Kangaroo Flat

CASTLEMAINE ended South Bendigo’s run as they met in Sunday’s elimination final on two of the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL netball finals action.

The Magpies and South Bendigo had drawn their previous contest just eight days earlier in the last round of the home-and-away series.

Jointly coached by  Fiona Fowler, playing, and Gary Cooke, Castlemaine made a great start to the elimination final.

The Magpies led 13-9 at quarter-time and then took control to win the second term, 15-7.

Winning the next two quarters, 13-7 and 16-11 meant the Magpies were up 57-34 at the final siren.

Castlemaine will now meet Kangaroo Flat in next Sunday’s first semi-final.

The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos will be on the rebound from a qualifying loss to Gisborne.

In Saturday’s start to the finals series it was the strong defence of the Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne which played a big part in winning the A-grade clash with Kangaroo Flat.

The Bulldogs led 10-9 at quarter-time and 19-15 by the main break.

Gisborne then won the third term, 12-8.

Although the Flat outscored the red, white and blue in the last quarter, 8-6, it was Gisborne which advanced to the second semi after a 37-31 victory.

Gisborne will take on Sandhurst, the unbeaten reigning premier next Saturday.

In A-reserve, South Bendigo won a closely-fought elimination final against Castlemaine.

The Bloods were down 10-13 at quarter-time, but hit back to win the second term, 12-7.

Both teams scored 12 goals in the third quarter.

Pressure was high in the last as the Bloods poured in 10 goals and held the Magpies to a tally of nine.

At the final siren South Bendigo led 46-43.

Sandhurst dominated Saturday’s qualifying final showdown with Kangaroo Flat.

The maroon and blue led 7-6 at quarter-time and then unleashed a 14-5 blitz in the second.

A 10-goal buffer at the start of the third was 14 by the end it as the Dragons scored 13 goals to the Roos’ tally of nine.

Sandhurst went on to win 50-27 and set up a second semi-final meeting with Gisborne.

A great day for Strathfieldsaye in the elimination finals included three wins for Storm.

In B-grade, Storm faced South Bendigo.

Strathfieldsaye led 10-7 at quarter-time and then won the next three terms, 12-3, 14-10 and 14-7 for a 50-27 victory.

Storm will now take on Kangaroo Flat in the first semi-final.

The Roos were beaten by Gisborne in Saturday’s qualifying final by 14 goals.

Just a goal separated the teams at half-time as the Bulldogs led 22-21.

Gisborne dominated the third, 16-10, and then won the last, 17-10, for a 55-41 result.

Saturday’s second semi-final will feature Sandhurst against Gisborne.

In B-reserve, Strathfieldsaye surged to an eight-goal victory against Eaglehawk in the elimination final.

Storm led 19-17 at half-time and won the third quarter, 9-5.

It was a closely-fought last term as Storm led 37-29 at the final siren.

Strathfieldsaye now takes on Gisborne in the first semi.

The Bulldogs were beaten in two quarters, had a win in one, and drew the other in a 41-55 loss to Kangaroo Flat in the qualifying final.

The Kangaroos led 15-10 at quarter-time and 25-21 by the long break.

Both teams scored 13 goals in the third before the Roos poured in 17 goals and held Gisborne to just seven in the last.

A 55-41 victory put Kangaroo Flat into the second semi against Sandhurst.

Elimination final day began with a one-goal thriller between Strathfieldsaye and Maryborough in the 17-and-under competition.

Scores were eight-all at quarter-time and 16 apiece by the long break.

In the third term it was Strathfieldsaye which outscored the Magpies, 14-11.

Maryborough won the last, 8-6, but it was Storm which stayed in the premiership race in a dramatic 36-35 victory.

Strathfieldsaye will now play Golden Square in the first semi.

On Saturday it was Gisborne against Golden Square in the qualifying final.

Gisborne led 15-12 at quarter-time and then charged to a 28-17 lead by half-time.

The team in red, white and blue won the third term, 13-9.

Golden Square fought on well to win the last, 14-12, as Gisborne won the match, 53-40 to advance to a second semi-final clash with Sandhurst.

Schedule for Saturday’s second semi-finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval:

A-grade at 3.20pm: Sandhurst v Gisborne

A-reserve at 2pm: Gisborne v Sandhurst.

B-grade at 12.40pm: Sandhurst v Gisborne.

B-reserve at 11.20am: Sandhurst v Kangaroo Flat.

17-and-under at 10am: Sandhurst v Gisborne.

Schedule for Sunday’s first semi-finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval:

A-grade at 3.20pm: Kangaroo Flat v Castlemaine.

A-reserve at 2pm: Kangaroo Flat v South Bendigo.

B-grade at 12.40pm: Kangaroo Flat v Strathfieldsaye.

B-reserve at 11.20am: Gisborne v Strathfieldsaye.

17-and-under at 10am: Golden Square v Strathfieldsaye.

IT’S more than premiership points at stake when Kangaroo Flat and Gisborne meet in this Saturday’s football and netball matches at Dower Park.

Round four in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season features the Roos and Bulldogs in the Pat Cronin Foundation match.

All clubs and more than 1800 players across the BFNL will be involved by wearing yellow armbands, official colour of the Melbourne-based anti-violence charity.

The day will be a fund-raiser for the foundation’s crucial work across the country, but also to highlight the dangers of the Coward Punch.

Theme of this weekend’s round which will involves the Eastern District, Northern FNL, and Bendigo FNL is Think PAT – Pause, Accept, Think.

Key messages are to pause and stay calm in situations; accept people do get angry, but violence is not okay; and you do have choices – walk away, defuse the situation, distract yourself.

Bendigo FNL general manager Cameron Tomlins said the initiative was crucial in raising the awareness of the impacts of violence, especially the coward punch.

“Since forming a partnership with the Pat Cronin Foundation last year we’ve had many teams sit through its Be Wise educational presentations in Bendigo,” Tomlins said.

Formed after Pat’s death at the age of 19 when struck from behind in a brawl outside a pub, the foundation has done and continues to do plenty of work in schools, clubs, and community groups.

Pat’s father and foundation director, Matt Cronin said partnerships with football-netball leagues were  incredibly important.

“We believe that reaching young people, particularly young men, will make the most difference in changing attitudes to social violence.

“By giving young people an understanding of Pat’s story, raising awareness about the impact of violence, and offering practical tips and strategies to deal with anger and aggression we can a long way to reducing the statistics.”

The support of Barry Plant Bendigo is also crucial to this day.

Barry Plant is a major sponsor of AFL Central Victoria, the Bendigo FNL, and Pat Cronin Foundation.

“The three organisations are proud to share this connection and share the same values in stamping out the coward punch,” said Tomlins.

Ambassadors for the Pat Cronin Foundation include Richmond great and Channel 7 commentator Matthew Richardson; Fremantle Dockers forward Sam Switkowski; comedian and actor Peter Helliar; and Sarah Mayo who plays AFLW for Collingwood.

After a breakthrough victory on the footy field last round, Kangaroo Flat’s confidence is up going into a big game against the reigning premier.

Both clubs have a 1-2 record.

The Nathan Johns-coached Kangaroos will focus a lot on centre breaks, work at stoppages, and creating enough scoring chances to put the heat on the Bulldogs.

A tally of 45 disposals which included 33 kicks earned Kangaroo Flat midfielder/onballer Liam Collins the Barry Plant Player of the Week award in the third round.

Collins also won nine clearances and finished with 173 ranking points as the Roos won at Maryborough’s Princes Park.

Kangaroo Flat and Gisborne have been among the netball competition’s top three for many seasons.

In this season’s premiership race, Gisborne has won all three matches and second on the ladder.

The Kangaroos have a 2-1 record and are third going into Saturday’s big contest on their court.

Last time these teams met was the 2022 preliminary final which ended in a 52-49 victory for the Kangaroos.

RUNNER-UP in its past two A-grade netball grand finals, Kangaroo Flat will be desperate to make it third time lucky when it faces Gisborne in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL grand final on Saturday.

The Kangaroos and Bulldogs will play at Queen Elizabeth Oval from 3pm.

Across this finals series the Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos have already broken several jinxes.

The Roos were staring at a fourth consecutive finals defeat going into a first semi-final against Eaglehawk.

Kangaroo Flat’s finals campaign began with a four-goal loss to Sandhurst in the qualifying final.

The Roos bounced back to beat the Hawks by 33 goals and then fought on to defeat Sandhurst by four goals in the preliminary final.

Belief and confidence are high in the Kangaroos’ camp as they take on the reigning premier.

It was one-all between the Roos and Bulldogs across the home-and-away series.

Many of the league’s superstars will be on court.

Kangaroo Flat centre and captain Chelsea Sartori began grand final week by winning the Betty Thompson Medal as league fairest and best for the second year running.

A Roos’ mid-court that includes Sartori, Ash Ryan and Milly Wicks will play a crucial role.

The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne has the class and experience of Kirby Elliott, Maddy Stewart and Tiana Newman.

Another player to watch in the red, white and blue is Emerson Lakey.

There’s plenty of goalscoring options for the Roos through the play of Chloe Langley, Abbey Ryan and Annie Spear.

They take on a powerful Gisborne defence led by Zoe Davies and Charlee Kemp.

The Kangaroos will need strong defensive games from Stephanie Greene and Ingrid Hopkins against Claudia Mawson and Torie Skrijel.

It’s the first time in Gisborne’s history it plays for back-to-back A-grade premierhips.

The Bulldogs will be aiming to put the 2024 cup alongside those won in ’23 and 13.

Kangaroo Flat is chasing a ninth A-grade title.

Gisborne:

Rylee Connell, Zoe Davies, Kirby Elliott, Charlee Kemp, Emerson Lakey, Claudia Mawson, Tiana Newman, Torie Skrijel, Maddy Stewart, Demi Young.

Coach: Tarryn Rymer.

Kangaroo Flat:

Bronte Deary, Stephanie Greene, Ingrid Hopkins, Chloe Langley, Ave Lowndes, Ashlee O’Shea, Abbey Ryan, Ashley Ryan, Chelsea Sartori, Annie Spear, Milly Wicks, Megan Wilson.

Coach: Jayden Cowling.

Gisborne’s run so far:

Rd 1: bye.

Rd 2: d Sandhurst, 42-38 at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Rd 3: bye.

Rd 4: d South Bendigo, 61-37 at Harry Trott Oval.

Rd 5: d Golden Square, 58-31 at Gardiner Reserve.

Rd 6: d Eaglehawk, 53-25 at Canterbury Park.

Rd 7: d Strathfieldsaye, 40-29 at Gardiner Reserve.

Rd 8: d Castlemaine, 67-53 at Camp Reserve.

Rd 9: lt Kangaroo Flat, 43-49 at Gardiner Reserve.

Rd 10: bye.

Rd 11: d Sandhurst, 42-31 at Gardiner Reserve.

Rd 12: bye.

Rd 13: d South Bendigo, 54-9 at Gardiner Reserve.

Rd 14: d Golden Square, 77-15 at Fur Life Oval.

Rd 15: d Eaglehawk, 67-13 at Gardiner Reserve.

Rd 16: d Strathfieldsaye, 65-26 at Triple M Park.

Rd 17: d Castlemaine, 106-12 at Gardiner Reserve.

Rd 18: d Kangaroo Flat, 53-31 at Dower Park.

2^nd semi-final: d Sandhurst, 51-38 at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Kangaroo Flat’s trek:

Rd 1: lt Sandhurst, 39-46 at Dower Park.

Rd 2: bye.

Rd 3: d South Bendigo, 60-27 at Dower Park.

Rd 4: d Golden Square, 90-35 at Fur Life Oval.

Rd 5: d Eaglehawk, 76-15 at Dower Park.

Rd 6: d Strathfieldsaye, 59-31 at Triple M Park.

Rd 7: d Castlemaine, 86-33 at Dower Park.

Rd 8: bye.

Rd 9: d Gisborne, 49-43 at Gardiner Reserve.

Rd 10: lt Sandhurst, 42-47 at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Rd 11: bye.

Rd 12: d South Bendigo, 54-31 at Harry Trott Oval.

Rd 13: d Golden Square, 74-27 at Dower Park.

Rd 14: d Eaglehawk, 75-26 at Canterbury Park.

Rd 15: d Strathfieldsaye, 63-26 at Dower Park.

Rd 16: d Castlemaine, 115-17 at Camp Reserve.

Rd 17: bye.

Rd 18: lt Gisborne, 31-53 at Dower Park.

Qualifying final: lt Sandhurst, 42-46 at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

1^st semi-final: d Eaglehawk, 66-33 at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Preliminary final:  d Sandhurst, 51-47 at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

In the A-reserve competition, Gisborne takes on Strathfieldsaye from 1.30pm.

The unbeaten Gisborne team coached by Maddy Stewart will start favourite.

The Bulldogs won this season’s matches with Storm by margins of 15 and 22 goals in rounds seven and 16.

After finishing the home-and-away series in second place on a 12-4 record, Storm was beaten in the qualifying final clash with Sandhurst by 11 goals.

Gisborne marked a 43-36 victory against Sandhurst in the second semi-final.

A closely-fought preliminary final between Strathfieldsaye and Sandhurst went the way of the Kirsten Pollock-coached Storm by three goals.

Gisborne

Rylee Connell, Bella Connors, Sammi Cooke, Jemma Denman, Eloise Rodda, Olivia Rodda, Alex Russ, Tarryn Rymer, Polly Salter, Dasha Taylor, Hannah Weier, Demi Young.

Coach: Maddy Stewart.

Strathfieldsaye

Coach: Kirsten Pollock.

Victoria Carroll, Siarne Cass, Steph Freemantle, Ella Henry, Tahlee O’Keefe, Layla O’Shea, Lainey Pollard, Amaya Schmidt, Lucy Spalding, Gabbi Turner, Morgan Whatley.

In B-grade it’s Sandhurst against Gisborne from noon.

Both teams had 14-2 records as they finished the regular season in first and second place.

The Bulldogs beat the Dragons in round two on the QEO court by six goals.

Sandhurst won on Gisborne’s court at Gardiner Reserve in the 11^th round by seven goals.

The Dragons began their finals campaign by scoring an 11-goal win against Kangaroo Flat.

A week later and the Jarileey Schultz-coached Sandhurst was first to the grand final as it beat Gisborne in the second semi-final by four goals.

The Polly Salter-coached Gisborne hit back for a 57-38 victory against Kangaroo Flat in the preliminary final.

Sandhurst

Maya Dignan, Tahlia Isaac, Maggie Keating, Tarryn Knights, Kate McDougall, Lucy Sherriff, Lily Trimby, Bridget Turner, Elli Williams.

Coach: Jarileey Schultz.

Gisborne

Georgia Fearn, Shelley Farrugia, Olivia Fenn, Emma Joyce, Emily McDonald, Georgia Murray, Bridget Salter, Reese Sutton, Dasha Taylor, Hannah Weier.

Coach: Polly Salter.

After an unbeaten run to the finals, Sandhurst was beaten in the B-reserve second semi-final clash with Gisborne by five goals.

Stakes are higher as the Dragons and Bulldogs clash on Saturday from 10.30am.

Both of Gisborne’s defeats across the home-and-away series were against Sandhurst by 13 and 18 goals.

The Briannah Thompson-coached Gisborne played brilliant netball to win the qualifying final against Strathfieldsaye by 37 goals and then beat Sandhurst a week later.

A Sandhurst line-up coached by Rose Gallagher stayed in the premiership race as it beat Strathfieldsaye in the preliminary final by 17 goals.

Gisborne

Kirsten Andrich, Brooke Bernacki, Charlotte Crook, Ellie Lord, Nirvana Martin, Sapphy McCarthy, Rebecca Merrett, Lily Prater, Taylah Ranieri, Niamh Rosendale, Brianah Thompson, Caytlyn Walker.

Coach: Briannah Thompson.

Sandhurst

Jess Baird, Bec Dine, Lucia Dyer, Briona Giddings, Sophie Giles, Kelsey Hamilton, Chloe Hann, Matilda Lockyer, Ava Perez, Ruby Walsh.

Coach: Rose Gallagher.

First-up on grand final day will be the 17-and-under teams from Sandhurst and Golden Square.

Their showdown will start at 9am.

Both dominated across the regular season for 15-1 records to be first and second.

The Carol Cathcart-coached Dragons won the round six match on Golden Square’s court in Fur Life Oval by 27 goals.

It was a two-goal thriller at the QEO in the 15^th round as the Clare Hope-coached Bulldogs claimed a 49-47 victory.

After a 10-goal win against Maryborough in the qualifying final, Golden Square could not stop Sandhurst’s run to a 60-39 victory in the second semi-final.

The blue and gold marked a 19-goal win against Strathfieldsaye in the preliminary final.

Sandhurst

Tshari Brown, Charlie Coghill, Tahli Gilchrist, Lila Kelly, Claire McGee, Diana Napoleon, Meg Pearce, Neve Pinner, Jaida Raco, Milla Sherriff, Harriett Whiteacre.

Coach: Carol Cathcart.

Golden Square

Anya Basilewsky, Natalie Flood, Rachael Flood, Juliet Hogan, Lilly Hope, Emma Keating, Tess Mills, Kaylah Moon, Lucy Paton, Larni Taylor, Abbi Wells.

Coach: Clare Hope

GISBORNE takes a shot at consecutive A-grade netball premierships for the first time in its Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL history in Saturday’s grand final.

A talented Kangaroo Flat team which is striving to end a premiership drought of eight years stands in Gisborne’s way as they take to the court at Queen Elizabeth Oval in View Street at 3pm.

If results of Gisborne’s two premiership wins are anything to go by then fans can expect another thriller.

The Tarryn Rymer-coached Bulldogs beat Sandhurst by a goal as last September’s finale went into overtime.

Only showdown between Gisborne and Kangaroo Flat for the A-grade title was in 2013 when the red, white and blue won 39-38.

The Kangaroos are vying for a ninth A-grade premiership.

At Wednesday night’s media conference in the lead-up to the grand final, Gisborne coach Tarryn Rymer spoke about the quest for back-to-back premierships.

“It’s something we have never had the opportunity to play for,” Rymer said.

This season’s meetings between the teams stand at one-all.

Kangaroo Flat won at Gisborne’s Gardiner Reserve in round nine by four goals.

The Bulldogs took the points in a 53-31 victory on the Kangaroos’ court in the 18^th round in Dower Park.

“Defensively it was one of our best matches of the season,” Rymer said.

“We generated a lot of pressure, let go of the ball quickly and capped off attacks with goals.”

Although it was a 22-goal margin, Rymer is wary of an opponent which carries plenty of confidence into the season decider.

“Kangaroo Flat has a great ability to re-invent itself.”

After a four-goal loss to Sandhurst in the qualifying final, Kangaroo Flat bounced back to beat Eaglehawk in the first semi-final.

The Roos then faced long-time nemesis, Sandhurst in the preliminary final and won by four goals.

“Kangaroo Flat is in great form,” Rymer said.

“Limiting the impact Chelsea Sartori and Ash Ryan have in mid-court will be important.”

Grand final week tipped off with Sartori claiming back-to-back Betty Thompson Medal wins as the competition’s fairest and best players.

There’s plenty of star power in a Gisborne line-up which has Kirby Elliott and Claudia Mawson as co-captains.

“The return of Zoe Davies was a huge plus for us,” Rymer said of the gun defender who played in England with Leeds Rhinos.

“We have been able to move players to various positions and have quite a lot of combinations to use.”

After finishing the regular season on top of the ladder, Gisborne won the second semi-final against Sandhurst and earned a week’s rest.

“Being able to stick to our game plan and slow the tempo when we need to is really important.”

A 13-1 run record across the home-and-away series was a sign of Gisborne’s dominance.

“The great thing about all of our team is the want to improve, individually and as a team,” Rymer said.

Netball has played a massive part in Jayden Cowling’s life since he first played the game in grade two.

A long-time coach at the Roos he has marked premiership success in A-reserve and B-grade, but not the top bracket just yet.

He said a “straight sets” exit in last year’s finals series stung.

“It didn’t sit well with any of us.

“We have worked hard to make this grand final.”

A gun centre and captain of the Roos’ team, Chelsea Sartori said the standard of play across the Bendigo FNL has risen dramatically the past few seasons.

“There are a lot now playing with VNL clubs and then you have Claudia (Mawson) and Charlotte Sexton who have gone to a higher level.

“The ferocity of matches, especially between the top three teams is amazing.”

Cowling said Kangaroo Flat’s mind-set focused on belief.

“It’s about can do and we will.

“We beat Gisborne earlier in the year, match-up well against them, and learnt a lot from last time we played them.”

The Roos’ off-court leader said there were many crucial contests to be played.

“There are stars everywhere.

“One of the best to watch will be our wing defence, Milly Wicks against Maddy Stewart.

“Another will be Ingrid Hopkins in defence against Claudia Mawson.”

The Roos’ have plenty of goalscoring options led by Chloe Langley, Abbey Ryan and Annie Spear.

It’s not a first grand final for Cowling who also has great support from family.

Among his biggest influences is older sister, Lauren Bowles who is a multiple premiership-winning player and coach of the Winslow White Hills Demons.

Opposition coaches on Saturday, Jayden Cowling and Tarryn Rymer teamed up as coach and assistant coach of the Bendigo Strikers 23-and-under team in its first Victorian Netball League season.

There will be plenty of red, white and blue courtside on Saturday as Gisborne has four teams vying for grand final glory.

In A-reserve, Gisborne takes on the surging Strathfieldsaye Storm.

It’s Gisborne and Sandhurst in action across the B-grade and B-reserve finals.

Play begins at 9am when Sandhurst and Golden Square contest the 17-and-under grand final

BY NATHAN DOLE

A REMATCH of last season’s A-grade netball grand finalists, Kangaroo Flat and Gisborne highlight Saturday’s start to the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.

The Kangaroos have home-court advantage at Dower Park for the clash with the reigning premier.

Both clubs re-appointed their coaches as they chase the ultimate prize in ’25.

Jayden Cowling is again in charge at Kangaroo Flat as Tarryn Rymer and the Gisborne team chase a premiership hat-trick.

The Roos and Bulldogs showdown will start at 2.30pm.

A talented Kangaroo Flat line-up includes Chelsea Sartori and Milly Wicks in mid-court.

Both have played key roles in a great start to the Bendigo Strikers second season in the Victorian Netball League’s championship action.

The Roos also welcome back gun goaler Ruby Barkmeyer.

Other players to watch in the green and white include Teal Hocking, Alicia McGlashan, Abbey and Ash Ryan.

Gisborne has the defensive prowess of Zoe Davies and skill of Charlee Kemp, Claudia Mawson and Torie Skrijel.

Newcomers for the red, white and blue are Sheridan Townrow from Echuca, and Emily Miles from Romsey.

Kangaroo Flat’s coaching panel for this season is Jayden Cowling, A-grade; Ash Ryan, A-reserve; Kate Newman, B-grade; Nina Cass, B-reserve; and Bridget Chambers, 17-and-under.

Gisborne’s off-court leaders are Tarryn Rymer, A-grade and A-reserve; Claudia Mawson, A-reserve; Rylee Connell, B-grade; Shelley Farrugia, B-reserve; and Zoe Davies, 17-and-under.

Another big match will be at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington where South Bendigo takes on Strathfieldsaye Storm.

A joint winner of the Betty Thompson Medal in 2008 when she played for Kangaroo Flat, Lauren Bowles, nee Cowling, marks her return to the Bendigo FNL as South Bendigo’s coach.

Bowles had played a crucial role in a great streak of success by White Hills in the Heathcote DFNL competition.

A huge coup for the Bloods was the signing of top goalshooter Gabe Richards.

A dual premiership-winning player and coach at Elmore, Richards also won a grand final in her stint with Golden Square.

A new-look South Bendigo squad includes Tegan Elliston, Olivia Jones and Andrea Wilson.

The Bloods will also have Ella Flavell, Stephanie Goode and Chloe Gray on court.

At Strathfieldsaye, Jess Mangan steps up to be A-grade coach.

An elimination finalist in ’24, Strathfieldsaye Storm’s squad for this season includes Ashlee Barbetti, Claire Gibbs, Paynton Jolliffe, Brooke and Rachelle Mangan.

South Bendigo’s netball coaches are Lauren Bowles, A-grade and A-reserve; Marita Eddy, B-grade; Vicki Brook, B-reserve; and Amber Hollis, 17-and-under.

Storm’s coaches are Jess Mangan, A-grade; Kirsten Pollock, A-reserve; Makayla Dole, B-grade; Sally Nicholson, B-reserve; and Fiona Schubert, 17-and-under.

The A-grade netball match between Golden Square and Eaglehawk will start at 3.20pm on Golden Square’s court in Wade Street.

Teigan Redwood is again in charge of a young Golden Square team.

Greater consistency in every quarter of every match is a key focus for the Bulldogs.

Ins for the blue and gold are Macey Brereton, Ella Sheehan and Jessica Smith.

Golden Square’s squad includes Daisy Stringer, Emma Keating, Mia McCrann-Peters, Holly Swatton and Caitlyn Kelly.

A multiple premiership-winning coach when at Kangaroo Flat, Jannelle Hobbs is now coaching Eaglehawk.

Hobbs also coached South Bendigo into finals campaigns and is now in charge of the Hawks.

Key recruits to Canterbury Park include goal attack Chloe Langley, defender Allira Holmes, and goaler Lucy Morcom.

It’s a testing start to the Borough’s season as they play Kangaroo Flat on Good Friday, South Bendigo on Anzac Day, and then take on Gisborne.

Golden Square’s netball coaches for ’25 are Teigan Redwood, A-grade and A-reserve; Erin McGurk, B-grade; Monique Hay, B-reserve; Clare Hope, 17-and-under.

The Hawks’ coaches are Jannelle Hobbs, A-grade and A-reserve; Paige Combridge, B-grade; Melanie Oldfield, B-reserve; and Kim Schepers, 17-and-under.

Sandhurst and Castlemaine will play at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

There will be no A-grade contest because Castlemaine is not fielding a team this season.

Matches in all other four grades will be on.

The A-reserve match between the Dragons and Magpies will start at 2pm.

Castlemaine is being coached by Vanessa Saunders in A-reserve.

The Magpies’ squad includes Rachelle McLean, Tegan Maddern, Olivia Henderson, Sarah McLean, Amelia Britt and Alana Fletcher.

Coaches of Castlemaine’s other teams are Nikkea Hogan, B-grade; Jack Davidge, B-reserve; and Vanessa Saunders, 17-and-under.

The Tamara Gilchrist and Rose Gallagher-coached A-reserve team from Sandhurst will be determined to start well.

Beaten in last season’s preliminary final, Sandhurst will be fired up to regain top spot.

Tamara Gilchrist is again coach of a formidable squad that includes Heather Oliver, Sophie Shoebridge, Bec Smith, Ruby Turner and Meg Williams.

A huge plus is the return of goaler Kelsey Meade.

Another inclusion for Sandhurst is Kelsey Ralph.

The rest of the coaching panel for the maroon and blue is Jarileey Scholtes, B-grade; Kate McDougall, B-reserve; Carol Cathcart and Rose Gallagher, 17-and-under.

First hit-out for Sandhurst’s A-grade team will be on Good Friday on Strathfieldsaye Storm’s court at Triple M Park in Tannery Lane.

IT WILL be a special occasion at Kennington’s Harry Trott Oval when two of the best in Bendigo FNL netball history mark their 300^th matches.

South Bendigo coach Alicia McGlashan and Kangaroo Flat’s Karly Bingham join one of the league’s most exclusive clubs.

As they play their 300^th matches for the Bloods and Roos respectively, McGlashan and Bingham join five others in the ‘300 Club’.

The league’s games tally record is held by Maryborough’s Alicia Cassidy.

Also, in the ‘300 Club’ are Golden Square’s Lia Marrone; Maryborough’s Alisha Chadwick; Castlemaine’s Katrina Walters, and Kristen Wilson, Golden Square and Strathfieldsaye.

The milestone matches mean a lot to both McGlashan and Bingham who were team-mates during Kangaroo Flat’s golden years of 2007 to ’17.

An outstanding run included seven premiership victories with the Roo's.

For McGlashan there is plenty to play for as the Bloods are not out of the equation of playing in this season’s A-grade finals.

South Bendigo needs a massive upset such as taking the points against the third-placed Kangaroo Flat.

Most recent hit-out for the Bloods was at Castlemaine’s Camp Reserve where they won by 47 goals.

After crossing from Dower Park to play for the Bloods, McGlashan has stepped up to be coach this season and continue to play a crucial role in defence.

Strong defence in all thirds of the court will be vital for the red and white to stop Kangaroo Flat in Saturday’s contest.

A long-time coach at Kangaroo Flat, Jayden Cowling is rapt to see Bingham still playing after more than 20 years with the club.

A Betty Thompson medallist as the Bendigo FNL’s A-grade fairest and best in 2012, Bingham is a key part of the Roos’ B-grade team.

An eight-two record has the Roos in third place in the B-grade premiership race.

It’s another big test against the fifth-placed South Bendigo.

South Bendigo and Kangaroo Flat will hold a high tea celebration for the league’s newest 300-gamers after the A-grade match at the Neale Street ground.

Kangaroo Flat Football Netball Club is seeking Expressions of Interest for Senior, Reserves & Under 18 Football coaching positions for 2024 season and beyond.

The Club is seeking a Senior coach that will work with the coaching staff to develop and build our current playing group. We are committed to ensure the incumbent is supported  in development and future success of the club.

• Inclusive leadership.
• Effective communication.
• Active listening.
• Ability to give (and receive) feedback.
• Support & Encourage Development

To apply, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Phone 0419 325 937, along with your professional resume and a summary of your experience.

The Kangaroo Flat Football Netball Club, affiliated with the Bendigo Football Netball League, is seeking sports trainers for the 2023 football and netball season.

We require trainers for Tuesday and Thursday training sessions and Saturday match days.

Hours can be flexible and remuneration negotiated.

Experience is desirable but not essential, as training can be arranged.

All enquiries to be directed to Leigh Bailey, President of the Kangaroo Flat Football Netball Club.

Phone – 0419 325 937

Email - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Kangaroos bound into another showdown with Dragons

KANGAROO Flat bounced its way into another showdown with Sandhurst in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL A-grade netball series.

The Kangaroos stayed in the premiership race as it dominated Sunday’s first semi-final with Eaglehawk at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

The Jayden Cowling-coached Roos bounced back from a four-goal loss to Sandhurst in the first semi-final to end the Hawks’ season.

In a strong four-quarter performance, Kangaroo Flat poured in 66 goals and kept the Two Blues to a tally of 33.

The Kylie Piercy-coached Eaglehawk had played well to win the elimination final against Strathfieldsaye by five goals, but had few answers to combat the skill and finals experience of the Kangaroo Flat line-up.

The Roos now take on Sandhurst in Saturday’s preliminary final.

At stake is the chance to meet Gisborne in the September 21 grand final.

The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne is on track to claim consecutive premierships after a 51-38 win against Sandhurst in the second semi-final.

The Bulldogs have beaten the Tamara Gilchrist-coached Dragons in all three matches this season.

It’s three-nil in favour of the Dragons against Kangaroo Flat so far in ’24.

Sandhurst has won its matches with the Roos by margins of seven, five and four goals.

It was a memorable Sunday for Strathfieldsaye on first semi-final day.

The Storm kept premiership hopes alive in A-reserve, B-reserve, and 17-and-under.

Strathfieldsaye ended Maryborough’s run as it charged to a 51-41 victory in A-reserve.

It was a three-goal thriller in B-reserve as Storm held on for a 54-51 win against Kangaroo Flat.

The day’s play began with a two-goal win for Strathfieldsaye in the 17-and-under clash with Maryborough.

Storm led 61-59 at the final siren.

Four goals was the difference in B-grade as Kangaroo Flat bounced its way to a 52-48 win against Strathfieldsaye.

On Saturday it was Gisborne against Sandhurst in four of the five matches played on second semi-final day.

First on court were Sandhurst and Golden Square in the 17-and-under match.

Both had identical 15-1 records in the home-and-away series.

Game three between the Dragons and Bulldogs ended in a 60-39 win for Sandhurst.

It was three-one in favour of Gisborne against Sandhurst in other grades.

The teams in red, white and blue advanced to the September 21 grand finals in A-grade, A-reserve and B-reserve.

The B-grade and B-reserve second semi-finals were closely-fought.

The Dragons fired their way to a 50-46 win in B-grade.

In B-reserve it was Gisborne which led 50-45 after the final play.

Gisborne’s unbeaten run in A-reserve kept rolling as it scored a 43-36 win against the maroon and blue.

A 51-38 result for Gisborne in A-grade was the Bulldogs’ 14^th victory of the season.

Bendigo FNL netball first semi-finals scoreboard:

A-grade: Kangaroo Flat 66 d Eaglehawk 33.

A-reserve: Strathfieldsaye 51 d Maryborough 41.

B-grade: Kangaroo Flat 52 d Strathfieldsaye 48.

B-reserve: Strathfieldsaye 54 d Kangaroo Flat 51.

17-and-under: Strathfieldsaye 61 d Maryborough 59.

Bendigo FNL netball second semi-finals scoreboard:

A-grade: Gisborne 51 d Sandhurst 38.

A-reserve: Gisborne 43 d Sandhurst 36.

B-grade: Sandhurst 50 d Gisborne 46.

B-reserve: Gisborne 50 d Sandhurst 45.

17-and-under: Sandhurst 60 d Golden Square 39.

There will be five clubs which feature in the Bendigo FNL’s netball preliminary finals on Saturday at the QEO in View Street.

Schedule for Saturday’s preliminary finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval:

17-and-under at 10am: Golden Square v Strathfieldsaye.

B-reserve at 11.20am: Sandhurst v Strathfieldsaye.

B-grade at 12.40pm: Gisborne v Kangaroo Flat.

A-reserve at 2pm: Sandhurst v Strathfieldsaye.

A-grade at 3.20pm: Sandhurst v Kangaroo Flat

With the 2024 season very close, let’s look back at what happened in the opening round 28 years back.

Two of the big clubs of the mid-Nineties played a cracker to open the 1996 season at Dower Park.

Kyneton downed home club Kangaroo Flat by 10 points in a Dower Park clash where 45 goals were landed for the day.

There was a restrained mood in the Roos’ rooms after the game as a loss wasn’t an ideal way to celebrate champion midfielder Ron Wicks’ 200^th game.

The other big highlight of Rd. 1 28 years ago was Steven Oliver’s astonishing 19-goal haul against Northern United.

Yes, that’s correct. Nineteen snag rolls in Castlemaine’s 48.19 (307) to 7.5 (47) 260-point slaughter of the Swallows.

Maryborough wore down South Bendigo at Princes Park and marched home to a 46-point win with big men Jamie Bond, Ross Cuthbertson and Richard Peart on top in the marking and ruck hitout battles.

And Golden Square landed an astounding 10 last quarter goals at Canterbury Park to bury home side Eaglehawk by 66 points.

First gamer Mark Fulton from the VSFL Southern Stingrays finished with seven goals for the Wade Street Dogs while Damien Wingrave nailed five for the Hawks.

But back to the big Dower Park season opener.

Kyneton unearthed a new forward of real potential in Wayne Eve as the Tigers gradually wore down a spirited Flat.

Eve booted seven goals in a dazzling display at the spearhead and even though a total of 45 goals were landed for the afternoon Eve grabbled the spotlight with his match-winning effort.

Mind you, the Tigers had other great attacking targets in Bendigo Pioneer Luke Beattie (5 goals) and Rohan Larkin (4) while the Roos relied on Barry Pitson and David Lancaster (5 each) as their main goal scorers.

After a stunning first term in which 14 majors were landed, the last few minutes of the second quarter proved the most pivotal of the contest.

The Roos had slipped out to a handy break close to time-on in the second period with only about five minutes left on the clock.

But a couple of turnovers and a line-ball 50m penalty against Flat defender Steve Whitty, all of which resulted in Kyneton majors, lifted the Tigers within a point by half-time: 13.7 to 13.8.

Coach Derrick Filo and veteran on-baller Tony Kelly lifted the Tigers in the all-important third term with Kyneton outscoring the home side 5.7 to 3.3 to establish a valuable last change buffer: 18.14 to 16.11.

Eve bagged three of his seven goals in the ‘premiership quarter’ including one right on the three quarter time siren when he marked a Rohan Larkin pass and goaled from 50m out.

And then Larkin nailed two of his four goals for the day in the final stanza and even though the Roos added 6.3 to the Tigers 5.4 they couldn’t quite bridge the gap.

At Princes Park Maryborough fans were anticipating a day of high marking and big ruck tap-outs with Bond, Peart and Cuthbertson matched up against South’s big men John Hill and Brad Day.

Incredibly the Bloods had only six players from its 1995 grand final day squad of 22 on the field for Rd. 1.

The Princes Park Pies were inaccurate in the opening stanza landing only five goals from 12 scoring shots (5.7) while South kept in touch with a 4.1 first term.

As the match wore on Gordon Sumner and Geoff MacIlwain continued to dominate the inside ball count while Phil Hetherington provided the Bloods with an important focal point.

He sank three of South’s first term majors from limited opportunities to keep the Bloods in touch.

Maryborough’s eventual Michelsen Medallist Matt Aston continued his run right throughout the game as did the nippy Bryce Delidio, the Addy’s reporter-at-the-match Barry Denner reported.

“For South Frank Burke tried valiantly across his half-back flank, but had to lower his colours late in the second half to young Magpie wingman Aston.

“Aston took a spectacular mark on Burke’s shoulders to set up a Maryborough goal to mark his influence on the Magpies’ win,” Denner noted.

And he stated that Maryborough’s pacy new small men in Jim Moniz from Carisbrook and Bryce Delidio from Echuca had bolstered Maryborough’s speed across each line.

At Canterbury Park Square notched 13 goals to Eaglehawk’s five in a dominant second half although Addy writer Peter Harrick noted that two Blues recruit James Voutier restricted match-winner Fulton to just two second half goals.

The Dogs had best afield Bowden Hamilton, who alternated between half-back and half-forward, and he set up attack after attack for the Square and when in the back half combined well with teammates with accurate passes to Fulton.

Darren Moorhead and Peter Garner created drive from the tap-outs and boundary throw-ins for the Square while Brad Giri was prominent across the Dogs’ half-back line.

The home side had Damien Wingrave as their spearhead although Rowan O’Hara could have been more of a problem for the Dogs had he held onto more marks.

Harrick noted that Eaglehawk, with eight new players in the side, would improve “when players get to know each other a bit better after a few more matches.”

“And Danny O’Shannessy who had his wrong kicking boot on will be a good player for the Hawks as the season continues on.”

For the record down at the Camp Reserve Castlemaine nailed 14 majors in the first term, eight in the second, 12 in the third and wound up with another 14 in the last stanza.

Final scores: Castlemaine 48.19 (307) def. N. United 7.5 (47); G. Square 22.19 (151) def. E’hawk 12.13 (85); M’borough 20.18 (138) def. Sth. Bendigo 14.9 (93) and Kyneton 23.18 (156) def. Kang. Flat 22.14 (146). Bye: Sandhurst.

Main goalkickers, Round 1, 1996: Steven Oliver (Cm) 19; Mark Fulton (GS), Kel Stevens (Cm) and Wayne Eve (Kyn) all 7; Brett Fitzpatrick (Cm) 6; Luke Beattie (Kyn), Steve Heincke (GS), Barry Pitson (KF) and Dave Lancaster (KF) all 5.

I know it’s a bit further down the track, but by mid-June in 2005 Ollie had booted 967 goals in 202 games.

Ladder: C’maine 1 win, 0 losses, 0 byes, 653.19%, 4 prem. pts; G. Square 1-0-0, 177.65% 4; M’borough 1-0-0, 148.3%; 4; Kyneton 1-0-0, 166-85%, 4; Sandhurst 0 games, no losses, 1 bye, 0 per cent, 4 points.

Outside Top Five: Kang. Flat, South Bgo, E’hawk, Nthn United.

Netball results, A grade: Kang. Flat 34 def. Kyneton 13; Maryboro 60 def. Sth. Bgo 32; E’hawk 55 def. G. Square 45; C’maine 84 def. Nthn. Utd. 17. Sandhurst, bye.

B grade: Kang. Flat 52 def. Kyneton 29; Maryboro 66 def. Sth. Bgo 31; G. Square 34 def. E’hawk 28; C’maine 58 def. Nthn. Utd. 10.

Gazetted Rd. 2 footy and netball draw for 13^th April 1996: Northern Utd. vs. Sandhurst; Kang. Flat vs. C’maine; G. Square vs. Kyneton; South Bendigo vs. Eaglehawk and Maryborough bye.

Footnote: Northern United officially went into recess on 12^th April 1996, a few days following the Maine match, with the Swallows’ committee calling in BFL officials John Walsh (chairman) and Kevin McNaughton (CEO) after meeting behind closed doors for 75 minutes.

Clearly the BFL draw had to be re-arranged swiftly with Rds. 2 and 3 looming, so a club meeting was called for early the following week.

Although Castlemaine’s ladder percentage boost from the Camp Reserve game wasn’t allowed to accrue for the Magpies there was one other important ruling.

Oliver was allowed to retain his 19 goals so the chase for the ’96 goal-kicking medal was virtually all over before Rd. 2 even began. Including six majors in the finals he ended 1996 with 90.

FRIENDS for decades, Karly Bingham and Alicia McGlashan joined an exclusive club in this season’s netball action in the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL season.

When both marked their 300^th matches on the same day and at the same venue, Bingham and McGlashan earned life membership of the Bendigo FNL.

Both were presented with their medals at Sunday night’s Michelsen Medal and Betty Thompson Medal vote count and awards presentation at Bendigo Club.

McGlashan’s netball journey began at Marong in 1993.

Family links to the Binghams meant it was not long before the gun defender made her way to Kangaroo Flat’s court in Dower Park.

“Carol Bingham (Karly’s mum) was one of the main reasons I joined Kangaroo Flat,” McGlashan said of the netball coaching doyen.

“Carol had a massive influence on my life, not just in netball.”

An incredible run that McGlashan had with the Roos included seven premierships – six in A-grade, and runner-up for the Betty Thompson Medal as league fairest and best a decade ago.

As a 15-year-old, McGlashan won an A-grade title in her first year with the Kangaroos.

There were 13 grand final appearances, thousands of hours spent training and travelling to matches.

“The friendships are all so special,” McGlashan said of her time in netball.

On-court her game has evolved.

“In my younger days it was all about speed and jump.”

Karly Bingham is a five-time A-grade premiership player with Kangaroo Flat and also won two in A-reserve.

The 300-game players were still going strong across this season.

McGlashan as coach of South Bendigo in A-grade, and Karly in B-grade.

“It was amazing we both played our 300^th games on the same day,” McGlashan said of when South Bendigo met Kangaroo Flat at Harry Trott Oval in Kennington.

“Karly and I have had so many great times together.”

A gun mid-courter, Bingham set up so many attacks in the Kangaroos’ run to premiership glory across the years.

“To be awarded life membership is awesome.”

She also spoke of her mum’s incredible devotion to netball which led to being one of the first netball specific BFNL Hall of Fame inductees in 2019.

“Netball has been such a big part of my life,” Karly Bingham said.

“For a medal to be named after mum is so special. It is fantastic the league recognises mum each year.

“Life membership being awarded to me is something she would be super proud about.”

Karly said the 300^th game was a special moment across many in her netball journey.

“It’s a day I will always remember.”

Away from the netball court, McGlashan and Bingham are both mums.

They said the support from family was incredibly important and meant they could continue to play and be involved with a sport they love

Six new coaches were appointed over summer in 2010 as BFNL clubs prepared for the 2011 season.

There were some top names among the appointments, headlined by Maryborough’s Michelsen Medallist Matt Aston and Gisborne’s ‘Rolls Royce’ Luke Saunders.

The other quartet of new faces included Luke Monaghan (Eaglehawk), Derrick ‘Dekka’ Filo (Kyneton), Darryl Wilson (Strathfieldsaye) and Tony Graham (Sandhurst).

Graham wasn’t a brand-new mentor, though. He’d led the Dragons from 1997 to 2000 including a 1998 grand final loss to Maryborough by 47 points.

He took over from Sandhurst stalwart Kieran Nihill who’d served a three-year stint.

Going through the others alphabetically club-wise, Monaghan was at the Canterbury Park helm following Filo’s eight-season era which had resulted in two senior premierships.

Monaghan had previously coached the Hawks under-18s from 2005 to 2007 and he’d then had three years as the Bendigo Pioneers assistant coach.

Four-time premiership player and Michelsen medallist Saunders took over the Graveyard duties from Ty Elliott.

Not only had he played in the Bulldogs’ string of flag wins he’d also captained the successful sides in 2005 and 2006.

Saunders’ Gisborne side went down to Golden Square in the classic 2012 grannie which wasn’t decided until the final kick of the day.

Final scores: Square 16.10 (106) def. Gisborne 14.19 (103).

A Michelsen Medallist just like Saunders, Aston headed into his first coaching role at Princes Park.

He took over from Shane Fisher who’d led the Maryborough Magpies for three, consecutive seasons.

Filo had previously coached the Kyneton Tigers from 1995 to 1997, leading them to their famous flags in 1995 and 1997.

He’d also coached Kangaroo Flat from 2000 to 2002 taking the Roos to the 2000 grand final against Castlemaine where poor kicking let the Roos down.

Final scores: Castlemaine 12.11 (83) def. Kangaroo Flat 9.17 (71).

Filo took over from Paul Houston who’d coached the Tigers for two seasons: 2009-2010.

Although we didn’t know it then, a dozen years back, Strath Storm’s Wilson would become the most successful and prominent coach of the modern era.

He’d been in charge at Dower Park in 2008 and 2009 and had suceeded in leading the Roos to the 2009 preliminary final.

Final scores: South Bendigo 16.11 (107) def. K. Flat 10.15 (75). The Roos had downed Eaglehawk and Gisborne in earlier finals in that 2009 season.

And then out at Tannery Lane Darryl has moulded the BFNL’s premier side of the modern era as the Storm won flags in 2014-15 and then again in 2017 and 2019.

So that was the list of 2011’s brand new incoming coaches.

But four senior coaches from 2010 had stayed on for the upcoming season.

Premiership mentor Nick Carter would lead Golden Square for another season although he took a couple of weeks after the Wade Street Dogs 2010 flag celebrations had eased off to re-sign with his club.

Paul Eyles was returning for a return stint with Castlemaine and like Carter was going to be back for a second year.

However, Eyles had also enjoyed an earlier crack at coaching in the early Noughties.

He led the Camp Reserve Pies in 2004-2005.

Third returning coach was Murray Collins at Kangaroo Flat who, like Carter and Eyles, was saddling up for a second year.

Longest serving coach to re-sign was South’s Rick Coburn who was going into his fifth season.

He’d taken the Bloods to two second finishes in 2009 and 2010 along with 3^rd and 4^th placings, but sources had told footy writers the Bloods would go into 2011 with a much younger list.

2009 grand final: G Square 16.12 def. S. Bendigo 10.11 and 2010 grand final, G. Square 11.21 def. S. Bendigo 8.10.

So how did this impressive array of coaches end up as September in 2011 wound to a close?

Well, Carter’s Square finished unbeaten on top  of the ladder with an 18 win-0 loss record and cantered home in the grand final over Eaglehawk by 135 points.

They restricted the Two Blues to just five majors for the day.

At the other end of the table Filo’s Tigers didn’t win a game so they finished up with the exact reverse to Square: 0 wins and 18 losses.

So the ladder read at the end of August: Golden Square 18 wins, 0 losses, 72 prem. points, 267.3%; Eaglehawk 13-5, 52, 133.5%; Gisborne 12-6, 48, 142.99%; Sandhurst 11-7, 44, 130.5%; South Bendigo 11-7, 44, 117.4%.

Outside the Five: S’saye Storm 9-9, 36, 124.1%; Maryborough 9-9, 36, 81.8%; Kang. Flat 5-13, 20, 84.8%; C’maine 2-16, 8 prem. points, 55.9% and Kyneton 0-18, 0 points, 27.45%.

So Carter ended 2011 with a brilliant season -- home and away and finals. An unbeaten season for the Square.

And apart from the disastrous grand final Monaghan’s Two Blues did OK. As did Saunders with the Graveyard Dogs reaching the preliminary final.

Graham and Coburn probably rated in the 60-65 per cent mark as both clubs were gone by the end of the second week of the finals.

Wilson’s Storm were pretty new to the BFNL in 2011 so he gets a pass mark and so does Aston with the Princes Park Pies.

Both clubs had a nine win-nine loss record

Eyles and ‘Muzza’ Collins fall short of a pass mark, but at least the Roos under Collins scraped together five wins.

But Filo’s at the bottom of the barrel with the winless Tigers not setting any benchmarks at the Kyneton Showgrounds.

And there were some familiar faces in district coaching ranks for the 2011 season.

In the Heathcote DFNL North Bendigo had appointed Damien Lock, who’d played 18 AFL games for Carlton in 1998 and 1999.

Locky was also an Eaglehawk premiership player and back a little further in his footy career had won the VFL’s Bendigo Diggers fairest and best award.

Ash Wilson was the new coach at HDFL club Huntly. He’d enjoyed a fine career with Kangaroo Flat and had later coached premiership sides at Wandella and in partnership with Barry Pitson took Mitiamo to their 1999 flag.

Matt Pinniger was back in familiar territory at Colbinabbin as he took over from Brent Millar who’d led the Grasshoppers to the 2008 HDFNL flag.

At Mount Pleasant well-travelled local footy personality Denis Grinton had been named as the Mounts coach.

He took over from former Gisborne star Shane Davis who’d handed in his resignation in November 2010.

But it was a late appointment for Mounts as Grinton’s coaching job wasn’t revealed until mid-December.

Jason ‘Jugga’ Stevens was the new man at White Hills having stepped up from assistant coach.

Stevens served under Brent Dyer and for the 2011 season would have ex-South Bendigo outside midfielder Gavin Bowles as his assistant.

Incoming coaches in the LVFL for 2011 included Phil Walsh (YCW) who’d previously coached the Eagles to their 1997 flag.

Jim Angove was taking up the reins at the Marong Panthers, Phil Birchmore was to helm Newbridge while up at Pyramid Hill Leigh Davies was taking over from Shawn Filo whose health issues meant he had to step down.

Notice is hereby given that the 2022 Annual General Meeting of the Bendigo Football Netball League will be held on Wednesday 18th January 2023, at The Bendigo Club (22 Park St, Strathdale), commencing at 7.30pm. 

Light refreshments and nibbles will be available following the meeting.

Please find below official notice of the annual general meeting, along with a Board of Management Nomination form for any prospective BFNL Board members.

Please take note of the submission deadline for Board nomination forms, along with any other general business to be considered by the Board.

General Business submission deadline: Wednesday 5th January 2022 at 6.00pm.

We look forward to seeing you there.

DEPARTURES of ruckman Hamish Hosking and captain Lee Coghlan from Sandhurst have continued what’s been a dramatic couple of weeks across the Bendigo Bank Bendigo Football Netball League.

Best and fairest in his two seasons with the Dragons, Hosking has signed to play with Birchip-Watchem in the Goldacres North Central FNL in ’24.

For Coghlan it’s a return to Bridgewater where his footy career kicked off.

A Michelsen medalist as the Bendigo FNL’s fairest and best in 2009, Coghlan also won a premiership with the Dragons in 2016.

He led Sandhurst to last month’s grand final against Golden Square.

There’s been plenty of change at Golden Square since the dramatic grand final victory.

The Bulldogs this week announced Brad Eaton would replace premiership winning coach Christian Carter for the ’24 season.

An assistant coach of the Bulldogs in ’23, Eaton will be in charge of a new-look squad.

Multiple premiership winners with the blue and gold, Jack Geary and Hamish Morcom will tackle senior coaching roles at Cohuna Kangas and Harlowe Huntly Hawks respectively.

The Bulldogs will also be without long-time ruckman Matt Compston who has retired.

Just weeks after joining the premier’s club, Zavier Murley will leave Golden Square to play for Castlemaine next season.

The Bulldogs will welcome back Kyle Stevens who had played some senior games for the club when he was with the Latrobe University Bendigo Pioneers.

From Merbein, Stevens was a premiership winner with Birchip-Watchem Bulls in ’22.

A huge plus for Castlemaine’s new senior coach Michael Hartley was being able to lure former players Kalan Huntly and Darby Semmens back to the club.

After playing key roles in Harcourt’s unbeaten run to the Maryborough Castlemaine District FNL premiership, Huntly and Semmens will make their way back to Camp Reserve.

Kangaroo Flat’s new senior coach Michael Ellings takes charge of a team whose recruits include Gisborne premiership winner Luke Ellings, and former Eaglehawk player Justin Bateson.

After a playing career with North Launceston, Ellings was an assistant coach at Old Launcestonians in Tasmania.

Next season will be his first as a senior coach.

The Roos have re-signed many of their talented youngsters, but will be without talented on-baller Mitch Trewhella who will play for Rochester Tigers.

The Tigers will also welcome back Dillon Williams from Eaglehawk.

Bridgewater has landed several recruiting coups so far.

The Mean Machine is bolstered by the arrival of Coghlan and by Lachlan Sharp, a four-time premiership player with Strathfieldaye and multiple winner of the Ron Best Medal as the league’s leading goalkicker.

Sharp has left Triple M Park to take up an assistant coaching role where Bridgewater will again be coached by Rick Ladson, a Hawthorn premiership winner in 2008 and also a premiership-winning coach with Golden Square.

Also on their way to Bridgewater are the Strathfieldsaye Storm trio of Harry Conway, Jack Neylon and Joseph Mayes.

Recruits at Bears Lagoon Serpentine include new senior coach Jake Wilkinson from Sandhurst.

A key defender, Wilkinson will play a crucial role for the Bears, as will ruckman Nathan Twigg and the skilfull Darcy Hawker who return from Boort.

Coach of the past two seasons, Justin Laird will play on for the Bears.

Another newcomer at BLS is Doolan Nihill from White Hills.

Marong’s pursuit of a premiership hat-trick in the Loddon Valley will be done without brilliant forward Brandyn Grenfell who has headed further north to play for Nyah Nyah West United.

In the Heathcote District FNL there’s been some significant changes.

Coach of Mount Pleasant’s premiership teams in 2005 and ’06, Cameron Carter returns to Toolleen as senior coach once again.

Carter takes charge again after Adam Baird and Ben Weightman stepped down after leading the Blues to grand final glory in September.

This season’s runner-up, Heathcote has signed Kyneton ruckman James Orr.

The Andrew Saladino-coached Saints are likely to hold most of this year’s team.

At North Bendigo, Tyson Findlay returns to the Bulldogs’ kennel after a stint with Cohuna which included coaching the Kangas last season.

A triple premiership winner with the club, Findlay also won the Sam Cheatley Medal as the Heathcote DFNL fairest and best in 2014.

Another big recruit at North Bendigo is key defender Hamish McCartney from Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.

Coaching changes in the North Central league include Kangaroo Flat midfielder Mitchell Collins taking charge at Charlton.

Top ruckman Josh Potter is Donald’s new coach.

A three-year stint by Rohan Brown included being runner-up in ’22. Brown will coach Lake Wendouree next season.

St Arnaud is on the coaching search.

A SIX-TIME premiership player and long-time star on the netball court, Alicia McGlashan has taken on South Bendigo’s A-grade coaching role for the ’24 season.

McGlashan's third year at South Bendigo will be one of the most challenging of a brilliant career.

It’s a change at the top for the Bloods after Jannelle Hobbs stepped down as A-grade coach.

After fifth placing this season, South Bendigo welcomes back Lynley Strachan as assistant coach of the A-grade team.

The Bloods also have Marita Eddy staying on to coach the A-reserve team.

At Castlemaine it will be Chloe Hughes in the role as senior coach.

A brilliant run by the Fiona Fowler and Gary Cooke-coached Magpies in the past two years included fourth placing in ’22, and a preliminary final loss to eventual premier Gisborne last month.

Hughes won a premiership with Shepparton United and returned to the court late this season after spending many months on the sidelines because of injury.

At Kangaroo Flat it will be Jayden Cowling in charge once again.

Coach of the Roos’ A-grade team since 2018, Cowling recently signed a two-year extension.

Not only is Cowling committed to the Roos, a club he’s been with for many years, but he will also coach the Bendigo Strikers 23-and-under team in the Victorian Netball League.

There’s been some key changes to the off-court structure at North Bendigo as the club strives to compete in A-grade finals once again.

After taking charge in the second half of the season, Kiralee Kinder and Stacee Kingdon will again team up to coach the A-grade team.

A major recruiting coup for the Bulldogs was gaining Liz Taylor from South Bendigo to be the director of coaching.

Two of the club’s finest netballers, Kristie Alford and Bobbie Simpson will play crucial roles as netball operations manager and B-grade coach respectively.

KANGAROO Flat finally broke Sandhurst’s dominance against it to win the Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL’s A-grade preliminary final on Saturday.

The Jayden Cowling-coached Kangaroos showed they had learnt a lot from the four-goal loss to the Dragons in the qualifying final as they took to the court at Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Led brilliantly by the play of Milly Wicks at wing defence and Abbey Ryan at goal attack, Kangaroo Flat surged to a nine-goal lead by half-time.

It was goal-for-goal throughout the third as the Flat maintained a nine-goal buffer.

The Tamara Gilchrist-coached Sandhurst capitalised on some turnovers in the final term to edge closer, but the Roos steadied and led 51-47 at the final siren.

Kangaroo Flat’s players and supporters celebrated a long-awaited victory against the maroon and blue.

The focus now moves on to a grand final showdown with reigning premier, Gisborne.

The Tarryn Rymer-coached Gisborne beat the Roos in the 18^th round.

Belief played a big part in the Roos’ latest triumph and will be the theme in trying to net the A-grade premiership trophy for the first time since 2016.

Kangaroo Flat was runner-up to long-time nemesis, Sandhurst in 2019 and ’22.

In this season’s run to the finals, Kangaroo Flat scored a six-goal win on Gisborne’s court in the ninth round.

During the year, Jayden Cowling and Tarryn Rymer teamed up as coach and assistant coach of the Bendigo Strikers 23-and-under team in its debut Victorian Netball League season.

It was a superb finish to the A-reserve preliminary final between Strathfieldsaye and Sandhurst.

Both teams had met in the qualifying final which went the way of the Dragons, 45-34.

After a seven-goal loss to Gisborne in the second semi-final, Sandhurst took on the Storm which had won the first semi-final against Maryborough by 10 goals.

It had been one-all between the Dragons and Storm across the home-and-away series.

Storm surged to a 41-38 victory in Saturday’s preliminary final and will now face Gisborne in the season decider.

Gisborne dominated the B-grade preliminary final against Kangaroo Flat.

The team in red, white and blue charged to a 57-38 victory.

It will be a big day of netball for Gisborne as it takes on Sandhurst in the grand final.

The Dragons have qualified for three grand finals.

Sandhurst marked a 51-32 victory against Strathfieldsaye in the B-reserve preliminary final.

First-up on Saturday were the 17-and-under teams from Golden Square and Strathfieldsaye.

It was the Bulldogs who controlled a lot of the contest to score a 56-37 victory against Storm’s rising stars.

Five clubs will be represented across grand final day.

Gisborne will be vying for premiership glory in four grades.

The Sandhurst Dragons will have three teams in action.

Golden Square, Kangaroo Flat and Strathfieldsaye Storm all have one team which has reached that one day in September.

Schedule for Saturday’s grand finals at Queen Elizabeth Oval, View Street:

17-and-under at 9am: Sandhurst v Golden Square.

B-reserve at 10.30am: Gisborne v Sandhurst.

B-grade at 12.00pm: Sandhurst v Gisborne.

A-reserve at 1.30pm: Gisborne v Strathfieldsaye.

A-grade at 3.00pm: Gisborne v Kangaroo Flat