It might only be the start of the November, but the football season is already in sight and the Bairnsdale Football Netball Club have been active in recent weeks, ensuring it is again competitive in 2025.
The Redlegs confirmed the club’s high profile Melbourne-based players – Lachlan Byrne-Jones, Cooper Harvey, Tom Blenheim, Xavier Richards, Hugh Longbottom and the brilliant Will Mitchell – will all be suiting up next season.
Byrne-Jones will be an assistant coach this season to newly appointed senior coach, Kane Ashwood.
The club recently appointed Paul Anderson to coach the thirds after earlier locking in Bryan Froud for the fourths job.
Training has started at Bairnsdale City Oval on a Monday and Wednesday night, with good numbers and even better enthusiasm.
Campbell McPhan has moved back to the district and will play for Bairnsdale with the only player losses thus far being Logan Austin (South Australia) and Link McKenna, who has joined Lucknow and could be the final piece in a premiership puzzle for the Magpies.
The club recently held its presentation night with the major awards going to Mitchell (senior football) and Sally Deller (“A” grade netball).
More announcements at the Bairnsdale Football Netball Club are expected in the coming weeks.
* Caption names not in order
Under 15: Olivia Pearson (best and fairest), Chloe Allen (runner-up), Tahlia Chila (most determined) and Ava Langley (most consistent). (PS)
Under 13: Roxie Jackson (best and fairest), Piper Crawley (runner-up), Macy Brodribb (most versatile) and Halle Davis (most improved). (PS)
Bairnsdale Football Netball Club rising star winner for 2024 is Heidi Allen, a young player with a huge future. (PS)
The Josh Felmingham Memorial Award went to young gun, Lachie Cloak, who put together a consistent season of senior football, playing mainly as winger. (PS)
Reserves: Liam Bleyswyk (best and fairest/best in finals), Charlie Mann (runner-up), Bryce Lind (most improved), Jason Waddell (most consistent) and Damon O’Connor (most determined).
Thirds: Max Neate (best and fairest), Ryan Cullinan (runner-up), Josh Dorling (most improved), Charlie Cook (most consistent) and Sam O’Kelly (most determined).
Fourths: Jobe Froud (best and fairest), Harry McQuinn (runner-up), Saxon Buckley (best utility), Doug Ashby (coaches award), Archer Crawley (rising star), Kael Frith (best in finals) and Wil Malady (MVP). (PS)
Youth Girls: Jessica Grimstead (best and fairest), Lara Healey (runner-up), Evelyn Gudgin (most improved), Jasmine O’Connor (most consistent), Keira Gibbs (most determined) and Sadie Stevens (rising star). (PS)
“A” grade: Sally Deller (best and fairest), Alison Dwyer (runner-up), Anna Mooney (most consistent) and Paris Dunkley (most determined).
“B” grade: Charli Young (best and fairest), Liv Rees (runner-up) and Dimity Harris (best team player).
“C” grade: Annora Virgo (best and fairest), Mikayla Shaw (runner-up) and Jess Taylor (best team player).
Under 17: Sophie Scott (best and fairest), Eve Sabell (runner-up), Heidi Allen (most consistent) and Marissa Warfe (most determined).
