By Nathan Dole
Rivals up pressure on Marong Panthers
THERE’S been a big influx of players at most Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League clubs as they strive to break Marong’s dominance in senior football action.
After another grand final defeat, Pyramid Hill has added more experience through its on-ball and forward line.
Among the key recruits for the Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Bulldogs will be gun forward Ben Bisset from Mount Pleasant.
Other signings for the red, white and blue include Zavier Ballis from Cairns Saints, Daniel Frame from Mount Pleasant, and Levi Moss from Boort.
Pat Bogers switches from the kennel at North Bendigo to the one at Mitchell Park.
Another player to watch will be Mitch Langan who played for Noosa in ’24 and previously represented North Shore, and played at Coates Talent League level with Geelong Falcons.
Runner-up in A-grade netball last season, Chelsea Emmerson stays on as coach.
One of the busiest on the recruiting front is Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.
Signings include ruckman, key position player Daniel Russell from Elmore as playing assistant coach.
Russell has also had stints with NT Thunder and Rochester.
The Eagles have regained Mason and Tyler James from Newstead.
Maiden Gully YCW’s attack gains a significant lift as Tyler James has kicked 178 goals in 54 games at Newstead and racked up 274 goals in his stint with the Eagles from 2016 to ’19.
Mason James earned a Loddon Valley best and fairest at under-18 level and was captain of the Eagles under-18s in 2018 and ’19.
The Eagles have also signed Jaidyn Berry from Wedderburn, Anthony Robins from Newstead, and Tyson Jackson from Castlemaine.
A three-time best and fairest winner at Newstead, Muzz Robbins adds plenty of pace to the Eagles midfield.
Bears Lagoon-Serpentine welcomes back ruckman Aidan Brohm from North Bendigo.
The Bears re-appointed Jake Wilkinson as senior coach after last season’s run.
Another key move was the appointment of gun forward Josh Mellington as senior assistant coach.
The gun forward who brought experience from AFL level with Fremantle had kicked 93 goals in just nine matches when his debut season with the Bears was ended by a serious hamstring injury.
A new signing for BLS is Jarrod Starr.
On the netball front, Dani O’Toole capped an outstanding debut season as coach by leading the Bears into the finals.
It’s a new-look coaching panel at Marong as Paul Thomson, non-playing, and Kain Robins, playing, team up to lead the senior team.
Linton Jacobs marked a premiership hat-trick as Marong coach and is now in charge at Colbinabbin.
After being assistant coach at Harcourt last season, Todd Kenworthy returns to a club he has won two premierships with.
The Panthers also welcome back Patrick Gretgrix from Harcourt.
Signings for Marong include Declan Highgate, a wingman/half-back from Burnside Heights, and Jacob Ede from Harcourt.
The A-grade netball club champion in ’24, Bridget Willox steps up as A-grade coach for ’25.
Willox joined Marong in ’22 and had playing stints with Tyntynder, Eaglehawk and Charlton.
At Calivil United, Sam Maher takes on the responsibility of lifting the Demons into finals calculations once again.
Signings for Calivil United include wingman Calum Binnie from Old Brighton, half-back Will Hamilton from Golden Square, and key position/ruckman Jayden Leach.
After taking a break from the game, Dylan Goulding will bolster the Demons’ midfield.
Goulding previously played at Pyramid Hill and Macorna.
Lachlan Palmer brings tackling strength from a rugby background in New Zealand.
The club has recruited Cindy Portwine as A-grade netball coach.
The Demons’ new leader brings a wealth of experience from stints with Lockington Bamawm United, Mount Pleasant, Kangaroo Flat and Echuca.
Third in ’24, Bridgewater will now have gun forward Lachlan Sharp take the reins as senior coach.
Sharp’s first season with the Mean Machine was capped by kicking 138 goals in 19 matches and also being assistant coach to Rick Ladson.
A multiple premiership winner with Strathfieldsaye Storm, Sharp’s brilliant career includes a Michelsen Medal, and also claiming the Ron Best Medal as Bendigo FNL leading goalkicker more than once.
On the netball front, Olivia Collicoat and Caz Wood again team up to coach the A-grade team.
Mitiamo has appointed long-time player Luke Lougoon as senior coach.
Lougoon joined the Superoos from Kangaroo Flat in 2015 and played a key role in Mitiamo’s premiership victory of 2019.
Signings at Mitiamo for ’25 include Lachie Carter, Jarrod Saliba and Anthony Huismann.
A key player in the A-grade premiership of last season, Abbey Battersby will now coach the team in its pursuit of back-to-back flags.
There’s also a change on the coaching scene at Newbridge where Matt McArthur takes charge.
After multiple premierships with Powelltown, McArthur joined the Maroons in ’24.
Coaches of the club’s A and B-grade netball teams will be Kristy Gandy and Selina Holland.
A huge plus for Inglewood is the return of ’23 fairest and best winner, Bregon Cotchett.
The classy midfielder is back with the Blues after playing with West Preston Lakeside last season.
Fergus Payne will coach again.
Key signings for Inglewood are half-back Tom Guerra from Leitchville Gunbower, and forward Ben Napier who did play for Kyabram and is on the comeback from a knee injury.
The Blues have also picked up Harry Veitch who played in the Victorian Amateur competition and Essendon District league.
Abbey Hayes will again coach the A-grade netball team.