Lockington Bamawm United is targeting a finals return for the 2026 Heathcote District Football League season.
Lockington Bamawm United and Leitchville-Gunbower will be entering the 2026 season with similar goals when the Heathcote District Football Netball League begins this weekend.
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LBU’s football side enters the new season with the goal of improving its on-field structure, though coach Jayden Howe is clear that the side wants to play finals football.
Having won the premiership as recently as 2022, LBU has been surprisingly absent from the post-season over the past three years.
The Cats have an early challenge this weekend against North Bendigo in a home night fixture at Lockington Recreation Reserve, which is also the first opportunity for the club to showcase a feature of its squad Howe sees as a key strength.
“Our kids. I think that’s one thing we really need to hang our hat on, we’ve got a lot of really good talented youth,” he said.
LBU has different aspirations on the netball side, having finished second-bottom last season, looking to close the gap on a top five it has failed to crack into in recent years.
North Bendigo’s netball team was a part of that top five last season, presenting the Cats with the opportunity to cause an early boilover in round one.
Consistent competitiveness on the court is a key focus for coach Stacy Bacon, which could be aided by a strong togetherness the squad has built.
“They’re just a great group of girls, the vibes are really high. They’re going to play for each other,” she said.
Stacy Bacon’s LBU side is aiming to improve on a three-win season last time out.
LBU’s A-grade netball outfit starts its round one fixture from 5.30pm this Saturday, April 11, while the senior football begins shortly after at 5.50pm.
Saturday will also have Leitchville-Gunbower begin its season, with the senior football side entering the new year with a chip on its shoulder after a devastating end to 2025.
Following a solid regular season where the Bombers finished fifth, they held a 14-point lead at half-time of their elimination final against Huntly, only to succumb to a 27-point defeat by full-time, the Hawks completing a 41-point turnaround.
Coach Joel Donehue, who has transitioned into the box from a playing role, said that going deeper into finals was the primary focus and L-G had attempted to boost itself in the off-season by addressing what it felt was a small midfield running out last time out.
The Bombers will face reigning premier Mount Pleasant in round one with sturdier options in their midfield, also having the opportunity to send out an early statement.
“Pushing these top sides like North Bendigo, Colbo, Mount Pleasant, that’s our goal. When we play them we’re going to really rip it up them,” Donehue said.
Blake Dye was Leitchville-Gunbower’s top goal kicker in 2025, booting 34 majors.
L-G’s aspirations slightly differ in the netball, having experienced predominantly unsuccessful seasons of late, only reaching the finals once across the past four seasons.
The side is aiming to boost its win total in 2026 after a lacklustre 3-13 record last time out, though ensuring a consistent team can run out onto the court is also a priority, the Bombers struggling with numbers last year.
The Bombers featured in the HDNL finals as recently as 2024, bowing out in the semi-finals.
A round one meeting against the Mighty Mounts, last season’s runners-up, will be a challenge, though coach Katie Pollock thinks L-G does have a strength it can lean on.
“We have girls that are new to the club and new to this league, so other teams might be a bit unsure about what they’re coming up against, which will be useful for us,” she said.
L-G’s A-grade netball outfit starts its round one fixture from 2.30pm this Saturday, April 11, while the senior football begins shortly earlier at 2.20pm.
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