THERE’S varying degrees of expectations among the playing lists, committees and fan bases of all nine Bendigo Bank Bendigo FNL clubs rolling into the ’26 season.
Only one can be premier in each footy and netball grade, but success is defined in so many ways.
Qualifying for finals, pushing the higher-ranked teams, just being able to compete once again were some of the answers given by club representatives at Friday’s season launch at Bendigo Mazda.
There’s so many layers to the league which has a loyal and expanding sponsorship base and also the professionalism of the Bendigo Umpires Association.
As reigning premiers in senior footy and A-grade netball respectively, Eaglehawk and Kangaroo Flat’s squads are hungry to achieve more success.
Runner-up in last September’s major grand finals, Sandhurst Dragons have a burning desire to be number one again.
Then there’s Gisborne aiming to continue its run as being among the league’s best on the footy oval and netball courts.
South Bendigo is keen to build on the momentum from last year’s finals campaigns, and Strathfieldsaye Storm is another club which has regularly featured in big matches.
At Golden Square the Bulldogs are hell-bent on being back in the top bracket after last season’s sixth placing.
Castlemaine has made gradual improvement across the past two seasons from being on or near the bottom for almost a quarter of a century to be in the middle-tier and now pushing to mark a long-awaited senior footy finals appearance.
Kangaroo Flat will again field a young team in senior footy, but the return of several past players has the club confident of being far more competitive.
The feel-good story in the build-up to the season is the arrival of Broadford FNC.
The Kangaroos have been in a two-year recess on the footy front, but netball has kept rolling on.
After overseeing Castlemaine’s resurgence as club president for several seasons, Caleb Kuhle is part of a new-look league board and welcomed guests to the season launch.
“Broadford’s entry to the league is exciting,” Kuhle said.
The introduction of under-15 netball and inter-league showdown with Ovens and Murray are other big positives for the league.
Regional manager for AFL Central Victoria, Cameron Tomlins said the development of clubs and leagues across the next two, three and five years were a major focus.
For a lot of last year the regional council was focused on the northern area and the Central Murray and Golden Rivers competitions.
“There is plenty of work being done right across the region,” Tomlins said.
“Finding ways to help clubs and leagues progress, not just now but in the future is really important.”
On the participation front the region has marked an increase in every category.
At clubland, Broadford FNC president Bonnie Cavanagh-Welch said the club is under no illusion being in a major league will be tough.
“We know this will be a hard challenge, but if you want to be the best you play the best.”
Key themes for the Kangaroos as they bounced from a two-year hiatus on the footy front were re-assess, re-set and regain players.
At Castlemaine the Magpies are rapt to have an A-grade netball team back in action.
New playing coach Bailey Henderson could well be one of the recruits of the season after a season-ending shoulder injury in round one of the ’25 campaign.
Eaglehawk president Rani Maddern marks a second year in charge.
“The players are hungry for more success.
“Last September was an incredible feeling for all involved with the club,” Maddern said of the dramatic final-quarter fightback to beat Sandhurst in the senior footy grand final.
Golden Square coach Brad Eaton said the recruitment of several experienced players would be a huge plus for a developing group.
“We field a young team again, but are confident every player will keep developing and improving.”
Kangaroo Flat leapt to a long-awaited A-grade netball premiership in ’25.
“In many ways it was a relief to finally do it,” Cowling said of the grand final win.
“The squad has worked incredibly hard across pre-season,” he said of building up to take on Sandhurst and Gisborne once again.
Cowling said the club had retained most of last season’s squad.
“Milly Wicks has gone to Perth, and Steph Greene to South Bendigo,” Cowling said.
“We will have a couple of A-reserve players step up in what’s a strong squad.”
A grand finalist three years in a row, Sandhurst is likely to be a strong contender again.
Key forward Fergus Greene has taken on the challenge of co-coaching with Bryce Curnow who will be non-playing.
The Dragons will be without Michelsen medallist and gun on-baller/midfielder Lachlan Tardrew who has headed west to play for Peel Thunder.
Greene said it was not about one player covering the loss of Tardrew, but a collective effort.
A talented midfield group at the Dragons includes Cooper Smith, Lachie Hood and Ollie Morris.
“There’s quite a few players in the mix to play midfield and on-ball,” said Greene.
Trust in a footy program which has delivered results across all grades is a key for all at Sandhurst.
“We know other teams will be stronger, but believe we have the talent and improvement in us to be in the premiership race again.”
South Bendigo coach Lauren Bowles is confident the A-grade netball squad can “bridge the gap” to the league’s top three in Kangaroo Flat, Sandhurst and Gisborne.
“There is a lot of work being done and a lot more to do,” Bowles said of the Bloods determination to build on last season’s run.
The on-court leaders will be gun goaler Gabe Richards and Steph Greene.
Karly Hynes and Cayde Hayes will play crucial roles in South Bendigo’s quest for an upset victory or two as the season rolls on.
It’s a new-look at Strathfieldsaye Storm where Jeff Andrews is non-playing coach of the senior footy team.
Storm has retained most of last season’s squad where “growth within” will be a key factor in Strathfieldsaye’s rise up the ladder.
