Semi-finalists meet again on Bridgewater’s court
OPPONENTS in last season’s first semi-final, Bridgewater and Newbridge meet in Saturday’s start to A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL season.
The Mean Machine and Maroons will play on Bridgewater’s court from 3pm.
Bridgewater’s run to the preliminary final in the ’25 campaign included a 49-44 victory against Newbridge in the first semi-final.
This season it’s Carly Wild and Lou Dupuy who will coach Bridgewater.
A Newbridge line-up coached by Hayley Martiniello will be determined to mark a winning start away from home.
Reigning premier Mitiamo will unveil the flag at John Forbes Oval before the Superoos take on Calivil United.
The Superoos are again being coached by Jen Wilson.
After a 16-nil run in last season’s home and away series, Mitiamo was beaten by Pyramid Hill in the second semi by 17 goals.
The Superoos bounced back to win the preliminary final against Bridgewater by two goals and a week later took the cup in a 54-48 victory against Pyramid Hill.
Likely to be a tough start for a Calivil United team coached by Annie Blow and Alex Ingram.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles face league newcomer Macorna at Marist College Oval in Maiden Gully.
The Christie Griffiths-coached Eagles will be determined to chalk up win number one after a 4-12 run last season.
Macorna is being coached by Brooke Allison as the Tigers crossed to the Valley after playing in the now-defunct Golden Rivers competition.
It’s the clash of the Panthers and Bears as Marong hosts Bears Lagoon-Serpentine at Malone Park.
The Panthers were fifth last season after an eight-goal loss to Bridgewater in the elimination final.
Bridget Willox and Bianca Garton have teamed up to coach Marong.
The Bears are being coached by Erin Varker.
Inglewood faces a big test on its court at Centre State Scaffolding against Pyramid Hill.
Dani O’Toole is coaching the Blues who will be keen to bring and keep up a strong level of defensive pressure against last season’s runner-up.
Pyramid Hill is being coached by Chelsea Emmerson, Amber Dingwall and Darci Tierney.
In the football action……………
SHOWDOWNS at Inglewood and Marong highlight Saturday’s start to the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL senior footy season.
Inglewood kicks off its 150th year celebrations by playing a home game against Pyramid Hill at Centre State Scaffolding Oval from 2.15pm.
There have been changes on the coaching front at both clubs since Inglewood beat Pyramid Hill by seven goals in last year’s first semi-final.
Jackson Hood steps up to be Inglewood’s senior coach and will be assisted by Ian Aitken, a premiership-winning player with Carlton in 1987.
Pyramid Hill lured Jarrod Fitzpatrick from Boort to be senior coach.
Among the many key match-ups for this contest will be Hood at full-back against Jhye Baddeley-Kelly who kicked 73 goals in 16 hit-outs for Boort last season.
A talented on-ball group for Inglewood is led by Thomas Kennedy, Bregon Cotchett, Daniel Polack and Liam Marciano.
In attack the Blues have Tyler Murphy, Kai Cavallaro, Ben Morgan and Keana Padula to test the Bulldogs’ defence.
Crucial roles will be played by Charlie Aitken, Gabe Nevins and Luke Matheson in Inglewood’s defence against the likes of Mitch Jorgensen, Mitch Dingwall and Levi Moss.
The Bulldogs have Lachlan Sidebottom in the ruck and the experienced Ben Knight and Gavin James capable of winning many possessions.
Among the recruits at Mitchell Park are Robby Bartee from Waratah, Isaac Brill from Strathmore, Will Perryman and Fraser Millar from Boort.
Another premiership flag will be unfurled before Marong takes on Bears Lagoon-Serpentine at Malone Park.
James Flaherty returns to the coaching ranks to guide Marong toward a fifth consecutive premiership victory.
The Panthers’ new off-field leader previously coached at Rochester and Kangaroo Flat.
Plenty of big-game experience in a Marong line-up that includes Michael Bradbury, Nathan Devanny, Jimmy Gadsden, Corey Gregg, Richard Tibbett and Matt Willox.
Huge test for the Jake Wilkinson-coached Bears in the Panthers den.
The Bears were put out of last year’s premiership race by Inglewood in the elimination final.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles host league newcomer Macorna at Marist College Oval.
The Shawn Filo-coached Eagles will be wary of an opponent which has crossed from the now-defunct Golden Rivers competition.
Key players for Maiden Gully include ruckman Daniel Russell, captain Josh Worsley, Todd Delahey, Ed Crisp, Tyler James, and former Essendon and Port Adelaide forward/mid Angus Monfries.
Macorna is being coached by Fergus Payne who was Inglewood’s senior coach the past two seasons.
Payne has taken on the challenge of leading Macorna in a new era.
Players to watch for the Tigers include Hunter Anset, Fergus Bear, Seb Erharter, Laing and Toby Whinfield, and Broden and Xavier Wishart.
Bridgewater takes on Newbridge at Bridgewater Recreation Reserve.
Last season’s runner-up, Bridgewater will again be coached by gun forward and Harding medallist Lachlan Sharp.
A talented team representing the Mean Machine includes Luke Ellings, Josh Martyn, Harry and Oscar McKinley, Nic Naughton and Jack Neylon.
A new look at Newbridge includes the recruitment of Jayden Cordy from Cohuna Kangas to be coach.
Other newcomers for the Maroons include key defender Jon Coe from Golden Square, Kyan Dooley from Heidelberg, and Zaiyden Richards from North Bendigo.
After not playing a game with Strathfieldsaye because of injury in ’25, Zeb Murrell who previously played for Mount Pleasant will line up on a wing.
Mitiamo will be on home turf at John Forbes Oval to face Calivil United.
Both teams are desperate for wins and to be more competitive as the season rolls on.
Luke Lougoon will again coach the Mitiamo Superoos as Sam Maher marks a second year in charge at Calivil United.
The Calivil United squad includes co-captains Sam Green and Jack Maher teaming up with Rhys Lourie, Cody Thompson, Kade Clymo, Thomas Piazza and Tommi Raukola.
Recruits for the Demons include Will Allan from Warrack Eagles, Tyler Rasmussen from Mitiamo, and Ryan Strauch from Navarre.