THE Mitiamo Superoos will unfurl the 2019 senior footy premiership flag before Saturday’s round one clash with Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League rival Bears Lagoon Serpentine.
It will be an emotional day for Mitiamo as the Superoos take to the field without LVFNL legend John Forbes watching on.
John passed away last month.
His impact at Mitiamo and the wider community was shown at last month’s funeral service.
The Superoos will be determined to start the 2021 campaign with a victory.
Premiership-winning coaches Andy Grant and Tyrone Downie are in charge of a squad bolstered by the signing of former Kangaroo Flat onballer Corey Greer.
Other recruits for the Superoos include Luke Crawford, Andrew Cussens and Ross Turner.
Bears Lagoon Serpentine was beaten in the 2019 preliminary final by Pyramid Hill.
Since then the Greg Gadsden-coached Bears have added plenty of recruits.
New faces at BLS include Jesse Evans, Connor Hamilton, Nathan Jennings, Ryan Pendergast and Darcy Poulter.
Marong takes on Calivil United at Discover Marong Oval in Malone Park.
After another successful summer on the cricket field with Strathdale-Maristians, Linton Jacobs marks his first match as Marong’s senior coach.
There is plenty of experience on field for the Panthers this season.
Gun recruits include key forward Kain Robins, former Panthers coach Corey Gregg, Simon Weekley, Zac Alford, Cory Jacobs and Dylan Cuttriss.
The Glen Scholtes-coached Calivil United will be fired up for the season start.
A coup for the Demons was the signing of former South Bendigo coach Brady Childs as playing assistant coach.
Other recruits include Beau Roy-Clements, Mitchell A’vard, Luke Hall and Tim Lloyd.
The Demeo name is famous at the club.
This season it will be Jack Demeo who is among a group of under-18s stepping up to the seniors.
Pyramid Hill and Inglewood clash on the Bulldogs’ turf at Mitchell Park.
Runner-up in 2019, Pyramid Hill is likely to be a strong challenger for the premiership cup.
The Adrian McErvale and Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Bulldogs will have a formidable onball and midfield group.
Key recruits include Matt and Brad Ladson, and Matthew Pollock who were all premiership-winning players at Leitchville-Gunbower.
The ability of Matt Ladson to rack up possessions and non-stop run to many contests are major strengths of his game.
The Bulldogs have also gained Jake Heavyside from Strathfieldsaye.
It’s a daunting trip for Inglewood in round one.
Darrell Billett returns to coach the Blues.
New players for the Blues include Lochlan Else and Tom Lake to team with plenty of keen youngsters.
Final game of the day kicks off at 6pm when Maiden Gully YCW Eagles face Newbridge at Marist College Oval.
The Eagles and Maroons last met in round 15 of the 2019 season where Maiden Gully YCW won by 43 points at Riverside Oval.
The Eagles attack was led by coach Wayne Mitrovic, four goals, and Luke Gray on three.
Best for the Eagles were Dylan Morris, Mat and Nic Waterson.
Those three players are not at Maiden Gully YCW this season.
The Eagles’ recruits include ruckman Chris Howgate, Sam Barnes, Riley Hamilton and Tom Ferguson.
Maiden Gully YCW also regains the talented Nate McLaren.
There are plenty of new faces in the Newbridge line-up.
After finishing eighth in 2019, the Maroons will be desperate to feature in finals once again.
A former assistant coach at Strathfieldsaye, Luke Freeman is in charge at Newbridge.
Players to watch for the Maroons include new assistant coach Harry Whittle from Huntly, Caleb Argus, Cory Van Aken, Jack Teasdale, and Brandon Etherington.
The club has also picked up the multi-talented Mitch Hocking from South Bendigo.
Footy is his focus in winter, but Hocking is also a talented lawn bowler, cricketer, and runner.
Bridgewater has the bye.
The Mean Machine kicks off its campaign on April 17 on Bears Lagoon Serpentine’s turf.
Written by Nathan Dole