2025 SEASON PREVIEW: Kangaroo Flat FNC
The 2025 Bendigo Football Netball League season is just around the corner, there’s a fresh energy building at Kangaroo Flat FNC
With an ever-competitive Netball department and a Football department that is committed to playing bold, attacking football, the Roos are embracing a new era powered by youth, speed, and a genuine team-first mindset.
Football Preview
It’s a new era in football at Kangaroo Flat as the Club embraces a new era powered by youth, speed, and a genuine team-first mindset.
Under the guidance of new senior coach, Tigga Downie, who returns to the club where he spent much of his playing days, the Roos head into 2025 with an intent to play a fearless brand of football.
This game style will be driven a local core group and assisted by some key recruits to Dower Park most notably the return of big man Nick Lang who returns from a stint at Kerang where he bagged multiple Premierships.
Lang, who has long been a dominant ruckman, will play more at either end of the ground as a versatile key position player.
Kangaroo Flat also welcome Nick Keogh, a versatile key position player from Nullawil in the North Central FL and Angus Macpherson who joins as a ruck and forward from Chelsea Heights. FC.
Key departures from Dower Park include rising star, Luke Ellings who represented the BFNL as an Interleague player in 2024 along with Jack LeFroy and goal sneak Harry Whitty.
From the Coach
In his first year of coaching without playing, Downie s thriving in the new role and loving every minute of it, saying “Coaching without playing is something new, but I’m really enjoying it,” Downie said.
“It’s been awesome to return to the club where I played a lot of my footy. The young group has really backed me in, and I love that. They’re keen to learn, they’ve attacked a new style of play, and I’ve loved coaching them.”
When speaking on his teams hopes for the year ahead, Downie said, “This year is about development – we’ve got a really even squad and we’re excited about how our reserves are shaping up too. We’ve got a young midfield that’s full of promise, but we know we might lack a bit of experience and a big key target up forward.
The challenge will be matching it with the top sides, but our goal is to be competitive every match and focus on how we play our brand of footy. It’s about backing ourselves and sticking to our style.”
Given the profile of their list, the Roos are not short of some breakout contenders and Downie highlighted Aaron Nevins saying, “Aaron is straight in from our Under 18’s side and in a testament to how he conducts himself, the lads voted him straight into our Leadership Group. I‘m very confident that Aaron will have a strong year.
Netball Preview
Coming off a 2024 season that saw them just fall short on the final day of the season, Kangaroo Flat’s A-Squad has been thriving throughout the 2025 pre-season.
While the bulk of the Roo’s A-Squad remains the same as 2024, the attacking end of the court is going to look dramatically different as the Club bids farewell to 2024 goalers, Annie Spear who has moved to White Hills and Chloe Langley who will take the court for Eaglehawk in 2025.
Despite the departures, the Roo’s have been bolstered by some serious firepower and leadership in the goal circle as they welcome back former Melbourne Vixens player, Ruby Barkmeyer who returns to the Club after several years.
Joining Barkmeyer is Teal Hocking, from Rochester FNC who will balance her alignment with the Bendigo Strikers and her Melbourne Mavericks Reserves Squad commitment for the 2025 season.
BFNL life Member Alicia McGlashan also re-joins Kangaroo Flat after a short stint at South Bendigo while sharpshooter, Ava Hamilton heads to Dower Park after a runner-up finish in the Heathcote District FNL League medal while playing for Leitchville-Gunbower FNC.
While those listed with VNL sides have been deep in training for several months, all grades at Kangaroo Flat have been participating in round robin practise matches against Strathfieldsaye, South Bendigo and Sandhurst.
The Kangaroo Flat A-Squad also participated in a Melbourne Vixens pre-season curtain raising match against Sandhurst which gave players valuable experience and exposure.
With a playing list that includes 6 VNL listed players – Chelsea Sartori, Milly Wicks, Ash Ryan, Teal Hocking, Ruby Barkmeyer & Megan Wilson – it’s very easy to see the Roo’s being there again on BFNL Grand Final Day.
From the Coach
Returning for 2025 is Kangaroo Flat A-Squad Coach, Jayden Cowling who was extremely excited with his squad’s preseason, saying “This has honestly been the best pre-season we’ve had,” said netball coaching staff.
“All the girls have stepped up – the training intensity has been incredible, and there’s just a great vibe around the club. Everyone’s bought into what we’re trying to achieve”
Adding to Cowling’s excitement is the team’s inclusions in the goal circle. “The addition of Ruby (Barkmeyer) as an ex-Melbourne Vixen is so impactful for us both in game day but also around the Club”.
“Her experience and dedication to growing the Club’s netball program has been so evident since she has returned”.
Speaking on the impact that the VNL listed players can have on their season, Cowling noted that “The VNL girls have been training October – they’re fit, focused, and ready.”
“We’ve built strong depth, and the players coming in have filled important roles seamlessly. We’re confident this group can match it with anyone when we’re switched on.”
A Look Ahead
Kangaroo Flat football will take on the Yarrawonga Pigeons in their final pre-season hit out of 2025 this Saturday on March 29 before the whole Club kicks off it’s 2025 BFNL campaign by hosting Gisborne in what is an A-Grade netball Grand Final re-match.
Round 2 has the Roo’s heading to Canterbury Park to play Eaglehawk on Good Friday.
