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2026 Pre-Season Hub

News
2026 Pre-Season Hub
Published on:
22 October 2025

Your one stop shop for all BFNL Pre-Season news, player signings, coach announcements, trial dates, coaching searches and pre-season dates!

Scroll through the list and get the LATEST on BFNL news.

LAST UPDATED: 22 October 2025

Broadford FNC

The Broadford Kangaroos will enter the Bendigo FNL in 2026. While the Roos football program has been in recess for 2 seasons, their netball program continued to play in the Northern FNL.

Coaching Announcements

  • Senior Football Coach - Nathan Thompson
  • Under 18's Football and Senior Assistant Coach- Jayden Welch
  • Under 18's Football Assistant Coach- Matt Dunbar
  • Reserves Football Head Coach - Sean Duggan
  • 17 & Under Coaches - Renee Sari & Chloe Zol

Player Signings

  • Adam Miles - Lancefield
  • Angus Hoyne - Strathfieldsaye & Bendigo Pioneers
  • Riley Edwards - Rushworth
  • Charlie Neilson
  • Sean Duggan - Riddell
  • Isaac Smithwick
  • Tynan Howard
  • Harry Behan - Lancefield
  • Oliver Lubeck - Banyule
  • Rhys Carman
  • Jacob Street-Glasson - Kyneton
  • Ryder Primrose - Seymour
  • Taiten Thomas - Seymour
  • Jai Heers
  • Dallas Zol
  • Bryce Fleming - Old Eltham Collegians
  • Owen Sloan - Rupertswood
  • Michael Basanisi - Northern Saints
  • Gavin Cathie - Riddell
  • Dillon Gillard - Riddell
  • Seb Morris - Sunbury
  • Jay Eager - Seymour
  • Will Eager - Seymour

Pre-Season Start Dates

Monday 10 November at Harley Hammond Reserve

U17s Netball and U18s Football Information Sessions

  • FOOTBALL | MONDAY 27 OCTOBER @ 5:30pm at Harley Hammond Reserve.
  • NETBALL | WEDNESDAY 29 OCTOBER @ 5:30pm at Harley Hammond Reserve.

Follow the Kangaroos on Facebook HERE.

Castlemaine FNC

Castlemaine return in 2026 after an improved 2025 that saw them on the cusp on Finals. Castlemaine will return to the A-Grade Netball competition in 2026 and look set to continue their march up the Senior Football Ladder.

Coaching Announcements

  • Senior Football Coach - Bailey Henderson
  • Under 18's Football Coaches - Harrison Sheahan & Tyson Hickey
  • A Squad & 17 & Under Netball Coach - Vanessa Saunders 
  • B-Grade Netball Coach - Nikkea Hogan
  • 15 & Under Netball Coach - Rachelle McLean
  • Netball Development Coach - Lisa Farrugia

New Player Signings

  • Jacob Bauer - Richmond AFL 
  • Dylan Landt - St. Mary's
  • Cassidy McLean

Player Re-Signings

  • Rachelle McLean 
  • Tegan Maddern
  • Kal Huntly
  • Darby Semmens
  • Hunter Staples
  • Zave Murley
  • Harrison Sheahan
  • Callum McConachy

Netball Trial Dates

  • Juniors
  • Seniors

Follow the Magpies on Facebook HERE.

Eaglehawk FNC

Our 2025 Senior Premiers will be chasing back-to-back Premierships in 2026 while Burra's Netball Program continues to go from strength to strength.

Coaching Announcements

  • A-Grade Head Coach - Jannelle Hobbs
  • A-Reserve Head Coach - Paige Combridge
  • 17 & Under Co-Coaches - Jannelle Hobbs & Paige Combridge
  • B-Grade Netball Coach - Sharni Simpson
  • 15 & Under Netball Co-Coaches - Abbey McLean & Gracie Berryman

New Player Signings

  • Mia McCrann-Peters - Golden Square

Player Re-Signings

  • Abbey McLean
  • Eden Clifford
  • Gracie Berryman
  • Morgan Keating
  • Allira Holmes

Netball Trial Dates

  • Tuesday, Nov 4
    • 15&U and 17&U - 4:15-6pm
    • Seniors - 6:15-8pm
  • Thursday, Nov 6
    • 15&U and 17&U - 4:15-6pm
    • Seniors - 6:15-8pm
  • Tuesday Nov 11
    • 15&U and 17&U - 4:15-6pm
    • Seniors - 6:15-8pm

Registrations close on Sunday 26 October. Register HERE.

Follow the Magpies on Facebook HERE.

Gisborne FNC

Coaching Announcements

  • SEEKING EOI'S FOR NETBALL COACHING ROLES - More info HERE.
  • SEEKING A RESERVES FOOTBALL COACH - More Info HERE

New Player Signings

  • Flynn Lakey

Football Pre-Season Info

Football Pre-Season kicks off on Monday November 24th!

Netball Trial Dates

  • 17 & Under
    • 6 November - 5-6:15pm
    • 13 November - 5-6:15pm
    • Register HERE
  • Open Age
    • NEW PLAYERS - 30 October 6:30-8:30pm 
    • NEW & PAST PLAYERS - 6 November 6:30-8:30pm 
    • Register HERE

Follow Gisborne on Facebook HERE.

Golden Square FNC

After a year that saw them miss the Senior Football Finals. the Wade Street Bulldogs will be looking to build on their Reserves premiership in 2026 as their Netball program continues to build.

Coaching Announcements

  • A-Grade Netball Head Coach -Teigan Redwood
  • A-Grade Netball Assistant Coach - Ollie Ryan
  • A-Reserve Netball Head Coach - Erin McGurk
  • 17 & Under Head Coach - Jody Richards
  • B-Reserve Head Coach - Monique Hay
  • 15 & Under Netball Head Coach - Claire Hope
  • Under 18's Football Head Coach - Shannon Geary 
  • Reserves Football Head Coach - Henry Anderton

New Player Signings

  • Abbey Grindal - North Bendigo
  • Hayley Howard - Tyabb
  • Teagan Bethune - Tyabb

Player Re-Signings

  • Jack McMahon
  • Daisy Stringer
  • Charli Hamilton
  • Kiera Lawry
  • Drew Barrett
  • Jimmy Wilkinson
  • Seb Pellegrino
  • Jesse Gill
  • Dermott Bell

15&U & 17&U Netball Trial Dates

  • Friday 7th November - U15 4:30pm-6:00pm U17 6pm - 7:30pm
  • Sunday 9th November - U15 4:30pm-6:00pm U17 6pm - 7:30pm
  • Tuesday 11th November -U15 4:30pm-6:00pm U17 6pm - 7:30pm
  • Register HERE

Senior Netball Trial Dates

  • Sunday 2nd November 4:00pm- 5:30pm
  • Wednesday 5th November 6pm-7:30pm
  • Mon 10th November 6pm-7:30pm (if required)
  • Register HERE

Follow the Bulldogs on Facebook HERE.

Kangaroo Flat FNC

2025 saw Kangaroo Flat put together one of the most dominant Netball season in recent memory, going undefeated to claim A-Grade and A-Res Premiership glory. Meanwhile the Roo's Football program failed to notch a win but continues to show promise with both internal growth and external recruiting.

Coaching Announcements

  • A-Grade Netball Head Coach - Jayden Cowling
  • Netball Development - Ruby Barkmeyer
  • Seeking EOI's for other coaching positions. Contact
    • Jayden Cowling (Head Coach) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Kate Newman (Head of Netball Operations) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

New Player Signings

  • Flynn Clark - St. Kevin's
  • Zac Featherby - Mount Pleasant
  • Mitch Rovers - Mount Pleasant
  • Jordan Rouse
  • Mitch Collins - Charlton

Player Re-Signings

  • Angus McPherson
  • Zac Rouse
  • Jeremy Rodi

15&U & 17&U Netball Trial Dates

  • Sunday 9th November - 4:30-6pm
  • Thursday 13 November - 6pm - 7:30pm
  • Sunday 16th November (if required) 4.30pm - 6pm 
  • Register HERE

Under 18's Football Information Session

  • Monday, 27th October.
  • Venue: Kangaroo Flat Sports Club (upstairs)
  • Time: 5:30pm start – approximately one hour duration
  • Tyrone, Jason and Andrew will be in attendance to outline the program, expectations, and opportunities for the upcoming season.

Follow the Roos on Facebook HERE.

Sandhurst FNC

It's been a quiet start to the off-season for the Dragons who will be looking to bounce back after falling short in both Senior Football and A-Grade Netball. One big change has 2024 Michelsen Medalist and 2025 Co-Coach, Lachlan Tardrew heading West to play at Peel Thunder in the WAFL.

Coaching Announcements

  • Senior Football Co-Coaches - Bryce Curnow and Fergus Greene

Follow the Dragons on Facebook HERE.

South Bendigo FNC

2025 saw the Bloods Netball and Football programs rise up all ladders and after a taste of success, the off-season has started strongly re-signing a bulk of their playing group for 2026.

Coaching Announcements

  • A-Grade Netball Head Coach - Lauren Bowles
  • Senior Football Co-Coaches - Troy Coates & Jack Fallon
  • Seeking EOI's for other Netball coaching positions. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more info.

New Player Signings

  • Nathan Kay - Elmore

Player Re-Signings

  • Kaiden Antonowicz
  • James Davies
  • Zac Sims
  • Alex Smith-Ralph
  • Logan Howell
  • Campbell Wood
  • Toby Hardingham
  • Chase Poyser
  • Jasper Langley
  • Isaiah Miller
  • Zaydyn Lockwood
  • Zac Hare
  • Brock Harvey
  • Joel Swatton
  • Hayden Geddes
  • Jake Rusbridge
  • Callum Crisp
  • Josh Nitschke
  • Tom Brereton
  • Anthony Zimmerman

15&U & 17&U Netball Trial Dates

  • Monday 10 November -5.00pm arrival for 5.30pm start

  • Wednesday 12 November - 5.00pm arrival for 5.30pm start

  • Register HERE

Senior Netball

  • Express your interest for Bloods 2026 Senior Netball Squads via the link HERE.

Follow the Bloods on Facebook HERE.

Strathfieldsaye FNC

After an Elimination Final loss, Strathfieldsaye haven't wasted any time in their planning for 2026 with new football recruits and a new Senior Coach. The Storm will be looking to build on their young football and netball core playing group to rise back up the ladder. 

Coaching Announcements

  • Senior Football Coach - Jeff Andrews
  • Seeking EOI's for other Netball coaching positions. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more info.

New Player Signings

  • Tyson McKenzie - Sea Lake-Nandaly
  • Zane Keighran - Calder United

Player Re-Signings

  • Zac Grieve
  • Joel Reinheimer
  • Jed Daniels
  • Kya Lanfranchi
  • Jack Lacey
  • Jed Brereton
  • Ned Hayes
  • Tim Hosking
  • Daniel Clohesy
  • Riley Wilson
  • Jordan Wilson
  • Sialoga Siu
  • Shannon Murphy
  • Charles Dole
  • Jye Chambers
  • Declan Lowther
  • Jack Bell
  • Daan Lodewijks
  • Joe Hayes
  • Zakai Morrisey
  • Beau Currie
  • Nate Rodda
  • Rhys Zera
  • Riley Mulquiny
  • George Simpson

15& Under Netball Trial Dates

  • Tuesday 11th November | 5:30pm- 7:00pm
  • Thursday 13th November | 5:30pm- 7:00pm
  • Register HERE

17 & Under Netball Trial Dates

  • Sunday 16th November | 10:00- 11:30am
  • Tuesday 18th November | 5:30pm- 7:00pm
  • Register HERE

Senior Netball

The Strathfieldsaye Football and Netball Club will be holding senior selection sessions on:
  • Thursday 6th November | 6:00-7:30pm
  • Sunday 9th November | 4:00- 5:30pm
  • Registration link: https://forms.gle/LAi3rXRaXT3vAfhZ6
  • For further information contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow the Storm on Facebook HERE.