Colbinabbin is chasing a fourth straight flag, but will face stiff challenges from all four of last year's finalists and an eager and improved bunch of teams trying to force their way into the top five.
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COLBINABBIN
Last year: Premiers
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2017 Best and fairest: Brydie Lawford
Arrivals: Olivia McEvoy (returning), Allie Nixon, Mardi Ryan (under-17s).
Departures: Annie Cobbledick (Shepparton Swans), Sophie Robertson (overseas).
Coach’s comment: “We get Olivia McEvoy back after a year off, which is very exciting and we have decided to bring up Mardi Ryan from the under-17s as a permanent fixture in A-grade. She has been one of top juniors over the last few years.” – Liz Cobbledick
ELMORE
Last year: Eighth
Best and fairest: Carly Demeo
Arrivals: Mel Corbett (Kangaroo Flat), Abbey Hay (Mitiamo), Lauren McKee (Stanhope), Kathryn Friswell (North Bendigo), Stephanie Donnellon (YCW), Samantha Borserio (Harcourt).
Coach’s comment: “I have a squad of players still and won't be selecting (final) teams until the Thursday prior to round one, including who gets our A grade bibs. There’s still a lot of hard work to be done and combinations to be worked on, but I'm extremely pleased with the strength across all the teams at Elmore and the mentoring program we have introduced for our coaches.” – Sue Borserio
HEATHCOTE
Last year: Ninth
Best and fairest: Tanya O’Halloran
Arrivals: Lorrae Closter (South Bendigo), Felicity Hasthorpe (Beaufort), Chan Whiting (Beaufort), Jenna Herring (Rochester), Maddi Hooke (17-and-under).
Departures: Taylor French (South Bendigo).
Coach’s comment: “We’ve had a really solid pre-season and really good numbers, so hopefully we can roll that into the season. It will be a really tough start to the season (first game versus Colbinabbin), but we will be able to see just where we are at. We are looking to integrate our new players into our existing lot and hopefully get a few more wins on the board and be more competitive.” – Lorrae Closter
HUNTLY
Last year: Fourth.
2017 Best and fairest: Kim Bell.
Arrivals: Caitlyn McPhee, Alex Waterman (stepping up from A-reserve).
Departures: Jayeden Quin (Melbourne).
Coach’s comment: “Our aim obviously is to make finals, but I think Huntly has had a reputation of bombing out in finals. So our goal and expectation this year is not to just make finals, but to win one as well and starting to build a culture of being a finals winning club.” – Emily Eliades
LEITCHVILLE-GUNBOWER
Last year: Fifth
Arrivals: Sammi Drover (returning), Kaitlyn Wishart, Kate Donehue.
Departures: Jodie Lake (football), Kym Hanna.
Coach’s comment: “We are still in the mix of working out who will develop and in what position, but we are working through that.” – Jordy Holman
LOCKINGTON-BAMAWM UNITED
Last year: Sixth
Best and fairest: Rebecca Eade
Arrivals: Carlie Jones (returning), Tracey Ogden (Echuca), Michelle McIntosh , Annalesa Turner, Hannah Sidebottom, Lyndall Taylor, Claudia Callagher.
Departures: Paige Randall, Sarah Eade, Kristy Roulston.
Operations manager’s comment: “Practice matches against Calivil and Girgarre have shown the girls to be competitive. We have over 25 years coaching experience with Mandy Walker and Sue Stewart coaching our senior grades, with their focus on good strong disciplined coaching. We had over 50 girls try out for our four senior teams, that is 36 positions, from a wider catchment area than normal. We have stronger teams through all grades.” – Sandy Schroen
MOUNT PLEASANT
Last year: Third
Best and fairest: Chantal O’Brien.
Arrivals: Kate McCann (returning), Hayley Marinello, Georgie Eddy.
Departures: Clare Hope, Abbey Dorrington, Sophie O’Shannessy.
Coach’s comment: “We’ve still got a bit to work on, but we’ve clicked pretty well given we only have about a handful of us from last year; it’s a relatively new group. We hope to at least be in the finals mix again. You hear bits and pieces, but it does look like a lot of the teams have been strengthened and there are some new coaches, which always reinvigorates clubs.” – Belinda Pinner
NORTH BENDIGO
Last year: Seventh
2017 Best and fairest: Jacqueline Hine.
Arrivals: Brylie Parker (Maryborough), Amber Weston (returning), Lara Daly (Marong), Jane Reid (Newbridge), Jordan Arthur (returning), Kayley Stewart (South Bendigo).
Departures: Jacqueline Hine (pregnant), Ash Alford (Baby), Bridget McDougall (university commitments), Lauren Oates (police force), Lauren Amor (pregnant).
Coach’s comment: “We started pre-season pretty early and have had good numbers, which I am very happy about. We based the first few months on our fitness, so we’re hoping we carry that through the year. Lara Daly has come across from Marong and I’ve been really impressed with her, and Jane Reid will be an inclusion later in the year that we are very excited about.” – Ellena Findlay
WHITE HILLS
Last year: Second
Best and fairest: Anna-Grace Close and Lauren Bowles
Arrivals: Ash Gilmore, Julz Baldock, Karlie Baker, Chloe Gloury, Elise Findlay, Katelyn Parry, Sophie Williams, Bec Lightowler, Bri Hamblin.
Departures: Brooke Watson, Nene Cass, Mandy McIntosh, Cherie Walker, Lisa Argus, Sara Russell, Jess Sawyer, Rindy Sawyer.
Coach’s comment: “I am very happy with our recruiting and the thing that impresses me at White Hills is we don’t go out actively recruiting players; we’ve been lucky that we have been a successful club and girls want to be a part of that. The girls we have recruited have got a lot talent. There’s every possibility we can be a stronger team this year.” – Lauren Bowles