defence.
Other newcomers for the red and black are Lachlan Collihole, Jack Dickens, Nathan Moffatt and Ryan Walker.
More than a dozen players have joined Elmore for the 2021 campaign.
Dylan Friedberger will be keen to mark his first match as coach with a victory.
Among the players to watch for the Bloods will be Phil Hubbard in the midfield.
Elmore has also added Farran Priest, a Morrish Medallist in the NAB League to its squad.
Romain Grenville kicked 48 goals in 14 matches for Elmore in 2019 and will again lead an attck that includes James Harney and Darcy Laffy.
The Bloods go into this season without the classy Rhys Healey was was best when Elmore last met White Hills on July 13, 2019.
On that occasion, White Hills won at Elmore by 26 points as Lamb kicked a game-high four goals.
Make the top five is a goal both clubs are confident they can achieve this year.
It’s been a long time since they Demons and Bloods have won or challenged for the senior premiership.
Elmore won the 2007 grand final after being runner-up the previous season.
White Hills was defeated in the 2004 and ’95 grand finals.
Round one of the 2021 season will be played on April 10.
North Bendigo will unfurl the 2019 premiership flag before it tackles Huntly at Hibo Hotel Oval in Atkins Street.
White Hills is back on home turf at Tint-A-Car Oval to face Leitchville Gunbower in the battle of the Demons and Bombers.
Heathcote faces a formidable task against Lockington Bamawm United on the Saints’ turf at Pigeon Park.
Elmore and Colbinabbin clash at Elmore Recreation Reserve.
Mount Pleasant has the bye.
Written by Nathan Dole