Lockington Bamawm United is set to get its season under way on Saturday, and the senior football team is looking to return to the finals after a disappointing finish to 2024.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The Cats claimed the Heathcote District Football League senior flag in 2022, losing just one regular-season game en route to the title.
But in 2023, the reigning premier found itself in sixth spot following the home-and-away season, one game shy of the finals after finishing with an 8-8 record.
The Cats were an intriguing combination — they toughed out a tight battle to defeat eventual premier Mount Pleasant in round nine but also suffered a 51-point loss to Leitchville-Gunbower in round 14, the side that denied them fifth spot on the ladder.
When it put it together, LBU was able to match it with the best, but was also capable of conceding big scores against opposition it probably should have beaten.
But 2024 represents a fresh opportunity for coach Stacy Fiske, who returns for his second season in the blue-and-white hoops, and has armed himself with handy recruits to make a tilt at the title.
Matt Butler, a senior premiership player at the Horsham Saints, will fill the role as assistant coach alongside Fiske, and will provide a big target inside forward 50.
Joining him will be his brothers, Jack, a reliable defender set to patrol across half-back, and Taylor, an endurance machine set to provide grunt through the middle.
Jayden Howe joins the club from Echuca, where he captained a reserves flag in 2022, while also coaching the thirds to the premiership last year, and will provide valuable insight as an assistant coach alongside Butler.
Add Elijah Bruns, who arrives from Echuca, and Stuart Taylor, who crosses from Moama, to a returning core that includes the likes of Anthony McMahon, Tyler Phillips and Charlie Hinks, and LBU looks set to threaten once again.
The Cats kick off against Leitchville Gunbower on Saturday at home, in what looks set to be an entertaining clash between two sides looking to rise.