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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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Local Sport

Sam Harbinson of Northcote bats during the Victorian Premier Cricket Kookaburra Men's Premier Firsts Round 5 match between Northcote and Footscray at Bill Lawry Oval, on November 23, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

Plenty of positives despite Dragons’ finals miss

A horror T20 run saw Northcote miss Premier Cricket finals by the barest of margins but the Dragons say there were positives than negatives this season.

Local Sport

NMCA: 01-Jika Shield, Finals Round 1. Keon Park CC 1st XI vs Preston Baseballers CC 1st XI, played at J.C Donath Reserve, Oval 1, Reservoir, Victoria, Saturday 8th March 2025. Keilor Park CC 1st XI bowler Jake Mcswain bowling. Picture:Andrew Batsch

Keon Park ends decade-long wait, eyes flag

Keon Park is into its first NMCA Jika Shield grand final since 2011-12 after a nail-biting win and is eyeing a drought-breaking premiership.

Northern

NFNL footy: Reservoir v Old Eltham Collegians at Crispe Park. Collegians player Bryce Fleming. Picture: Valeriu Campan

No rebuild necessary at ‘young, hungry’ Old Eltham

31 for 31: Despite significant off-season change, Old Eltham Collegians coach Matt Sleeman remains confident the Turtles will be finals contenders with a bevy of new recruits.

Local Sport

Sunshine UnitedÃs Buddhika Algewatta during the VTCA cricket: Sunshine United v Yarraville Club at Selwyn Park in Albion, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. Picture: Andy Brownbill

‘Too many bad seasons’ condemn Sunshine United

Sunshine United’s seven-year stint in VTCA Senior Division is over as relegation but the Tigers are looking to take a Second XI flag on the way down.

Local Sport

VTCA Kookaburra Sports/Turner Shield, Round 10. Deer Park 1st XI vs Sydenham Hillside 1st XI, played at John McLeod Reserve Oval 1, Deer Park, Victoria, Saturday 8th February 2025. Deer Park 1st XI batsman Aaron Arye. Picture: Andrew Batsch

How VTCA finals were won and lost

There were a stunning array of individual performances and huge upsets in the VTCA semi-finals across the weekend. Here’s how they all played out.

Local Sport

Gian Albano celebrates a goal for Preston Lions. Picture: Matt Johnson

They’ll be talking about this night for years

TALKING POINTS: Preston’s win over South Melbourne will live long in the memory, but does it spell trouble for Hellas, and there were plenty more highlights across the NPL and VPL.

Northern

Lower Plenty is looking to take another step in 2025. Picture: Field of View Photography

Lower Plenty ready to take next step

31 for 31: Lower Plenty has gone from two wins and narrow relegation survival to eight wins and a finals triumph. What can the Bears achieve in 2025?

Local Sport

VSDCA: North East 1st XI, Round 15. Kew 1st XI vs Preston 1st XI, played at Victoria Park (Kew)/ North Oval, Kew, Victoria, Saturday 8th March 2025. Preston 1st XI bowler Liam Ingram appeals for a dismissal. Picture: Andrew Batsch

Hills’ stunning upset, finals sealed in dramatic finish

In a dramatic climax to the VSDCA North-East home-and-away season, Endeavour Hill produced the upset of the year and the top-six was settled.

Northern

Aydin Dani celebrates a goal for Banyule. PIcture: Field of View Photography

Banyule gameplan takes VFL, AFL inspiration

New Banyule coach Damian Truslove says he’s adapted bit of Richmond, GWS and Sydney’s game to suit the Bears this season as they aim for a maiden finals campaign.

Northern

NFNL footy: Laurimar v Whittlesea at Laurimar Reserve. Jacob Lawson of Laurimar.Picture : George Sal

Laurimar eyeing immediate bounce back

Laurimar knows what it takes to win a NFNL Division 3 flag, it did it in 2023. The Power returns hungry for success after last-season’s heart-breaking relegation.

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