BY NATHAN DOLE
Demons outplay Saints at Heathcote
THE Winslow White Hills Demons capped an outstanding run in the home-and-away series by scoring a three-goal win at Heathcote in Saturday’s 17th round in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL senior footy action.
The ability of the Demons to capitalise on skill errors by the Saints was a key factor in the 75-57 victory on Heathcote’s turf at Pigeon Park in Barrack Reserve.
In a closely-fought first quarter it was the Demons who goaled twice through Liam Bartels and another by Kaiden Antonowicz.
Heathcote’s only goal in the opening term was off the boot of Cooper Webber-Mirkin.
A goal by Ryan Walker and another by Antonowicz from an acute angle put the Demons in control of the contest.
The Saints struck back with a Corey Grindlay goal.
When Grindlay kicked his second to cap great transition on the Angling Club wing the Saints were back within 13 points nearing half-time.
White Hills did plenty of atacking across the opening 10 minutes of the third term, but Heathcote’s defence could not be beaten.
When Zak Saad goaled after a strong tackle and free kick the Saints were within five points at the 11-minute mark.
The Demons won a centre clearance and kicked long to the goalsquare where Antonowicz was caught high and duly goaled from the free kick.
A set-shot goal by Cohen Kekich in the scoreboard pocket put the red and black up by 17 points in the 15th minute.
A Saints’ turnover at half-back was seized on by the Demons who goaled through Mitch Walsh.
Grindlay’s third goal was answered by Bartels as White Hills led 60-38 going into the final quarter.
When Bartels marked and kicked his fourth the Dees were in complete control.
The Saints stuck at it and was rewarded by a running goal by Saad from near the 50m arc.
White Hills replied through Antonowicz.
Goals by Billy Price in the 21st minute and by Saad five minutes later cut the final margin to three goals.
The Jack Fallon and Kaiden Antonowicz-coached White Hills have been a model of consistency to achieve a win-loss of 14-2 in the home-and-away campaign.
Best in the Demons latest victory were Jake Pallpratt, Patrick Crawford, Jack Fallon, Ryan Walker, Rhys Irwin and Liam Bartels.
Bill Direen, midfielder Joseph Beedle, Corey Grindlay, Zak Saad, Connor Hamilton and Rhys Bolton were best for the Andrew Saladino-coached Saints.
North Bendigo made a brilliant start to the showdown with Lockington Bamawm United at Bendigo Club Oval in North Bendigo’s Atkins Street.
As the premiership-winning senior and reserves teams from ’74 in Golden City days watched on, North Bendigo slammed on nine goals to nil in the first term.
The Cats fought back to win the second, 25-21, but the Dogs led 79-27 at the long break.
Six goals to four in favour of the Cats put LBU within seven goals going into the final term.
Inspired the athleticism and skill of key forward Dylan Klemm who went on to kick nine goals, North Bendigo led 146-93 at the final siren.
Among the highs for the Rob Bennett-coached North Bendigo was a goal by Will Bennett in his firs senior game, and the senior debut of Tate Lowther.
Other multiple goalkickers for the Bulldogs were Jordan Ford, three; Sam Barnes and Nathan Newlan, two.
The Cats’ attack was led by Thomas Leech, four; Jack Reiter, three; and Jeremy Mundie, two.
North Bendigo’s best were Dylan Klemm, Aarryn Craig, Nic Waterson, Ryan Hartley, Cody Riddick and Hamish McCartney.
Tyler Phillips, Brodie Collins, Thomas Leech, Jacob Gardiner, Jeremy Mundie and Jesse Collins played well for the Stacy Fiske-coached LBU.
Mount Pleasant moved back into the five following a 58-point win at Elmore.
The Blues were under pressure early as Elmore scored four straight goals to 2.5 in the first term.
Mounts struck back to score six goals in the second and held a three-goal buffer at half-time.
The reigning premier scored five goals in the third and another five in the last to complete a 127-69 victory.
Jack Hickman and Riley McNamara kicked three goals for the Blues as Mitch Rovers, Harry Teasdale, Fletcher White and Daniel Whiting added two.
Elmore’s attack was led by the brilliance of James Harney on seven goals as coach Nathan Kay kicked two.
Best for Mounts were Jack Hickman, Harry Teasdale, Chris Down, Daniel Whiting, Riley McNamara and Fletcher White.
Rhys Holmberg, James Harney, Jack Milligan, Nathan Kay, Kynan Sharpe and Luke Price were best for the Bloods.
A Mount Pleasant team which has Cam Carter as director of coaching and Ben Bisset and Jack Hickman as playing coaches plays Leitchville Gunbower at Toolleen in next Saturday’s 18th round.
Victory will ensure the Blues feature in the finals.
Leitchville Gunbower ended the finals aspirations of Harlowe Huntly Hawks at Leitchville.
A 99-point victory meant the Bombers flew to the third rung and hold the double chance going into the finals.
The Shannon Keam-coached Bombers led 35-9 at half-time and then won the third, 26-7.
The final term was to be one of LG’s best of the season as it slammed on 10.1.
At the final siren Leitchville Gunbower led 122-23.
The classy Blake Dye led the attack on four goals as Fraser Buchanan, Billy Hawken, Lachlan Sverns, Austin Windridge kicked two each.
Goalkickers for the Hawks were Jacob Greenwood, two; and Flynn Campbell.
Best for Leitchville Gunbower were Max Hagan, Jobee Warde, Brady Hore, Lachlan Sverns, Joel Donehue and Blake Dye.
Harrison Campbell, Steve Kairn, Jacob Greenwood, Max Edwards, Mitch Avard and Jarrod Spry were best for the Hamish Morcom-coached Hawks.
Colbinabbin had the bye.
Heathcote DFNL senior footy ladder:
White Hills 178 per cent, 56 points; North Bendigo 158, 48; Leitchville Gunbower 110, 36; Heathcote 116, 32; Mount Pleasant 118, 28; Colbinabbin 91, 28; Huntly 69, 24; Lockington Bamawm United 73, 16; Elmore 45, 4.
Match of the day in next Saturday’s 18th round will be Mount Pleasant against Leitchville Gunbower at Toolleen.
Fighting to regain fifth place, Colbinabbin will be on home turf at M.J. Morgan Oval to play North Bendigo.
The Harlowe Huntly Hawks will be home at Strauch Reserve to take on Heathcote.
Lockington Bamawm United and Elmore clash at Lockington’s Nichol Trading Oval.
White Hills has the bye.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
59 Kaiden Antonowicz, White Hills.
56 Dylan Klemm, North Bendigo.
52 James Harney, Elmore.
50 Corey Grindlay, Heathcote.
41 Liam Bartels, White Hills.
39 Ben Bisset, Mount Pleasant.
32 Alex Carr, Colbinabbin.
28 Jake Dean, North Bendigo.
27 Cohen Kekich, White Hills.
27 Jack Reiter, Lockington Bamawm United.
27 Lachy Wilson, Huntly.
26 Thomas Leech, Lockington Bamawm United.
24 Clint Shields, Colbinabbin.
23 Sam Barnes, North Bendigo.
23 James Davies, White Hills.
23 Anthony McMahon, Lockington Bamawm United.
21 Mitch Bennett, Mount Pleasant.
21 Jordan Ford, North Bendigo.
20 Mitch Rovers, Mount Pleasant.
19 Fraser Buchanan, Leitchville Gunbower.
18 Mitch Dole, White Hills.
18 Jack Hickman, Mount Pleasant.
18 Cooper Webber-Mirkin, Heathcote.
17 Billy Hawken, Leitchville Gunbower.
16 Jackson Conforti, Heathcote.
16 Chris Horman, Leitchville Gunbower.
16 Nathan Kay, Elmore.
16 Zak Saad, Heathcote.
15 Liam Birch, Heathcote.
15 Jed Brain, Colbinabbin.
15 Blake Dye, Leitchville Gunbower.
14 Caleb Hislop, Leitchville Gunbower.
14 Jaxson Nihill, Mount Pleasant.
14 Charles Ryan, Colbinabbin.
14 Jordan Wilson, Colbinabbin.
13 Pat Bogers, North Bendigo.
13 Abe Sladden, Huntly.
13 Lachlan Sverns, Leitchville Gunbower.
13 Nic Waterson, North Bendigo.
12 Tom Brereton, Leitchville Gunbower.
12 Flynn Campbell, Huntly.
12 Ryan Hartley, North Bendigo.
12 Hamish Morcom, Huntly.
12 Ben Taylor, White Hills.
11 Jeremy Mundie, Lockington Bamawm United.
11 Nic Warnock, White Hills.
10 Bailey Cain, North Bendigo.
10 Callum Crisp, White Hills.
10 Jacob Greenwood, Huntly.
10 Hakeem Johnson, North Bendigo.
10 Riley McNamara, Mount Pleasant.
10 Tyler Phillips, Lockington Bamawm United.
10 Stuart Taylor, Lockington Bamawm United.