-By Nathan Dole
THE clash between the Cats from Lockington Bamawm United and Blues from Mount Pleasant highlights Saturday’s second round in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL senior footy season.
Both teams were victorious in round one.
LBU has home-ground advantage for the match which starts at 2.30pm at Lockington Recreation Reserve.
Jayden Howe marked his senior coaching debut with LBU by scoring an eight-point win against Huntly under the Lockington lights.
Mount Pleasant dominated its clash against Heathcote at Colbinabbin’s M.J. Morgan Oval.
There were many stand-outs for a Blues line-up coached by Cam Carter, non-playing, and Josh Hanning, playing, as Mounts marked a 169-55 win against the Saints.
A key to LBU’s chances will be its defensive play, especially in the key positions.
In round one Brodie Leonard-Shannon, six goals, and Mitch Bennett, four, controlled many of the marking contests against Heathcote.
LBU has the experience of ruckman and dual Sam Cheatley medallist Tyler Phillips, along with captain Brodie Collins, Jeremy Mundie and Stuart Taylor.
Best for the Cats against Huntly were Phillips, Jack O’Callaghan, Luke Saligari and Matt Hore.
Mount Pleasant’s play at centre clearances and stoppages was outstanding.
The Blues have gun ruckman Chris Down teaming up with Josh Hann, Jack Hickman and Fletcher White.
Mounts can also add the experience and running power of Brodie Montague to the on-ball or midfield mix.
Best for the Blues in round one were Hickman, Down, Leonard-Shannon, Tyler McNamara, Reardon McIvor, and key defender William Wallace.
Another big clash will be at Pigeon Park in Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve where Heathcote takes on Colbinabbin.
When these clubs last met it was Heathcote which beat the Grasshoppers in an elimination final.
The Andrew Saladino and Liam Jacques-coached Heathcote will be snarling after such a disappointing display in the season opener.
It’s a first look at Colbinabbin as Linton Jacobs returns to the club after a hat-trick of premierships as Marong’s senior coach in the Loddon Valley.
Heathcote has Daniel and Dylan Johnstone as key marking targets in attack, but quality and quantity of supply was lacking in the first round.
Key players for the Saints include Codie Price off half-back, Joseph Beedle on a wing, Lachlan Freeman-Taber and Oscar Keogh in defence, Aaron Gundry in the ruck, and on-baller Callum Birch.
Colbinabbin made a huge recruiting coup in being able to lure gun goalkicker Brandyn Grenfell from Nyah Nyah West United.
A century goalkicker in Marong’s premiership wins in ’22 and ’23, Grenfell starred as the NNWU Demons claimed the Central Murray flag last September.
Colbinabbin also welcomes back versatile big man Matt Riordan in the green and gold.
Other newcomers in Colbinabbin’s squad include Isaac Carracher from Sandhurst, Jack Lear, Dougal McKindlay, Dom Monteleone, Sam Ryan, Dean Smith and Elijah Wallace.
After a strong showing at North Bendigo in round one, Elmore is back on home turf against reigning premier, White Hills.
There was plenty to like about the play of the Nathan Kay-coached Elmore in a 86-78 result against the Bulldogs.
James Harney again showed he is one of the league’s most valuable forwards by kicking five goals against the red, white and blue.
Best for the Bloods in game one were Phil Smith, Jake Dick-O’Flaherty, captain Rhys Holmberg, Nathan Kay, Liam Bianco and Jarrad Kyne.
Elmore’s squad includes Jack Barras from Newbridge, Cobi Fitzpatrick, Mattia Curry and Jack Trewick.
The new-look Winslow White Hills Demons could not halt Leitchville-Gunbower’s run to an eight-goal victory in the grand final rematch at the Scott Street ground in White Hills.
This season it’s Ben Taylor, playing, and Brad McConnell, non-playing, who have teamed up to coach the Demons.
Best for the red and black in the first round were Jake Thompson, Ben Irvine, Jack Lawton and Nick Santas.
Cohen Kekich marked his first match as captain by kicking four goals.
The Demons’ squad includes Mitch Dole, Patrick Eeefting, Jack Lawton and Nick Wharton.
Leitchville Gunbower will be on home turf in Leitchville to take on the Harlowe Huntly Hawks.
The Shannon Keam-coached Leitchville Gunbower overcame a slow start at Huntly to score a 96-58 victory.
Billy Hawken booted a match-high five goals for the Bombers.
Players to watch in the LG team include Will Brereton, Max Hagan, captain Josh Hawken, Chris Horman, ruckman Jobee Warde, and Austin Windridge.
It’s a big test for Huntly on the rebound from an eight-point loss at Lockington.
The Hamish Morcom-coached Hawks had gun forward Sam Dunstan kick four goals in his first match in the brown and gold as the skilful Abe Sladden slotted three majors.
Key players in Huntly’s squad include Mitch Billings, Flynn Campbell, Jacob Greenwood, captain Steve Kairn, Dale Lowry and Lachy Wilson.
The Hawks will be without Jaydon Cowling as he starts a two-match ban for striking.
North Bendigo has the bye.
Heathcote DFNL senior footy ladder:
Mount Pleasant 307 per cent, 4 points; Leitchville Gunbower 165, 4; Lockington Bamawm United 110.6, 4; North Bendigo 110.2, 4; Elmore 90.7, 0; Huntly 90.3, 0; White Hills 60, 0; Heathcote 32, 0; Colbinabbin 0, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
6 Brodie Leonard-Shannon, Mount Pleasant.
5 James Harney, Elmore.
5 Billy Hawken, Leitchville Gunbower.
4 Mitch Bennett, Mount Pleasant.
4 Sam Dunstan, Huntly.
4 Cohen Kekich, White Hills.
3 Abe Sladden, Huntly.
3 Caelan Smith, Mount Pleasant.
2 Liam Bianco, Elmore.
2 Seb Greene, Mount Pleasant.
2 Ryan Hartley, North Bendigo.
2 Jack Hickman, Mount Pleasant.
2 Dylan Johnstone, Heathcote.
2 Jackson Jones, Heathcote.
2 Dylan Klemm, North Bendigo.
2 Thomas Leech, Lockington Bamawm United.
2 Jack Reiter, Lockington Bamawm United.
2 Cody Riddick, North Bendigo.
2 Zak Saad, Heathcote.
2 Jesse Tuohey, Mount Pleasant.