HEATHCOTE marked a long-awaited victory as it fought to beat Lockington Bamawm United in Saturday’s 13th round in Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL senior footy.
An eight-goal haul by Saints’ key forward Dylan Johnstone played a massive part in Heathcote’s first win since last year’s elimination final.
Goalkicking accuracy was another factor as the Saints scored 16.3 (99) to 14.9 (93) at Pigeon Park in Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve.
The Saints led 31-20 at quarter-time, but the Cats fought back brilliantly to be up 51-39 at the long break.
The Jayden Howe-coached LBU held an eight-point buffer going into the final quarter.
It was a reversal of fortunes from their previous meeting as Heathcote outran LBU in the final quarter this time.
As Heathcote scored five goals it held the Cats to a tally of 2.4.
At the final siren the Andrew Saladino and Liam Jacques-coached Saints led 99-93.
Dylan Johnstone’s marking and goalkicking was outstanding as he booted eight goals and the skilful Jackson Conforti added four majors.
LBU’s attack was led by Matt Butler on six as Jeremy Mundie chipped in with two.
Best for Heathcote were Dylan Johnstone, Rhys Bolton, Will Tobin, Jackson Conforti, Codie Price and Jordan Marcroft.
LBU’s best were Charlie Hinks, Thomas Leech, Matt Butler, Bowden Stone, Jack O’Callaghan and Vincent Ryan.
Colbinabbin won a hard-fought clash with Leitchville Gunbower at Colbinabbin’s M.J. Morgan Oval.
The Grasshoppers led 41-31 at half-time, but the LG team took it right up to the green and gold.
As the Bombers scored four goals in the third quarter they kept Colbinabbin to a tally of 2.3.
The Linton Jacobs-coached Colbinabbin led 56-55 going into the final term.
Led by Daniel Hill, Nathan Basile and Brandyn Grenfell, Colbinabbin fought for a 69-56 victory.
Grenfell kicked a match-high four goals as Alex Carr booted three.
Leitchville Gunbower’s leading goalkicker was Jye Smith on two.
The Grasshoppers’ best included Angus Martin, Matt Riordan and Toby Howlett.
Jye Keath, Austin Windridge, Xavier Colvin, Max Hagan, Bryce Barnstable and Jobee Warde were best for the Jye Keath-coached Bombers.
One of North Bendigo’s favourite sons, Jordan Ford capped game 200 with a win on Huntly’s turf in Strauch Reserve.
A triple premiership player and one of the club’s most versatile players, Ford played at full-back against the dangerous Sam Dunstan.
The Harlowe Huntly Hawks put the heat on the unbeaten Bulldogs across the first half to be up 40-31 at the main break.
North Bendigo raised its defensive intensity and run in the third quarter to score 4.3 as the Hamish Morcom-coached Hawks added two goals.
Inspired by the play of Liam Dillon, Jake Dean and Harrison Jarvie, North Bendigo surged clear in the final term.
The team in red, white and blue booted six goals as the Hawks were kept to a single major.
Jake Dean led the Bulldogs’ attack on four goals as Dylan Klemm and Darcy Richards kicked three each in a 97-59 victory.
A fourth goal by Sam Dunstan was his 50th of the season as Joseph Artavilla kicked two goals for the Hawks.
Best for the Rob Bennett and Ryan Hartley-coached North Bendigo included captain Aarryn Craig, Jordan Hargreaves and Ryan Gillingham.
The Keith Robertson Medal for North Bendigo’s best was awarded to Liam Dillon.
Huntly’s best were Jacob Greenwood, Sam Dunstan, Kyle Forster, Harrison Campbell, Drew Costigan and Darby Walsh.
The Keith Price Medal for Huntly’s best was presented to Jacob Greenwood.
Mount Pleasant was in hot form against Elmore at Toolleen.
The Blues led 38-14 at quarter-time and then scored seven goals in the second to lead 84-28 by half-time.
Elmore hit back to score four goals in the third, but Mounts added five majors.
Brilliant forward Ben Weightman capped off many attacks with seven goals as the strong-marking Brodie Leonard Shannon finished with four in a 149-62 win for the Blues.
Other multiple goalkickers for Mounts were Tyler McNamara, Mitch Rovers and Caelan Smith on two.
Elmore’s leading goalkickers were Lachie Gawel on Phil Smith on two.
Best for the Blues were Fletcher White, Reardon McIvor, Riley McNamra, Joey Bell, William Wallace and Brodie Leonard-Shannon.
The Blues are coached by Cam Carter, Josh Hann and Adam Baird.
Best for Elmore were Lachie Munro, Rhys Holmberg, Nathan Kay, James Harney, Jake Dick-O’Flaherty and Aston Thompson.
It was a bye for the Winslow Constructors White Hills Demons.
Heathcote DFNL senior footy ladder:
North Bendigo 271 per cent, 44 points; Colbinabbin 183, 36; Mount Pleasant 156, 36; Huntly 104, 30; Leitchville Gunbower 100, 22; Elmore 63, 16; Lockington Bamawm United 74, 14; Heathcote 65, 6; White Hills 46, 4.
Match of the day in next Saturday’s 14th round will be North Bendigo against Mount Pleasant at Bendigo Club Oval in North Bendigo’s Atkins Street from 2.30pm.
Elmore will be on home turf against Colbinabbin.
It’s the clash of the neighbours as White Hills plays Huntly in the Demons’ den in Scott Street.
Leitchville Gunbower tackles Heathcote at Gunbower.
Lockington Bamawm United has the bye.
Leading goalkickers:
50 Sam Dunstan, Huntly.
38 Brandyn Grenfell, Colbinabbin.
35 Jake Dean, North Bendigo.
35 Dylan Klemm, North Bendigo.
31 Cody Riddick, North Bendigo.
30 Mitch Bennett, Mount Pleasant.
30 Dylan Johnstone, Heathcote.
26 Nick Knight, Colbinabbin.
25 Alex Carr, Colbinabbin.
25 James Harney, Elmore.
23 Brodie-Leonard-Shannon, Mount Pleasant.
22 Darcy Richards, North Bendigo.
18 Billy Hawken, Leitchville Gunbower.
17 Ben Weightman, Mount Pleasant.
16 Blake Dye, Leitchville Gunbower.
16 Thomas Leech, Lockington Bamawm United.
15 Matt Butler, Lockington Bamawm United.
15 Ryan Hartley, North Bendigo.
15 Chris Horman, Leitchville Gunbower.
15 Zak Saad, Heathcote.
14 Liam Dillon, North Bendigo.
14 Jack Reiter, Lockington Bamawm United.
14 Abe Sladden, Huntly.
14 Lachy Wilson, Huntly.
13 Nathan Kay, Elmore.
13 Matt O’Dwyer, Elmore.
12 Jack Hickman, Mount Pleasant.
12 Jack Teasdale, Mount Pleasant.
11 Adam Baird, Mount Pleasant.
11 Jackson Jones, Heathcote.
11 Cohen Kekich, White Hills.
11 Ibrahim Taha, Heathcote.
10 Tom Brereton, Leitchville Gunbower.
10 Liam Bianco, Elmore.
10 Bart Phillips, Lockington Bamawm United.
10 Mitch Rovers, Mount Pleasant.
10 Jake Thompson, White Hills.
10 Nic Waterson, North Bendigo.