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Ben HigginsSports Journalist

Leader Sport, Herald Sun and CODE Sports reporter covering community sport in the northern and north-west suburbs of Melbourne.

@ben_higgins84

Ben Higgins

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Northern

South MorangÃs Joshua DÃIntinosante during the NFNL Diamond Creek v South Morang football match in Epping, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024. Picture: Andy Brownbill

No recruiting rush for South Morang

As South Morang prepares to return to the Northern league top-flight, the club is in no rush to bring in a swag of recruits and comfortable trusting its premiership group.

Northern

St Kilda v Port Melbourne Colts at Peanut Farm Reserve, St Kilda, Melbourne, April 15th 2023. St KildaÃs Aaron Edwards. Picture : George Sal

Reservoir recruiting strategy explained

Reservoir has delivered one of the most eye-catching recruiting drives this off-season and coach Rohan Davies says there’s more big names to come.

Riddell

RDFNL: Romsey v Melton Centrals: Evan Donoghue of Melton Centrals at Romsey Recreation Reserve on Saturday July 8, 2023 in Romsey, Australia.Photo: Hamish Blair

How soon-to-be rival convinced Zanic to take Centrals job

A chat with a soon-to-be rival helped Damien Zanic take on the Melton Centrals job. He discusses the Blues’ recruiting and his pre-season first impressions.

Local Sport

Chris Spinella of St BernardÃs OC bats during the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association match between St Bernard's OC and Preston at St Bernard's College, on February 24, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Fast-acting Snowdogs singing in the rain

As rain washed out the weekend’s local cricket action, St Bernard’s were still smiling after securing a critical win last week.

Riddell

Marlion Pickett of the Tigers celebrates the win with the Premiership Cup during the 2019 AFL Grand Final between the Richmond Tigers and the GWS Giants at the MCG in Melbourne, Saturday, September 28, 2019. (AAP Image/Michael Dodge) NO ARCHIVING

Marlion Pickett heading South for new footy home

Two-time Richmond premiership star Marlion Pickett has chosen his local footy home for 2025, signing for a struggling western suburbs club.

Northern

Shane Doherty of Macleod is congratulated by team mates after kicking a goal during the round three NFNL Division 1 Melbourne Greyhounds Seniors match between West Preston-Lakeside and Macleod at JE Moore Park Oval, on April 27, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Macleod coach’s big win as rebuild begins

Macleod could have imploded after relegation but new coach Nick Lynch says one major factor has the club strong positioned for a bounce back in 2025, with a couple of big recruits too.

Northern

Ethan Johnstone of the Tigers is congratulated by team mates after kicking a goal during the 2023 MPFNL Division One Seniors Grand Final match between Dromana and Frankston YCW at Frankston Park in Frankston, Victoria on September 17, 2023. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Recruiting spree to keep Heidelberg ‘ahead of the curve’

Already the reigning three-time NFNL Division 1 premier, Heidelberg is only getting stronger with several big-name recruits this off-season.

Local Sport

KewÃs David Wildsmith during the VSDCA grand final between Kew and Strathmore in Kew, Saturday, March 26, 2022. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Holten Medallists lead Subbies elite XI

The reigning VSDCA Holten Medallists, a premiership captain and an Essex First Class gun headline the VSDCA representative team to face the VCCL.

Local Sport

PrestonÃs Vaibhav Deshpande and Shakeel Ahmad during the VSDCA: Preston v Hoppers Crossing cricket match in Preston, Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. Picture: Andy Brownbil

Preston smashes 85-year record with gigantic score

Preston smashed an 85-year-old club record on Saturday as it became just the 23rd team in VSDCA history to reach an astronomical mark.

Local Sport

NMCA Cricket: Jika Shield, Round 7, Camrea CC 1st XI vs Old Ivanhoe Grammarians CC 1st XI, played at JC Donath Reserve (West) Oval 4, Reservoir, Victoria, Saturday 16th November 2024. Camrea Captain Blair Dawson at the crease batting. Picture: Andrew Batsch

NMCA: Dawson inspires Camrea, Sharma dominates

TALKING POINTS: Blair Dawson stepped up as Camrea claimed its first win, Jimmy Sharma starred for Fiji Victorian and Northern Socials remain undefeated.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/ben-higgins/page/2