Jayden Howe has taken charge at Lockington-Bamawm United this season, replacing Stacy Fiske. Photos: File.
After the other local football netball leagues got their seasons started this past weekend, the Heathcote District Football Netball League is set to join the party this coming Saturday.
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Round one features some blockbuster match-ups in both football and netball.
In football, the opening day will bring a grand final rematch, with Leitchville-Gunbower visiting champion White Hills for a night fixture at 5.30pm.
Lockington-Bamawm United will begin the Jayden Howe era as the new coach takes charge for the first time with a home match-up against Huntly, also set for a late start of 5.45pm.
Finalist North Bendigo hosts Elmore in round one, while fellow 2024 post-season contender Heathcote will play Mount Pleasant at Colbinabbin Recreation Reserve, a ground historically significant to both clubs.
The Grasshoppers have the bye in the opening round.
In netball, the match-ups take an alternate slant.
Elmore will be out to defend its A-grade crown in 2025.
Defending champion Elmore gets its season under way with an easy fixture on paper against last year’s wooden spooner North Bendigo.
LBU and Huntly are both sides looking to improve on disappointing campaigns in 2024 and will be hopeful of starting positively against a fellow struggler from last season.
Heathcote finished four wins above Mount Pleasant last year and will look to maintain the pecking order with a win first up this time around.
Meanwhile, the White Hills and L-G match-up looks just as significant in netball as in football, with both sides part of the final four in 2024.
Beaten grand finalist Colbinabbin has one more week to prepare for the new year before it visits Heathcote in round two.
