The HDFNL is back for 2026, with those at the top desperate to keep their spot and those lower down looking to rise to the challenge in the new season.
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After upsetting 15-1 North Bendigo twice in the finals series to claim the crown, Mount Pleasant will have to wait until round two to hoist the flag at Toolleen Recreation Reserve, taking on Huntly in its home opener.
In A-grade netball, Colbinabbin executed a dominant unbeaten season to get its hands on the flag, and the Grasshoppers have the same core intact for another tilt at the title.
Colbo won’t be at home until round three, where it will salute a well won 2025 premiership as it takes on White Hills.
A tight, nine-team competition, the league features sides mostly centred around Bendigo and Rochester.
Colbinabbin, Elmore, Heathcote, Huntly, Leitchville-Gunbower, Lockington-Bamawm United, Mount Pleasant, North Bendigo and White Hills are all once again raring to go in 2026, the balanced competition format seeing each side battle the other eight home and away, with two byes thrown in over 18 rounds.
The league has added an under-15 grade for the upcoming season, strengthening the pathways for junior footballers.
League action kicks off on April 11, with three of four opening round fixtures scheduled for a late 5.50pm first bounce.
The regular season wraps on August 8, with five sides per grade advancing to the finals series.
The postseason begins on August 15, with the premiers to be crowned on grand final day, September 5.
HEATHCOTE FOOTBALL LEAGUE PAST PREMIERS
2025: Mount Pleasant
2024: White Hills
2023: Mount Pleasant
2022: Lockington-Bamawm United
2019: North Bendigo
2018: Leitchville-Gunbower
2017: Leitchville-Gunbower
2016: North Bendigo
2015: North Bendigo
2014: Lockington-Bamawm United
HEATHCOTE NETBALL LEAGUE PAST PREMIERS
2025: Colbinabbin
2024: Elmore
2023: White Hills
2022: Elmore
2019: White Hills
2018: White Hills
2017: Colbinabbin
2016: Colbinabbin
PAST SAM CHEATLEY MEDALLISTS
2025: Tyler Phillips (LBU)
2024: Jobee Warde (L-G)
2023: Liam Jacques (Heathcote)
2022: Tyler Phillips (LBU)
2021: Tyler Phillips (LBU)
2019: Joel Helman (N. Bendigo)
2018: Ryan Semmell (Huntly)
2017: Jarrod Findlay (N. Bendigo)
2016: Ryan Semmell (Huntly)
2015: Grant Weeks (Colbinabbin)
PAST ESTHER CHEATLEY MEDALLISTS
2025: Ella Kerlin (Colbinabbin)
2024: Brooke Bolton (Heathcote)
2023: Olivia McEvoy (Colbinabbin)
2022: Brooke Bolton (Heathcote)
2021: Brooke Bolton (Heathcote)
2019: Anna-Grace Close (White Hills)
LADDER PREDICTION — FOOTBALL
1 Colbinabbin
2 North Bendigo
3 Mount Pleasant
4 Leitchville-Gunbower
5 Huntly
6 Lockington-Bamawm United
7 Elmore
8 White Hills
9 Heathcote
LADDER PREDICTION — NETBALL
1 Colbinabbin
2 Mount Pleasant
3 White Hills
4 Elmore
5 Huntly
6 North Bendigo
7 Lockington-Bamawm United
8 Leitchville-Gunbower
9 Heathcote