BY NATHAN DOLE
Vital matches for several netball line-ups
THERE are some vital A-grade netball matches to be played across the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL’s ninth round this Saturday.
A lot of interest centres on the fifth rung which is occupied by Heathcote.
The Brooke Bolton and Kelsey Hayes-coached Heathcote Saints will be striving to reach the halfway mark of the season on a win-loss tally of four-four.
Heathcote put in a great effort to be level with the unbeaten Winslow White Hills Demons at White Hills last Saturday.
The Saints are back on their court at Pigeon Park in Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve this Saturday to play the Harlowe Huntly Hawks.
Although the Kym Bell-coached Hawks are yet to net a victory in ’24, Heathcote cannot afford to take this match lightly.
Win and Heathcote could gain an eight-point break in the race to decide fifth place.
Teams locked on eight points and vying to climb into the top five are North Bendigo, Mount Pleasant and Lockington Bamawm United.
All three face challenging matches this round.
North Bendigo will be on its court at Bendigo Club Oval in Atkins Street to play Colbinabbin.
The Kiralee Kinder and Stacey Kingdon-coached North Bendigo has won two of its past three matches.
The red, white and blue won at Huntly by 16 goals, but a week later went down to Mount Pleasant by 13 goals at North Bendigo.
Last round the Bulldogs fought to record an eight-goal victory on Lockington Bamawm United’s court.
Massive test for North Bendigo against the Jen McIntyre-coached Colbinabbin.
Refreshed by the bye, Colbinabbin is fighting to claim a top-three berth and the double chance at finals time.
Another big match will be at Gunbower where Leitchville-Gunbower takes on Mount Pleasant.
The Caitlyn Hamilton-coached Leitchville Gunbower made a superb start to the season.
Unbeaten across the opening three rounds, LG’s success included an eight-goal triumph at Colbinabbin’s M.J. Morgan Oval in round two.
A loss at home to Elmore in the fourth round was followed by a four-goal victory at Heathcote.
The Bombers worked hard to be within eight goals of White Hills at Gunbower.
Latest hit-out for the LG team was at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve where it recorded a 31-goal victory.
Although it did not take the points, Mount Pleasant will have gained plenty of confidence from a 38-48 result against Elmore at Toolleen last Saturday.
The Anthea McCleary-coached Blues have plenty of skill through mid-court and attack.
A key will be the level of defensive pressure Mount Pleasant can apply all match.
It’s the Cats against the Bloods as Lockington Bamawm United hosts Elmore.
Huge task for the Ash Cullen-coached LBU in beating a powerful opponent.
The Allira Holmes and Gabe Richards-coached Elmore is likely to reach the halfway mark in second place in a premiership race led by White Hills.
It’s a bye for the Lauren Bowles-coached White Hills.
Standings in the Heathcote DFNL A-grade netball competition:
White Hills 165 per cent, 32 points; Elmore 116, 24; Leitchville Gunbower 132, 20; Colbinabbin 136, 16; Heathcote 92, 12; North Bendigo 82, 8; Mount Pleasant 76, 8; Lockington Bamawm United 71, 8; Huntly 54, 0.