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LOCKINGTON-Bamawm United coach Brodie Collins expects what was touted to be this year's best list in the Heathcote District league to remain intact for 2021.
Had the HDFNL season gone ahead this year the Cats were clearly shaping as the team to beat under what would have been co-coaches Collins and Kahl Oliver.
But when the HDFNL - hopefully - resumes in 2021 Collins will be coaching the Cats solely after Oliver announced in July he was standing down.
"As far as retention goes, I've spoken to a lot of the list already and at this stage they are staying on," Collins said.
"I'd expect at least 95 per cent of the list looks like it will stick around and have a kick again next year."
Following eight seasons with Eaglehawk, midfielder Collins was among a host of former players the Cats lured back to the club for the 2020 season along with assistant coach Jesse Collins, Trent Bacon, Ben McPhee and James McPhee as one-point players.
The Cats had also secured Lachlan Atherton from Eaglehawk and 200-game GVFL defender Liam Wilkinson to add to a list that finished second on the ladder in 2019 before bowing out of the finals in straight sets.
"We've still got some scope to go out and recruit again and we'll keep our options open, but in saying that, there was a lot who thought this was a list that could have gone a long way this year," said Collins, who played in the Cats' 2011 premiership.
"We think the list we have is already strong and first and foremost is looking after the guys who have been loyal to the club."
We think the list we have is already strong and first and foremost is looking after the guys who have been loyal to the club
- Brodie Collins - LBU coach
Following the Cats' major recruiting splash last year, Collins has been watching on with interest at the recruiting frenzy that is under way in the HDFNL for 2021.
"There has been a lot going on by the looks of it and no doubt there's some good players coming into the league, but I'm comfortable with the list we've got at the club. I've grown up with 90 per cent of our guys and know what they're capable of. As coach I'll be trying to get the best out of all the guys," Collins said.
* LBU's past five seasons:
2019 - 4th (13-5)
2018 - 5th (10-7)
2017 - 6th (4-12)
2016 - 9th (1-15)
2015 - 8th (2-14)
.............................................
2021 HDFNL senior coaches - Julian Bull (Colbinabbin), Dylan Friedberger (Elmore), Wayne Primmer (Heathcote), Stacy Fiske (Huntly), Cameron Van Florestein (Leitchville-Gunbower), Brodie Collins (LBU), Darren Walsh (Mount Pleasant), Matt Dillon (North Bendigo), Sam Kerridge (White Hills).
50 MOST DOMINANT FLAG SEASONS IN BFL, HDFL, LVFL SINCE 1990
No. 1 - Golden Square 2011
No. 2 - Bridgewater 2014
No. 3 - Bridgewater 2016
No. 4 - Calivil United 2005
No. 5 - Calivil United 2004
No. 6 - Strathfieldsaye 2015
No. 7 - Heathcote 2010
No. 8 - South Bendigo 1993
No. 10 & 9 - Golden Square 2010; Strathfieldsaye 2019
No. 12 & 11 - Castlemaine 2000; Strathfieldsaye 2014
No. 14 & 13 - Leitchville-Gunbower 2017; South Bendigo 1991
No. 16 & 15 - Colbinabbin 1999; Mount Pleasant 1995
No. 18 & 17 - YCW 1997; Bridgewater 2015
No. 20 & 19 - Mount Pleasant 1997; Mount Pleasant 1993
No. 22 & 21 - Bridgewater 2010; Bridgewater 2011
No. 24 & 23 - LBU 2011; Colbinabbin 1998
No. 26 & 25 - Gisborne 2003; LBU 2013
No. 28 & 27 - Gisborne 2002; Colbinabbin 1991
No. 30 & 29 - Maryborough 1998; Gisborne 2005
No. 32 & 31 - South Bendigo 1994; Golden Square 2009
No. 34 & 33 - Castlemaine 1992; South Bendigo 1990
No. 36 & 35 - Mitiamo 1999; Sandhurst 2016
No. 38 & 37 - North Bendigo 2019; Leitchville-Gunbower 2018
No. 40 & 39 - Bridgewater 1991; Calivil United 2017
No. 42 & 41 - Heathcote 1992, Sandhurst 2004
No. 44 & 43 - Eaglehawk 2008, Elmore 2007
No. 46 & 45 - Mount Pleasant 1990, Newbridge 2018
No. 48 & 47 - Gisborne 2006, Calivil United 1990
No. 50 & 49 - Calivil United 2003, Eaglehawk 2018
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