-By Nathan Dole
THREE unanswered goals in the final quarter clinched a dramatic win for Lockington Bamawm United against Heathcote in Saturday’s fourth round of senior footy in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season.
When Heathcote’s brilliant Zak Saad pounced on a loose ball and snapped his second goal the Saints led 76-68 at Lockington’s Nichol Trading Oval.
Set-shot goals by Thomas Leech and Jack Reiter put the LBU Cats back in front.
A chance for the Saints to regain the lead hit the post.
The Jayden Howe-coached Cats then worked the footy to Leech where another snap sealed an 87-78 victory.
A four-goal haul by Leech earnt best on ground honours as ruckman Tyler Phillips, Matt Hore, Stuart Taylor, Jack O’Callaghan and Brodie Collins all played key roles in LBU’s win.
Other multiple goalkickers for the Cats were Jack Reiter and Nick Sheldon with two.
The Saints’ attack was led by Daniel Johnstone on three as co-coach Liam Jacques, young Thomas Johnson and Zak Saad kicked two each.
Best for the Saints who have Andrew Saladino as non-playing co-coach were Will Tobin, Liam Jacques, Zak Saad, Codie Price, Lachlan Freeman Taber and Dylan Johnstone.
Colbinabbin charged to a 50-point win against Leitchville Gunbower at Leitchville.
Grasshoppers’ coach Linton Jacobs was rapt with the defensive efforts to hold the Bombers to a score of 3.2 (20).
Quarters two and three were when Colbinabbin controlled play.
The green and gold led 63-19 at the last change after it scored four goals in the second and added three in the third.
Alex Carr kicked a match-high five goals and former coach Nick Knight added three in a 70-20 victory.
Goalkickers for the Bombers were Blake Dye, Charles Hancock and Chris Horman.
Colbinabbin’s best were Daniel Hill, Nathan Basile, Jack Lear, Matt Riordan, Alex Carr and Connor Aldous.
Jye Keath, Jett Keam, Will Brereton, Max Hagan, Brad Green and Brady Hore were best for the Shannon Keam-coached Leitchville Gunbower.
North Bendigo’s hot start to the season rolled on as the Bulldogs beat Harlowe Huntly Hawks by 95 points at Bendigo Club Oval in North Bendigo’s Atkins Street.
The Bulldogs were wary of an opponent which beat them twice last season.
Both line-ups have changed markedly since then.
On Saturday it was North Bendigo which led 28-8 at quarter-time and then scored 6.2 as it kept the Hawks to a tally of 2.1 in the second.
The Bulldogs dominated most of the second half.
Ruckman Jordan Hargreaves set up a lot of attacks with his tapwork as Bailey Cain, Liam Dillon, Nic Waterson, co-coach Ryan Hartley and Matt Gray won plenty of contests and possessions.
The Bulldogs scored 10 goals in the second half as Huntly added three majors.
By the final siren the red, white and blue led 136-41.
Jake Dean kicked a match-high five goals as Dylan Klemm added four.
Ryan Hartley, Billy Robertson, Cody Riddick and Nic Waterson chipped in with two goals for a team which has dual premiership coach Rob Bennett as non-playing coach.
Huntly’s attack was led by Sam Dunstan on three.
Best for the Hamish Morcom-coached Hawks were Harry Campbell, Nathan Dunstan, Dale Lowry, Joseph Artavilla, Lachie Ross and Josh Hull.
Mount Pleasant’s winning run kept rolling as the Blues marked a 10-goal triumph on Elmore’s turf.
Mounts led 29-14 at quarter-time and 56-27 by the main break.
Defences were well on top in as third term which went the way of the Blues, 9-8.
Mount Pleasant then slammed on nine goals in the last as Elmore booted four.
At the final siren the Blues led 120-60.
Jack Teasdale led the Mounts’ attack on four goals as Brodie Leonard-Shannon and Brodie Montague added three.
The Blues also had Mitch Bennett and Caelan Smith chip in with two goals.
Elmore coach Nathan Kay led the way on four goals as Liam Bianco and Luke Price kicked two.
Best for Mount Pleasant were Bryce Hinneberg, Brodie Montague, Chris Down, Jack Hickman, Riley McNamara and Jack Teasdale.
The Blues have dual premiership Cam Carter as director of coaching and Josh Hann as playing coach.
Elmore’s best were Cobi Fitzpatrick, Joseph Harney, Nathan Kay, Jack Trewick, Lachie Munro and Jack Smith.
White Hills had the bye.
Match of the day in next Saturday’s fifth round will be at Toolleen where Mount Pleasant tackles North Bendigo from 2.30pm.
Colbinabbin and Elmore will clash on the Grasshoppers’ turf at Colbinabbin’s M.J. Morgan Oval.
The Harlowe Huntly Hawks take on White Hills at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve.
Heathcote and Leitchville Gunbower meet in the match of the Saints and Bombers at Pigeon Park in Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve.
Lockington Bamawm United has the bye.
Heathcote DFNL senior footy ladder:
Mount Pleasant 268 per cent, 16 points; North Bendigo 279, 12; Colbinabbin 180, 12; Lockington Bamawm United 82, 8; Huntly 76, 8; Elmore 96, 4; Leitchville Gunbower 64, 4; Heathcote 55, 0; White Hills 35, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
18 Mitch Bennett, Mount Pleasant.
18 Sam Dunstan, Huntly.
14 Brodie Leonard-Shannon, Mount Pleasant.
12 James Harney, Elmore.
11 Dylan Klemm, North Bendigo.
11 Cody Riddick, North Bendigo.
10 Jake Dean, North Bendigo.
8 Alex Carr, Colbinabbin.
8 Billy Hawken, Leitchville Gunbower.
8 Nick Knight, Colbinabbin.
8 Zak Saad, Heathcote.
7 Thomas Leech, Lockington Bamawm United.
6 Nathan Kay, Elmore.
6 Cohen Kekich, White Hills.
6 Matt O’Dwyer, Elmore.
6 Stuart Taylor, Lockington Bamawm United.
6 Jack Teasdale, Mount Pleasant.
5 Jack Hickman, Mount Pleasant.
5 Jack Reiter, Lockington Bamawm United.
5 Darcy Richards, North Bendigo.
5 Nick Sheldon, Lockington Bamawm United.
5 Caelan Smith, Mount Pleasant.
5 Jordan Thomson, Elmore.
4 Liam Bianco, Elmore.
4 Tyson Findlay, North Bendigo.
4 Brandyn Grenfell, Colbinabbin.
4 Josh Hann, Mount Pleasant.
4 Ryan Hartley, North Bendigo.
4 Liam Jacques, Heathcote.
4 Abe Sladden, Huntly.
4 Jesse Tuohey, Mount Pleasant.
4 Lachy Wilson, Huntly.