PRESSURE is the key for Elmore Bloods in Saturday’s A-grade netball against reigning premiers Colbinabbin as they meet in the Agnico Eagle Fosterville Gold Mine Heathcote DFNL match.
The Bloods and Grasshoppers will play on Elmore’s court from 5.45pm.
It’s a new era for Elmore as Adam Boldiston takes charge as coach.
A long and successful coaching career for Boldiston includes a premiership victory with Maiden Gully YCW Eagles in the Loddon Valley in 2023.
He previously coached Victoria’s under-20 men’s team, was in charge at Monash University in the Victorian Netball League, and also had a coaching stint with Sunbury Lions.
The Bloods will be determined to hit back after last season’s run was ended in a 46-47 loss to Huntly in the elimination final.
Newcomers for Elmore include Lily Den Houting and Mackenzie Evans as they team up with Abbey Hromenko, Abbey Hay, Ashleigh Ripper and Kelsey Niven.
It’s a formidable squad coached by Jen McIntyre which will represent Colbinabbin once again.
Key players in the club’s unbeaten run to last season’s premiership included Grace and Matilda McIntyre, Esther Cheatley medallist Ella Kerlin, Olivia McEvoy and Kasey Conder.
Ellie Cuttriss has joined the green and gold.
Game one of the ’26 season will be played at Gunbower from 2.30pm when Leitchville Gunbower takes on Mount Pleasant.
Big test for Bombers who have welcomed back Katie Pollock as A-grade coach.
The LG squad includes Carmen Dye, Jodie Lake, Lucy Palmer and Courtney West.
Runner-up in ’25, Mount Pleasant recruited top goaler Kelsey Meade from Sandhurst to be assistant to coach Anthea McCleary.
The Blues’ squad includes Aishling Tupper, Matisse Perez and Ruby Loverso.
Another big match will be at Scott Street in White Hills where the Demons host the Harlowe Huntly Hawks.
The Elley Lawton-coached White Hills was a preliminary finalist last season as the Hawks finished fourth.
The Demons’ squad includes Annie Spear, Issy Eliades, Serryn Eenjes and Daisy Stringer.
A Hawks’ squad again coached by Kym Bell and Ashlea Sherlock includes newcomer Marli Easton from Cohuna.
Players to watch in the brown and gold include Jasmin and Rylee Gallagher, Jess Hinrichsen and Phoebe Kane.
Lockington Bamawm United will be on its court at Lockington’s Nichol Trading Oval to play North Bendigo.
Stacy Bacon steps up to be LBU’s A-grade coach.
Sixth last season, North Bendigo again has Kiralee Kinder in charge as the red, white and blue strives to play finals.
The Bulldogs’ squad includes Rachael Gray, Courtney Hargreaves, Sarah Appleby and Jeanette Ross.
Heathcote has the bye.
In the football action……………
THERE will be plenty of night moves as three senior footy matches are played under lights in Saturday’s start to the Agnico Eagle Fosterville Gold Mine-backed Heathcote DFNL season.
Action begins at 2.20pm when Leitchville Gunbower faces reigning premier Mount Pleasant at Gunbower.
Joel Donehue takes charge as Leitchville Gunbower’s coach as the Bombers aim to soar back to the top five once again.
It’s a massive test for the Bombers in their hangar.
Mount Pleasant’s team includes 11 who were premiership winners last September.
Co-coaches Josh Hann, playing, and Cam Carter, non-playing, take charge of a Blues line-up which has the experienced William Wallace and Caelan Smith as co-captains.
Mounts also has rover Jack Hickman, gun forward Ben Weightman, Joey Bell, Bryce Hinneberg and Michael Whiting among those driving the charge for back-to-back premierships.
Newcomers for the Blues include Alex Wharton from Sandhurst, Xavier Carter from Golden Square, Jett Nicholas from Warrnambool Blues.
Mounts is also bolstered by the return of Brodie Montague who did not play seniors because of surgery after the 15th round last season, but did make it back to feature in the reserves grand final.
It’s the Cats against the Bulldogs as Lockington Bamawm United tackles North Bendigo at Nichol Trading Oval in Lockington from 5.50pm.
Jayden Howe will again coach LBU.
The Cats welcome back Marcus Angove from Eaglehawk, and Jesse Collins from South Bendigo.
Both are premiership winners with LBU.
A triple winner of the Sam Cheatley Medal as league fairest and best, Tyler Phillips will again play a crucial role in the ruck for the Cats.
Key roles will be played by Bowden Stone in the centre, Jack Jansen and Thomas Leech across half-forward, Jacob Gardiner, Cooper Mitchell and Joseph Wolfe in defence.
There have been few changes to the North Bendigo team which was runner-up last season.
Rob Bennett, non-playing, and Ryan Hartley, playing, will coach the Bulldogs who have the experienced Jordan Ford, Matt Gray, Jordan Hargreaves, Dylan Klemm and Nic Waterson in their line-up.
Newcomers include Dominic Makur from Mallee Eagles, and Billy Meade from Golden Square.
The Dogs also have Will Bennett, Jett Grundy and Sam Hancock who starred in last season’s run to the under-18 premiership who have earnt their spot in the senior line-up.
Elmore will host Colbinabbin in a 5.50pm showdown at Elmore Recreation Reserve.
There are plenty of new faces at Elmore, including senior coach Luke Freeman who was previously in charge at Strathfieldsaye Storm.
In the centre, Elmore has the skilful Matt Filo from Castlemaine as one of many recruits.
Newcomers for the red and white include Xavier Coghill from Kangaroo Flat, Matt Cox from Campbells Creek, Charlie O’Toole from Cohuna Kangas, Peter Rothacker from Bridgewater, and Ashton and Ethan Sinn from North Ringwood.
A preliminary finalist last season, Colbinabbin has plenty of options in attack and through midfield.
Players to watch for the Linton Jacobs-coached Grasshoppers include Nathan Basile, Jai Carn, Isaac Carracher, Laine Fitzgerald, Will Lowe and Matt Riordan.
Recruits for the green and gold include Will De Leux from Seymour, Tanner Nally from Sandhurst, and Hunter Surrey from Bell Park.
White Hills takes on neighbouring Harlowe Huntly Hawks at the Scott Street ground in White Hills from 5.50pm.
Brad McConnell and Lachie Sawyer team up to coach White Hills this season.
The Demons will be led by Jake Thompson as captain and Nic Wallace as vice-captain.
Key roles will be played by Jack Lawton in the ruck, Cohen Kekich at centre half-forward, Mitch Dole through midfield or close to goal, Ben Irvine and Liam Monaghan in defence.
The Demons have welcomed back Doolan Nihill from Bears Lagoon-Serpetine.
Other recruits for the red and black include Josh Harris from Charlton, Lachlan Martin from Redan, Nic O’Brien from Campbells Creek, and Strahan Robinson from Port Fairy Seagulls.
Huntly will be determined to build on the momentum from the run to last season’s first semi-final.
The Hamish Morcom-coached Hawks again have Sam Dunstan who kicked 82 goals in 18 matches last season to lead the attack.
Huntly also has the marking power of Lachy Wilson and Abe Sladden in the forward 50m arc and the skilful Joseph Artavilla at ground level.
Huge plus for Huntly was the signing of key defender Will Lee from Golden Square.
Players to watch in the brown and gold include Darby Walsh, Steve Kairn, Jaydon Cowling and Mitch Billings.
Heathcote has the bye.
The Andrew Saladino and Liam Jacques will play at Gunbower in round two.