FOOTBALL
AFTER a heartbreaking defeat in a narrow grand final last season, Birchip-Watchem will be looking for revenge for the 2025 season.
The club has signed brand-new coach Ashley Connick, who brought his former side Sandhurst to a premiership in the Bendigo Football League last season.
This will be a crucial addition for the Bulls as they look to fill their cabinet. Their last premiership was back in 2022.
Connick believes that his boys are capable of pushing for finals this season and that he hopes he can help improve the players’ skills.
“I think if you have a side that is capable of making finals then that should be the aim,” he said.
“For me, it’s about coming into the club, improving the boys and their skills.
“The league is getting very competitive now… but at the end of the day you finish on where you deserve.
“We believe we have the talent to go all the way to finals.”
Birchip-Watchem have signed on most of their side from the 2024 season along with some returning players coming back to the side.
This includes Bill Lee, who was best and fairest for the junior Bulls team back in the early 2010s along with winning the North Central Football League best and fairest award in the under 16s back in 2015.
He made his senior debut with the Bulls in 2018 and has over 40 appearances with the first team.
Since then, he has played for the University Blues in the Victorian Amateur Football Association but ran with a few injuries during the 2024 season so now he returns to the Bulls for the 2025 season.
Birchip-Watchem have also brought in former Bulls player Jacob Christie who featured in the Bulls premiership run back in 2022.
He moved to the Rupanyup Panthers in the Horsham District Football League for the 2023 season and played 25 games, 15 of which he featured in the best players list.
The Bulls have also picked up a handy asset of Alex Hay. The big man is coming from the Avoca Bulldogs, who also featured with the SMW Rovers and Learmonth in the ruck position.
The final new player the Birchip-Watchem Bulls picked up was Ben Lakin.
He was a key defender for his former side, the Horsham Demons, and was a part of the senior’s side when they won the Wimmera Football Netball League premiership in 2014, 2017, and 2018.
With the newest additions for the Bulls, pre-season has been crucial.
Ashley Connick is pleased with how they are coming along, particularly with the motivation after the 2024 grand final defeat.
“Yeah, all the boys are doing well during pre-season. I think there is a sense of urgency after losing the 2024 grand final,” Connick said.
“A lot of the boys have improved their fitness compared to 12 months ago.
“A couple of the older boys who started pre-season later than a few of the other boys have had some really good training blocks.
“I do believe that once you get older, grand final opportunities don’t come by often so I think they are wanting to grab every opportunity they can.”
BIRCHIP-WATCHEM FAST FOOTY FACTS
JOINED LEAGUE: 1997
GROUND: George Cartwright Oval , Birchip
PREMIERSHIPS: 3 (2001, 2002, 2022)
PRESIDENT: Paul Lowry
SENIOR COACH: Ashley Connick
2024 LADDER POSITION: 2ND
2024 BEST & FAIREST: Ben Edwards
2024 LEADING GOALKICKER: Ben Edwards (102 goals)
FROM THE COACH
“I think the league will be tight.
“Particularly with the merger between Nullawil and Wycheproof-Narraport. When two good clubs merge, they generally bring out a good quality side out to the park.
“Sea Lake Nandaly will be pushing for three in a row, so they will be a good opposition.
“Wedderburn have been on the mark the past couple of seasons so they will be a dark horse.
“A number of other clubs have improved their sides as well.
“Usually when there is a tight competition, that means it will be a good year ahead, so looking forward to start the season.”
PLAYER TO WATCH
Ben Lakin: “The club is very excited to see how Ben will go being a key defender for us.
“He only featured with the Horsham Demons and has won several flags for them, even won a best on ground award one time as well.
“He will be a key asset for the backline for sure.”
Ins & Outs
INS:
George Addis (Mount Barker)
Ben Edelsten (Minyip-Murtoa)
Alex Hay (Avoca)
Bill Lee (University Blues)
Jacob Christie (Rupanyup)
Ben Lakin (Horsham Demons)
Patrick Lakin (Horsham Demons)
Rhona Conboy (Horsham Demons)
OUTS:
Patrick Veszpremi (Willamstown CYMS)
Darcy Reid (Nhill Tigers)
Kody Leith (Minyip Murtoa)Patrick Hogan (Geelong West Giants)
Jeswin Daniel (South Bendigo)
Chriswin Daniel (South Bendigo)
Netball
Birchip-Watchem will be looking towards the 2025 season with hope on their side that they can make finals after just falling short in the top four last season.
The Bulls have clearly made some signings to prove their intentions on making September netball.
One of the new players is Romi Miller, who comes from the Horsham Demons after winning the 2024 A Grade grand final in the Wimmera Football Netball League.
She has also featured in the Wimmera’s team of the year for two years running.
Stacey Hamilton has stated that she wants her Bulls to come out of the gate strong.
“Our objective for this season is to come out strong in the first rounds, especially our A Grade team,” Hamilton said.
“So often, we just fall short of a top four spot by the end of the season, so we will be making an effort to really stay close to the top of the ladder.
“Our pre-season has focused on strength and endurance with many of our other players participating in other group fitness sessions, so we will be ready by game one.”
PLAYER TO WATCH
Khiana Brooks: A previous A grade best and fairest, she was overseas for half of the 2024 season, but she is back very keen for a new season ahead.
Keep an eye out for Romi Miller too. With speed, agility, and excellent potential, she will be a big player for the Bulls.
Ins & Outs
INS:
Romi Miller (Horsham Demons)
Maddy McQueen (Horsham Demons)
Mackenzie Ryan (Mildura)
Toni Jones
Lauren Robertson (Bendigo)
Issy Atkins (Geelong Grammar)
Zoe Wilson (Dookie United)
Sophie Parfrey (Hawkesdale-Macarthur)
Amy McEachern (Canberra)
OUTS:
Demi Foott (Family Reasons)
Cheyenne Parsons (Family Reasons)
Sophie Noonan (Family Reasons)
Jenna Angel (Melbourne)
