Sport
6 January, 2026
PART 1: That was our sporting year
A look at selected highlights of sports stories published in the Loddon Herald during 2025
JANUARY
Harness racing returns to Wedderburn for the first time in three years with a meeting on Australia Day. Arnold’s Heath Lock leaves it until the final over to hit a fine century against Kingower. Glenn Catto, Shasta Maher and Wayne Naughton join the Loddon Valley FNL board. Boort Yando junior Jake O’Flaherty takes a senior hat-trick on debut as Kingower’s Jayden Leach snares 7-15 in the same match. The Australian Masters competition brings hundreds of water skiers and supporters to the Loddon River at Bridgewater. Leach grabs another seven-wicket haul.
FEBRUARY
Richard Hicks installed as the new chair of the Loddon Valley league, with junior development a key focus. Inglewood’s Geoff Wilson and Bendigo bowler Sharon Koch team up to win the Bendigo Playing Area Mixed State Pairs title. Wedderburn’s hockey star Shelby Giorlando tours Malaysia and Thailand with the Australian Country Under-21 team. Wedderburn’s Ruth Hall wins the North Central Champion of Champions title. Bridgewater Bulls lose 7-1, including five ducks, to be all out for 88 against Arnold. Boort Yando juniors complete an unbeaten season with grand final win over Kingower.
MARCH
Powlett wins the Inglewood District tennis grand final over Wedderburn Junction. Boort, Australia’s oldest surviving trotting club, holds its annual Cup Day meeting. Kingower’s Leach leads his side to cricket grand final victory, claiming four trophies including player of the season. The best young water skiers from Australia and NZ compete at Bridgewater over four days. Calivil North takes out the Loddon Valley tennis title with a win over Mincha West as Marong claims the Marong and District championship. Maiden Gully confirms it will field an Under-18 side in the Loddon League next season.
APRIL
Pyramid Hill parkrun is launched. Calivil veterans Evan Ritchie and Jordan Lea celebrate their 250th match milestone as footy returns with bumper opening rounds for the Loddon Valley and North Central leagues. Mitiamo wins its first senior football match for 637 days, beating Calivil, as elsewhere three-time premier Marong flexes its muscles. Jarrod Savage wins his 15th men’s singles title at Boort Easter tennis tournament. Henry Laussen wins the Rheola Sprint Gift at the Easter Charity Carnival after two years as runner up. Hundreds of orienteers take part in national three-day event in Loddon Shire.
MAY
Wedderburn’s Peter McHugh umpires his 750th match. Inglewood starts the footy season with three narrow defeats. Boort climbs to the top of the North Central ladder after four rounds as Andrew Rutley fills in for ill coach Dale Cameron. Loddon Valley chiefs have informal talks with Macorna over transferring from the Golden Rivers league. Inglewood’s Geoff Wilson and Bruce McClymont finish second in the Victorian arm bowling titles. Leah Oxford plays her 300th netball game for Newbridge. Lachie Sharp and Josh Mellington kick bags of 10 goals in race for the century.
JUNE
Boort beats Wedderburn in North Central footy’s greatest rivalry for just the fourth time in 10 years. Mellington boots 16 against Newbridge to move level with Sharp on the goalkicking ladder. Unbeaten Redbacks dominate netball A Grade. Kieren Wilson plays his 200th match for Boort. Review recommends closure of Golden Rivers league, with Loddon Valley keen to swoop on new clubs. Mellington reprimanded on kicking charge. Wind farm speculators rush to sponsor local clubs. Shelby Giorlando named in both the Bendigo District and Northern Rivers cricket teams of the year.