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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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Riddell

RDFNL big calls: bigger finals to make for grandstand finish

SEASON PREVIEW: Thrown a blanket over a host of clubs, the RDFNL premiership is well and truly up for grabs in an expanded finals series.

Northern

NFNL: Division 1 Melbourne Greyhounds Seniors, Grand Final. Heidelberg VS Montmorency, played at Preston City Oval, Preston, Victoria, Saturday 21st September 2024. Heidelberg celebrate winning the 2024 premiership. Picture: Andrew Batsch

NFNL big calls: is everyone playing for second?

SEASON PREVIEW: Can anyone stand up to the might of Heidelberg in NFNL Division 1? Who are the top premiership contenders in Division 2 and 3?

Northern

Jordan Perry and Noah Penry celebrate a Northcote Park win. Picture: Field of View Photography

Deeper Northcote Park ready for finals run

31 for 31: After an injury crisis last year, Northcote Park has significantly improved its depth, including a clutch of Echuca recruits, and is confident of a finals charge in 2025.

Local Sport

Preston celebrates its VSDCA North-East premiership.

Undefeated champion: Preston ends flag drought

It’s been more than two decades but Preston is finally back on top of the VSDCA mountain and the Bullants did it in style, completing an undefeated season.

Northern

HurstbridgeÃs Joel Naylor celebrates a goal during the NFNL Macleod v Hurstbridge football match in Rosanna, Saturday, June 17, 2023. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The little gains to take Hurstbridge to next level

31 for 31: Hurstbridge is confident some impressive recruits and small tweaks can help take the club from back-to-back elimination finals to premiership contention.

Northern

NFNL footy: Heidelberg West v Kilmore at Heidelberg Park. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Jealously fuelling Kilmore’s pre-season

31 for 31: A handful of “A-Grade type” recruits, including a VFL talent and a tinge of jealousy is fuelling Kilmore’s ambition to play finals in 2025.

Riddell

Woodend-Hesket players after a pre-season practice match.

Why Woodend-Hesket is confident of finals return

Woodend-Hesket coach Alistair Rae believes his 2025 side is as talented as the 2023 team that reached the RDFNL grand final. Here’s why confidence levels are so high.

Northern

Bundoora leaders Jesse King, Peter McEvoy and Liam Mallia.

McEvoy to lead Bundoora’s new era

31 for 31: Bundoora’s reset will have a new leader with Peter McEvoy, former Coburg VFL skipper, named captain and two young guns will be under his wing.

Riddell

Injection of talent has Centrals eyeing finals

Melton Centrals has had an injection of talent over the summer and combined with its existing squad is confident of making a run at the RDFNL top-six.

Northern

Scott Conte of Panton Hill celebrates kicking a goal during the round four NFNL Division 2 MC Labour Seniors match between Watsonia and Panton Hill at Binnak Park, on April 27, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

What Panton Hill needs to challenge for finals

31 for 31: With a stable playing group and a consistent style, Panton Hill believes now is the time for the club to challenge for NFNL Division 2 finals.

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