THERE have been plenty of off-field moves in terms of coaching and recruits for the 2022 Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League season.
A major coup was Bridgewater signing Rick Ladson as senior coach.,
Ladson was a premiership player with the Mean Machine in 2016 and brings plenty of experience, including an AFL premiership with Hawthorn in 2008, to the club.
He takes charge of a team which was coached by Dale Cameron and Jayden Donaldson to a 10-2 record this season.
Although they step down as coaches, Cameron and Donaldson will stay on at the club.
Ladson’s record includes a senior premiership as playing coach of Golden Square in 2013.
This year it was he and wife Carly, who won the league medal, who were co-coaches of Golden Square in another unbeaten run to be premiers in the Champions IGA-backed Central Victoria Football League women’s competition.
Unbeaten in the 2021 season following a premiership in 2019, Mitiamo is on the search for a new senior coach after co-coaches Andy Grant and Tyrone Downie decided to take a break from the role.
It was another incredible run by the Superoos in a season hit by Covid lockdowns.
Pyramid Hill will have Nathan Fitzpatrick in charge as senior coach.
A multiple premiership-winning coach of the Bulldogs’ under-18s, Fitzpatrick was assistant to senior coach Adrian McErvale in 2020.
Although he will not coach, McErvale will play on for Pyramid Hill.
After his playing career was ended by injury early in the season, Matt Pollock will return to Pyramid Hill as senior assistant coach.
The Bulldogs have also been active in re-signing many of their stars and also gaining new players to bolster a squad which achieved a 7-5 record and fourth place this season.
Among the newcomers to Mitchell Park will be Ryley Dickens, Liam Ly and Seb Relouw as Steve Gunther and Joe Parsons return.
Calivil United will have a new coach in Jack Daley.
A talented onballer or midfielder, Daley joins the Demons after being an assistant coach for Huntly in the Heathcote DFNL.
Daley previously played at Golden Square.
Newbridge’s recruits include midfielder Jordan Formosa after stints at Heathcote, Strathfieldsaye Storm and Huntly.
The Luke Freeman-coached Maroons had a 2-9 record with a highlight being assistant coach Harry Whittle winning the Frank Harding Medal as the league’s fairest and best player.
After a 10-2 tally and second place, the Linton Jacobs-coached Marong will be a team to be reckoned with.
The Greg Gadsden-coached Bears Lagoon Serpentine ended this season on a 5-6 and fifth on the ladder.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles, coached by Wayne Mitrovic, was 6th on a 4-7 record.
It was another tough season for Inglewood coach Darrell Billett and a young Blues line-up.
Written by Nathan Dole.