THERE’S more than premiership points to be won as Mount Pleasant takes on Heathcote in Saturday’s ninth round in Agnico Eagle Fosterville Gold Mine Heathcote DFNL senior footy.
The Blues and Saints will be playing for the Cliff and Peter White Memorial Shield.
Mount Pleasant holds the shield which was first played for in 1997 in honour of two great clubmen who drowned off the south coast of Victoria, along with Mark Bell.
On-field the Blues will be fighting to keep their unbeaten record intact when the clash at Toolleen kicks off at 2.20pm.
Mounts had the bye last round following a 47-point win at White Hills in round seven.
The Blues will be wary of a Heathcote line-up which has climbed to the third rung on a four-three record.
On-ball contests will be vital for the prospects of both teams.
The Mount Pleasant squad coached by Josh Hann, playing, and Cam Carter, non-playing, includes Jett Nicholas in the ruck, Xavier Carter, Jack Hickman, co-captain Caelan Smith, Brodie Montague, and Alex and Joel Wharton.
In attack the brilliant Ben Weightman has kicked 26 goals in six matches.
The Blues’ attack includes Brodie Leonard-Shannon, Mitch Bennnett and Oliver Bish.
Massive challenge for a Heathcote team coached by Andrew Saladino, non-playing, and Liam Jacques, playing.
Given enough supply Saints’ forwards Dylan Johnstone, Hugh Freckleton and Sean Williams pose a huge threat to a Blues’ defence that includes Michael Whiting, co-captain William Wallace and Deklan Wille.
Heathcote’s on-ball group includes ruckman Seb Barnett who has played seven matches for La Trobe Bendigo Pioneers this season.
Barnett will team up with Stefan Rasinac, Rhys Bolton and Jake Waters.
Other key players for the Saints include Jacques and captain Codie Price off half-back, Daniel Johnstone and Lachlan Freeman-Taber in defence, Justin Bateson and Joey Beedle.
Another big match will be on North Bendigo’s turf at Bendigo Club Oval in Atkins Street.
The Bulldogs are on the rebound from a seven-point loss at Gunbower as they take on the Harlowe Huntly Hawks.
A North Bendigo team coached by Rob Bennett, non-playing, and Ryan Hartley, playing, will be fighting to regain its place in the top five.
Key players for the Bulldogs include Dylan Klemm and Cody Riddick in attack, captain Aarryn Craig, Will Gilmore, Liam Dillon, ruckman Jordan Hargreaves, and Darcy Richards.
There’s plenty of run provided by Bailey Cain, Will Bennett and Riley Paetow.
Huntly broke its season duck in a 79-point win on its Strauch Reserve turf against Elmore last round.
Key players for the Hawks include ruckman Nathan Dunstan, Stefan Pye, Lachy Wilson, full-forward Sam Dunstan, Mitch Billings and Joseph Artavilla.
Huntly has an experienced core led by captain Steve Kairn, Jaydon Cowling, Dale Lowry, Ben Daley and Jacob Greenwood.
It’s the Demons against the Bombers as White Hills hosts Leitchville Gunbower at the Scott Street ground.
After a two-nil start, White Hills will be desperate to break a five-match losing streak.
Will not be an easy task as Leitchville Gunbower outran North Bendigo in the final quarter of last Saturday’s clash in Gunbower.
Key players for a White Hills team coached by Brad McConnell and Lachie Sawyer include Patrick Crawford at centre half-back, ruckman Jack Lawton, Cohen Kekich, Doolan Nihill, Mitch Dole, Nick Wallace and captain Jake Thompson.
The Joel Donehue-coached Bombers had Blake Dye, Luke Davis, Billy Hawken and Bryce Barnstable lead the charge to victory against the Bulldogs.
Players to watch in the LG team include Ryan Allan, Luke Davis, Charles Hancock, Jye Keath and Matt McLellan.
Elmore’s back on home turf to face Lockington Bamawm United.
Both teams are on the rebound from defeat.
The Luke Freeman-coached Elmore was outpointed by Huntly in the Hawks’ nest as the Cats took on Colbinabbin in Lockington.
Elmore’s best at Huntly were Rhys Holmberg, Hayden Trewick, Xavier Coghill and Charlie O’Toole.
The Bloods’ squad includes Matt Filo, Lachie Gawel, James and Joseph Harney, Peter Rothacker and Ashton Sinn.
A win-loss record of four-three has the Jayden Howe-coached LBU on the fifth rung.
Key players for the Cats include Marcus Angove, Brodie and Jesse Collins, Brayden Hull, Thomas Leech, Jack O’Callaghan, and co-captains Charlie Hinks and Tyler Phillips.
Colbinabbin has the bye.
Heathcote DFNL senior footy ladder:
Mount Pleasant 147 per cent, 26 points; Colbinabbin 136, 24; Heathcote 108, 16; Leitchville Gunbower 94, 16; Lockington Bamawm United 91, 16; North Bendigo 135, 14; White Hills 63, 8; Huntly 90, 4; Elmore 62, 4.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
27 Dylan Johnstone, H’cote.
26 Ben Weightman, MP.
23 Brandyn Grenfell, C.
21 Sam Dunstan, Huntly; Dylan Klemm, NB.
20 Sean Williams, H’cote.
15 Tyler Phillips, LBU; Jake Thompson, WH.
14 Cody Riddick, NB.
13 Alex Carr, C; Blake Dye, LG; James Harney, E.
12 Ryan Allan, LG; Jake Dean, NB.
11 Brayden Hull, LBU.
In the netball action…….THE clash between the fourth and fifth-placed Huntly and North Bendigo highlights this Saturday’s ninth round of A-grade netball in the Agnico Eagle Fosterville Gold Mine Heathcote DFNL season.
After Huntly’s thrilling one-goal win at home against Elmore last round the Hawks will be aiming to pluck the points at Bendigo Club Oval in North Bendigo’s Atkins Street.
Huge test for both teams as they take to the court from 2.30pm.
A Harlowe Huntly Hawks team coached by Kym Bell and Ash Sherlock has won two of three matches since its bye.
Huntly rolls into this contest on a record of three wins, three defeats, and a draw.
The Hawks are two points clear of North Bendigo.
A Bulldogs’ line-up coached by Kiralee Kinder scored a 17-goal win against Leitchville Gunbower at Gunbower last Saturday.
Defeat to the Hawks will put North Bendigo’s spot in the top five in jeopardy as sixth-placed Elmore will start favourite at home against Lockington Bamawm United.
After a nil-four start to the season Elmore had struck back to win at Heathcote’s Pigeon Park by two goals and then beat Leitchville Gunbower on the Bloods’ court by 27 goals the next round.
The attempt at a hat-trick of wins by the Adam Boldiston-coached Elmore was thwarted by Huntly at Strauch Reserve.
Lockington Bamawm United faced the might of reigning champion, Colbinabbin last Saturday.
The Stacy Bacon-coached LBU worked hard to pour in 46 goals, but the margin at the final siren was 41.
Mount Pleasant is back on its court in Toolleen to play Heathcote.
The Anthea McCleary-coached Blues had the bye last round which followed an eight-goal win at White Hills in round seven.
Massive challenge for the Brooke Price-coached Heathcote which played White Hills last Saturday.
Although the Saints were on their court at Pigeon Park in Barrack Reserve it was the Demons who powered their way to a 56-31 victory.
Third in the premiership race, White Hills returns to its Scott Street home to play Leitchville Gunbower.
The Elley Lawton-coached Demons will start favourite to mark their sixth win of the season.
The LG Bombers are on the rebound from their loss to North Bendigo in Gunbower.
Strong defence will be a key part of plans for the Katie Pollock-coached Bombers in their clash with the Demons.
Colbinabbin has the bye.
Standings in the Heathcote DFNL A-grade netball competition:
Colbinabbin 222 per cent, 32 points; Mount Pleasant 182, 24; White Hills 123, 20; North Bendigo 85, 12; Huntly 76, 10; Heathcote 70, 8; Elmore 68, 8; Leitchville Gunbower 62, 6; Lockington Bamawm United 72, 4.
Heathcote DFNL netball ladders after eight rounds:
A-reserve:
Colbinabbin 150 per cent, 32 points; Mount Pleasant 181, 22; North Bendigo 135, 20; White Hills 135, 18; Huntly 120, 16; Leitchville Gunbower 71, 12; Heathcote 57, 8; Elmore 59, 0; Lockington Bamawm United 57, 0.
B-grade:
White Hills 164 per cent, 28 points; Mount Pleasant 145, 24; Leitchville Gunbower 118, 24; Huntly 115, 16; Heathcote 101, 16; Colbinabbin 92, 8; Elmore 67, 8; North Bendigo 77, 2; Lockington Bamawm United 52, 2.
B-reserve:
Huntly 180 per cent, 28 points; Lockington Bamawm United 166, 24; White Hills 131, 20; Heathcote 112, 16; Mount Pleasant 102, 16; North Bendigo 121, 12; Elmore 95, 8; Colbinabbin 40, 4; Leitchville Gunbower 38, 0.
17-and-under:
Mount Pleasant 154, per cent, 28 points; White Hills 161, 24; Lockington Bamawm United 153, 20; Leitchville Gunbower 110, 20; Elmore 87, 14; Huntly 95, 8; Heathcote 77, 8; Colbinabbin 59, 6; North Bendigo 51, 0.
15-and-under:
Lockington Bamawm United 193 per cent, 28 points; White Hills 181, 24; Heathcote 110, 16; Mount Pleasant 107, 16; Elmore 96, 14; Colbinabbin 91, 12; Leitchville Gunbower 81, 12; Huntly 64, 6; North Bendigo 41, 0.
13-and-under:
Leitchville Gunbower 302 per cent, 28 points; Lockington Bamawm United 210, 24; Mount Pleasant 143, 20; Colbinabbin 119, 16; Elmore 95, 16; Huntly 68, 12; North Bendigo 76, 8; White Hills 61, 4; Heathcote 14, 0.