GOLDEN SQUARE
FOOTBALL
Coach: Bernie Haberman (3rd year)
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Last year: 6th - 10-8
Arrivals: Drew Barrett, Liam Barrett, Sam Brinsmead, Alex Marklew (Werribee-listed).
Departures: Michael Dalrymple, Bailey George, Dylan Johnstone.
Player points: 38
Last flag: 2013
First month:
R1: v Kyneton (a)
R2: v Kangaroo Flat (h)
R3: v Strathfieldsaye (a)
R4: v South Bendigo (h)
Past five years:
2018: 6th - 10-8
2017: 3rd - 15-5-1
2016: 2nd - 17-5
2015: 3rd - 17-4
2014: 4th - 11-9
Last season's MVP top 5:
Adam Baird - 70
Jack Geary - 53
Jon Coe - 41
Matt Compston - 40
Jayden Burke - 32
Last season's top 5 goalkickers:
Dylan Johnstone - 36
Jayden Burke - 36
Adam Baird - 27
Jake Thrum - 26
Jack Geary - 21
Q and A with coach Bernie Haberman
How has the pre-season been on the back of the club missing the finals for the first time since 2004 last year?
"We haven't really spoken about missing the finals last year. We were in the top five for 17 of the 18 weeks, so it wasn't all bad, but we only won one of our last six, which wasn't good enough.
"We didn't have the depth in our squad to be able to cope when we got injuries.
"This year we think we'll be a bit deeper at the top end... the Barrett boys (Drew and Liam) and Sam Brinsmead will give us a bit extra from what we've seen of them, but we know the thing we need to be able to do is score more goals.
"We think with the likes of Jayden Burke, Travis Baird, Hamish Morcom and Adam Baird that if they all hold up we'll be okay in the forward half."
Square has been renowned during your tenure as coach for a strong defensive side to its game. Do you expect that to once again be a pillar of the way in which you go about your football in 2019?
"We'd hope so and we've spoken about not just taking it for granted because we've done it well in the past... the only thing that will stop us being good in that area again is our commitment and intensity.
"But from what I've seen so far off a small sample size, watching the players roll into the defensive stuff has been really pleasing. Having had two-and-a-bit years of practicing it, our senior players really own it and it is an ingrained element of our game for those players, so, hopefully, it will hold us in good stead."
Given you had Jack Geary and Adam Baird finish first and second in the Michelsen Medal last year, what emphasis have you put on getting more support around those two through the midfield?
"The success of us playing finals or contending is not going to be based on Jack or Skinny (Baird) playing any better because they are already playing at a really high level that they can, hopefully, maintain for a few more years.
"We've spoken with our players who are approaching 50-odd games that they are the ones who are going to help us play finals.
"I don't put it on those 50-game players in a negative way, I do it in a positive way... it's exciting and they can do it, it's just a matter of having a bit of self belief."
Summary
It was a finals-free Golden Square last year for the first time since 2004 after the side was found wanting late in the season when curtailed by injury.
There has been minimal movement at Square during the off-season - three players out and three coming in, while the Bulldogs also have Werribee-listed Alex Marklew, a 190cm midfielder, as a VFL-aligned player, but don't expect to see too much of him.
The arrivals at the Bulldogs include brothers Liam and Drew Barrett - Liam from Kyabram and Drew from Lancaster.
Liam is a dual premiership player with Kyabram, won the Bendigo Pioneers' best and fairest in 2014 and will add a big-bodied presence into a midfield unit spearheaded by the star duo of reigning Michelsen medallist Jack Geary and runner-up Adam Baird.
Drew, who represented Kyabram District in inter-league last year, will add some speed to the Bulldogs' forward line, which is also a role earmarked for fellow recruit Sam Brinsmead - a member of Calivil United's 2017 Loddon Valley premiership team.
Drew and Brinsmead will form part of a forward group that will feature Jayden Burke, Travis Baird and Hamish Morcom as strong-marking focal points.
Baird is desperately craving some luck with his body, having twice dislocated his shoulder last year, while a hamstring injury kept him out of the Bulldogs' 2017 finals campaign.
Like Baird, tough defender Brayden Dorrington is another player desperate for the footy gods to smile on him after playing just eight games last year.
After kicking 163 goals over the past three seasons for Square, key forward Dylan Johnstone has made the move to Cohuna, while defender Michael Dalrymple (Kerang) is also leaving Wade Street after two seasons.
Having proved a valuable acquisition in the back half before suffering a season-ending knee injury against Strathfieldsaye in round seven last year, Nathan Holt will also return to the Bulldogs this year.
The top end talent remains strong at the Bulldogs, particularly with the added inclusion of Liam Barrett.
Given injuries are inevitable at every club, the question now revolves around how will the Bulldogs' depth hold up as to just how significant a player Golden Square will be in 2019.
Practice matches - v Seymour (March 23), v Sunshine (March 30, venue TBC).
Related: BFNL season preview - Gisborne
Related: BFNL season preview - Eaglehawk
Related: BFNL season preview - Castlemaine
NETBALL
Coach: Kendyl Hopley (second year)
Last year: Fifth
Arrivals: Georgia Lowther, Brianna Pedretti, Courtney Lawrence, Abigail Rowe, Georgia Anderson.
Departures: Allira Holmes, Carly Ladson, Ally Symons.
Coaching panel: Kendyl Hopley (A-grade); Jody Richards (A-reserve); Anthea McEniry (B-grade); Tess Davies (B-reserve); Melinda Keighran (17-and-under).
Last five years: Fifth (2018); second (2017); second (2016); premiers (2015); second (2014).
Q and A with coach Kendyl Hopley
It must be exciting to take charge of such a young side, with so much promise?
"We were pretty much starting from scratch last year, so it was a pretty tough year for the club. We will be a young side again, but I'm excited by it. We have lots of depth, which we didn't have last season. We will be developing, but our future is looking pretty bright."
You must have been delighted with the progress of the youngsters, who played last season?
"Bree Heiden in particular did well winning the BFNL Rising Star award. She remains at Square and we are looking forward to working with her again in only her second year of A-grade.
"Mikayle Dole didn't have a great season luck-wise due to injury, but she is working hard in pre-season to get back on the court this season. We also had Millie Fogarty, who suffered illness and didn't play a lot, but did well when she did. She has gone to Melbourne for university this year."
With so many young players on-board, what are the expectations going into the season?
"I think it's about building that really good culture within the club. Obviously picking these young girls and putting them through A-grade and A-reserve helps them develop and get that experience at the higher level. Our goal will be to make finals.
"We did last year, which was remarkable given the year we had. We had a shocking run with injuries. We just couldn't cope with the injuries and players out. But we've worked on that - we've brought in a lot of new girls throughout our squad. We will have a really good 17s side and obviously that's our future."
SUMMARY
Golden Square will have more than one eye on the future when it takes to the netball court this season.
The Bulldogs will field one of the youngest teams, if not the youngest side in the A-grade competition.
It's an opportunity that excites second-year coach Kendyl Hopley, who is confident the steps being taken now will be the catalyst for future success.
"My appointment is really to develop these girls and future-proof the club," Hopley said.
"(A-reserve coach) Jody Richards and I and all the coaches have worked really hard in the off-season. We haven't stopped to ensure we remain competitive this season."
Gone from last season's line-up are best and fairest winner Allira Holmes, who has taken up the joint-coaching role at Eaglehawk, Carly Ladson, who has switched back to Colbinabbin, and Ally Symons (Maiden Gully YCW).
A young, but promising list of inclusions are headed by Brianna Pedretti, who played 17-and-under netball with Kangaroo Flat last season, fellow former Roos player Georgia Lowther, Courtney Lawrence (Boort) and Abigail Rowe (Wentworth).
The Bulldogs will welcome back fellow youngster Mikayle Dole, whose 2018 was ruined by injury, and have regained Georgia Anderson, from Mitiamo, to add some much needed experience.
A busy pre-season so far has included practice matches against Maiden Gully YC and Shepparton United and participation in the annual Rochester Netball Invitational.
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