Hoppers, Dogs aim to bounce back from defeat
BEATEN in the opening games of the season, Colbinabbin and North Bendigo will be keen to bounce back in this Saturday’s full round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League season.
The Grasshoppers and Bulldogs will clash on Colbinabbin’s court at M.J. Morgan Reserve.
It was a tough start to the ’22 campaign for Colbo as it was up against the powerful Elmore line-up.
Colbinabbin worked hard to lead 13-12 at quarter-time, but Elmore’s strength through mid-court and in attack proved too much as the Bloods won 55-41
Back-to-back defeats are not what Colbo is used to, so expect the Olivia McEvoy and Lisa Myers-coached Colbinabbin to be fired up for this contest.
The North Bendigo line-up will be keen to hit back from a 35-48 loss at Hibo Hotel Oval in Atkins Street to the visiting Heathcote team.
It’s a tough start to the Shellie Davies-coached team in red, white and blue as North Bendigo’s early season run is against Colbinabbin, Elmore and White Hills.
Another big match on Saturday will be at Elmore Recreation Reserve between Elmore and Mount Pleasant.
A talented Elmore line-up is likely to be bolstered by the return of gun goaler Abbey Hromenko who competed in last weekend’s heptathlon at the Australian track and field championships in Sydney.
Elmore co-coaches Allira Holmes and Gabe Richards are in charge of a powerful team that includes Tahnee Cannan, Steph Donnellon, Cayde Hayes and Andrea Wilson.
The Carine Comer-coached Mount Pleasant will be keen to perform well.
It’s Comer’s first match in charge of the Blues who will have last season’s A-grade coach, Chantal Moore back on court.
The Blues also recruited Liv Slattery from Echuca to join a team that includes Megan Baird in attack, Aish Tupper and Hayley Martiniello.
White Hills starts its season at home on the Scott Street court against Lockington Bamawm United.
Premiership-winning coach Lauren Bowles will be aiming to be back on court for the red and black.
Newcomers for the Demons include former Pyramid Hill coach Zoe Kennedy, Calivil United’s Tegan Elliston, and North Bendigo duo Rhiana Broadbent and Lara Daly.
Key players for White Hills include Danni Wee Hee in mid-court, Alyssa Cole and Olivia Treloar in attack.
Recruits for LBU which has Jessie Hardess as playing coach are Maddy Atherton from Eaglehawk, and Chelsea Hicks from Calivil United.
The newcomers will play in mid-court and defence respectively.
Players to watch for LBU include Kiarra Duncan, Jessie Millgan, young goaler Chelsea Jones, and Abi Sergienko.
Heathcote will aim for consecutive wins when it hosts Huntly at Barrack Reserve.
The Saints showed plenty of positive signs in their win on North Bendigo’s court.
The Emily Eliades-coached Huntly has plenty new faces.
Recruits for the Hawks include Sarah Chalmers, Maddy Curran, Serryn Eenjes, Taylor Mann, Molly Mathieson and Laura Parkhill.
They join goalshooter Chloe Fletcher, and Laura Gillespie in defence.
Leitchville Gunbower has the bye.
First game for the Bombers will be on April 16 at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve.
Written by Nathan Dole.