BY NATHAN DOLE
IT’S shaping up to be an exciting race to decide this year’s senior footy champions in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DNL season.
As clubs approach the halfway mark it’s North Bendigo leading the chase, but has Mount Pleasant, Heathcote and White Hills in hot pursuit.
A new challenger for a top-five finish in Leitchville Gunbower has emerged in recent weeks.
Back-to-back wins by the Shannon Keam-coached Bombers against Huntly and Colbinabbin have lifted the team to the sixth rung, level on 12 premiership points with Lockington Bamawm United.
Although its seventh on a 2-5 record, Colbinabbin has shown its no pushover as the Jed Brain-coached Grasshoppers finished with seven points of Lockington Bamawm United, and went down 82-85 against North Bendigo.
A highlight when the season resumes on June 17 after the King’s Birthday holiday weekend bye will be Lockington Bamawm United up against Mount Pleasant.
It’s the rematch of last year’s grand finalists on Lockington’s turf.
The Stacy Fiske-coached LBU endured defeat in rounds five, six and seven, but hit back for a 15-goal win at Elmore last round.
A Cats’ line-up that has dual Sam Cheatley medallist Tyler Phillips in the ruck, along with Brodie and Jesse Collins, Riley McIvor and Max Johnson is one to be reckoned with.
Stung by the pain of last season’s elimination final defeat, North Bendigo has fought back superbly.
There have been plenty of changes at the kennel with recruits such as Jake Hall, Layton Ross and Billy Robertson playing key roles in the charge.
Multiple premiership winners such as Jordan Ford, Aaryn Craig and Ryan Alford are hungry for more success with a line-up that includes Dylan Klemm, Hakeem Johnson and Tim Devereaux.
Kicked off the season with hard-fought wins at home against Mount Pleasant and LBU, but on road next four matches to play Elmore, Mount Pleasant, Lockington Bamawm United, and Huntly.
Runner-up in ’22, Mount Pleasant has shown it’s a serious challenger to get its hands on the premiership cup.
The Blues now have gun on-baller Adam Baird and brilliant forward Ben Weightman as co-coaches, and Darren Walsh as director of coaching.
Next two rounds will be vital for the Blues as they play at Lockington and then return to Toolleen to tackle North Bendigo.
A formidable attack for Mounts is led by Weightman and the classy Mitch Rovers who was recruited from Kangaroo Flat.
Ruckman Chris Down is also among the league’s best.
After missing last year’s finals on percentage, Heathcote has made a stunning rise to be third on a 5-2 record.
The Andrew Saladino-coached Saints bolstered the attack with the inclusion of Corey Grindlay from Wallan, and also regained rover Liam Jacques to team up with the talented Braden Padmore.
In the air or at ground level, Grindlay has outpointed all defences on his way to a season tally of 41 goals.
It’s been the Saints workrate and pressure, plus greater depth of talent that have been key factors in their run.
In the run home, Heathcote is on home turf at Barrack Reserve to take on White Hills, Mount Pleasant and North Bendigo.
A 5-2 record has White Hills in fourth place and determined to build on last year’s run to a first semi-final.
This season the Demons have won a thriller at home under lights against Heathcote, but were outgunned in the Scott Street den.
A tough second half includes away matches at Heathcote, Toolleen and North Bendigo.
After a 0-4 start, Leitchville Gunbower has hit back brilliantly.
The Bombers have an extended rest before they travel to White Hills on June 24.
Key players in the resurgence include Jye Keath, Caleb Hislop, Jobee Warde and Chris Horman.
Although it’s seventh, Colbinabbin’s finals hopes are not gone.
The next fortnight loom as a huge test for the Grasshoppers as they play at White Hills and then at Heathcote.
Among the highs for the green and gold have been the form of Logan and Laine Fitzgerald, and young ruckman Jasper McArdle.
They may be eighth and ninth, but Elmore and Huntly could have a say in the make-up of the five.
Both will be ready to pounce should their higher-rated opponents drop intensity.
A Bloods team now jointly coached by Dylan Friedberger and Mick Woolhouse includes captain Dylan Gordon, ruckman Daniel Russell, Rhys Holmberg, Darcy and Zac Laffy.
The Huntly Hawks will eye matches at Elmore in round 10; Colbinabbin, round 15; and home game against Leitchville Gunbower on August 5 as best chance to mark a victory.
Back with the Hawks to be joint coach with Jayden Cordy, Harry Whittle has had an outstanding season for the brown and gold.
The play of Jackson Fry, Steve Kairn, Lachy Wilson and youngsters such as Abe Sladden and Mitch Billings have been highs.
North Bendigo, 7-0, 144%, 28 points, 1st:
So far – d Mount Pleasant 69-63, d Lockington Bamawm United 115-105, bye, d Huntly 157-58, d Colbinabbin 85-82, d Leitchville Gunbower 119-68, d White Hills 115-66, d Heathcote 98-81.
Run home – v Elmore, away; v Mount Pleasant, a; v Lockington Bamawm United, a; bye; v Huntly, a; v Colbinabbin; home; v Leitchville Gunbower, a; v White Hills, h; v Heathcote, a; v Elmore, h.
Players to watch, based on votes in best list:
Jordan Ford, Jake Hall, Nic Waterson, Jeremy Lambden, Aarryn Craig.
Leading goalkickers:
26 Jordan Ford; 19 Dylan Klemm; 12 Aarryn Craig, Hakeem Johnson, Cody Riddick.
Mount Pleasant, 5-2, 185%, 20 points, 2nd:
So far – lt North Bendigo 63-69, d Huntly 217-75, d Colbinabbin 102-53, d Leitchville Gunbower 152-56, d White Hills 103-52, lt Heathcote 65-74, d Elmore 99-52, bye.
Run home – v Lockington Bamawm United, a; v North Bendigo, h; v Huntly, a; v Colbinabbin, h; v Leitchville Gunbower, a; v White Hills, h; v Heathcote, a; v Elmore, h; bye; v Lockington Bamawm United, h.
Players to watch, based on votes in best list:
Ben Weightman, William Wallace, Adam Baird, Chris Down, Riley McNamara, Mitch Rovers.
Leading goalkickers:
37 Ben Weightman; 20 Mitch Rovers; 10 Riley McNamara; 9 Mitch Bennett; 7 Adam Baird, Coby Dunlop.
Heathcote, 5-2, 140%, 20 points, 3rd:
So far – d Colbinabbin 77-44, d Leitchville Gunbower 143-40, lt White Hills 113-115, bye, d Elmore 101-64, d Mount Pleasant 74-65, d Lockington Bamawm United 88-55, lt North Bendigo 81-98.
Run home – v Huntly, h; v Colbinabbin, h; v Leitchville Gunbower, a; v White Hills, h; bye; v Elmore, a; v Mount Pleasant, h; v Lockington Bamawm United, a; v North Bendigo, h; v Huntly, a.
Players to watch, based on votes in best list:
Corey Grindlay, Liam Jacques, Braden Padmore, Connor Hamilton, William Direen.
Leading goalkickers:
41 Corey Grindlay; 8 Liam Birch, Kai Cavallaro, Liam Jacques; 7 Braden Padmore.
White Hills, 5-2, 138%, 20 points, 4th:
So far – d Leitchville Gunbower 63-26, bye, d Heathcote 115-113, d Elmore 95-17, lt Mount Pleasant 52-103, d Lockington Bamawm United 88-74, lt North Bendigo 66-115, d Huntly 178-26.
Run home – v Colbinabbin, h; v Leitchville Gunbower, h; bye; v Heathcote, a; v Elmore, h; v Mount Pleasant, a; v Lockington Bamawm United, h; v North Bendigo, a; v Huntly, h; v Colbinabbin, a.
Players to watch, based on votes in best list:
Rhys Irwin, Nic Warnock, Jake Pallpratt, Ben Taylor, Liam Bartels.
Leading goalkickers:
29 Kaiden Antonowicz; 10 Nic Warnock; 9 Cohen Kekich; 8 Liam Bartels, Mitch Dole.
Lockington Bamawm United, 3-4, 116%, 12 points, 5th:
So far – bye, lt North Bendigo 105-115, d Huntly 131-59, d Colbinabbin 65-58, lt Leitchville Gunbower 57-82, lt White Hills 74-88, lt Heathcote 55-88, d Elmore 119-29.
Run home – v Mount Pleasant, h; bye; v North Bendigo, h; v Huntly, h; v Colbinabbin, a; v Leitchville Gunbower, h; v White Hills, a; v Heathcote, h; v Elmore, a; v Mount Pleasant, a.
Players to watch, based on votes in best list:
Tyler Phillips, Brodie Collins, Jesse Collins, Max Johnson, Riley McIvor.
Leading goalkickers:
17 Anthony McMahon; 15 Thomas Leech; 11 Tyler Phillips; 10 Riley McIvor; 8 Brodie Collins; 7 Jesse Collins.
Leitchville Gunbower, 3-5, 71%, 12 points, 6th:
So far – lt White Hills 26-63, lt Heathcote 40-143, lt Elmore 64-89, lt Mount Pleasant 56-152, d Lockington Bamawm United 82-57, lt North Bendigo 68-119, d Huntly 106-38, d Colbinabbin 74-60.
Run home – bye; v White Hills, a; v Heathcote at Gunbower; v Elmore, a; v Mount Pleasant, h; v Lockington Bamawm United, a; v North Bendigo, h; v Huntly, a; v Colbinabbin, h; bye.
Players to watch, based on votes in best list:
Jye Keath, Jobee Warde, Caleb Hislop, Clay McGregor, Lachlan Sverns.
Leading goalkickers:
22 Chris Horman; 7 Billy Hawken, Lachlan Sverns; 6 Tyler Jones.
Colbinabbin, 2-5, 83%, 8 points, 7th:
So far – lt Heathcote 44-77, d Elmore 59-52, lt Mount Pleasant 53-102, lt Lockington Bamawm United 58-65, lt North Bendigo 82-85, d Huntly 61-44, bye, lt Leitchville Gunbower 60-74.
Run home – v White Hills, a; v Heathcote, a; v Elmore, h; v Mount Pleasant, a; v Lockington Bamawm United, h; v North Bendigo, a; v Huntly, h; bye; v Leitchville Gunbower, a; v White Hills h.
Players to watch, based on votes in best list:
Logan Fitzgerald, Ben Barton, Laine Fitzgerald, Riley Hogan, Jasper McArdle.
Leading goalkickers:
11 Laine Fitzgerald; 9 Jai Carn; 7 Jed Brain.
Elmore, 2-5, 66%, 8 points, 8th:
So far – d Huntly 77-38, lt Colbinabbin 52-59, d Leitchville Gunbower 89-64, lt White Hills 17-95, lt Heathcote 64-101, bye, lt Mount Pleasant 52-99, lt Lockington Bamawm United 29-119.
Run home – v North Bendigo, h; v Huntly, h; v Colbinabbin, a; v Leitchville Gunbower, h; v White Hills, a; v Heathcote, h; bye; v Mount Pleasant, a; v Lockington Bamawm United, h; v North Bendigo, a.
Players to watch, based on votes in best list:
Dylan Gordon, Daniel Russell, Nathan Kay, Rhys Holmberg, Zac Laffy, Sam McHale.
Leading goalkickers:
12 Darcy Laffy; 7 Jordan Buckley; 6 Dylan Oaff.
Huntly, 0-7, 36%, 0 points, 9th:
So far – lt Elmore 38-77, lt Mount Pleasant 75-217, lt Lockington Bamawm United 59-131, lt North Bendigo 58-157, bye, lt Colbinabbin 44-61, lt Leitchville Gunbower 38-106, lt White Hills 26-178.
Run home – v Heathcote, a; v Elmore, a; v Mount Pleasant, h; v Lockington Bamawm United, a; v North Bendigo, h; bye; v Colbinabbin, a; v Leitchville Gunbower, h; v White Hills, a; v Heathcote, h.
Players to watch, based on votes in best list:
Harry Whittle, Jackson Fry, Steve Kairn, Harrison Campbell, Tori Ferguson.
Leading goalkickers:
20 Lachy Wilson; 7 Abe Sladden; 6 Harry Whittle.