Bulldogs under pressure from Elmore Bloods
NORTH Bendigo returns to home turf for a crucial clash with Elmore on Easter Saturday in round two of the Bendigo Bank Heathcote District Football Netball League’s senior footy season.
The Bulldogs have a 1-1 record and will start favourite against the Bloods at Hibo Hotel Oval in Atkins Street.
Although it’s been a winless start to the season, Elmore has shown positive signs in matches at Colbinabbin and then at home against Mount Pleasant.
Both of the Bloods’ opponents on the first two weekends are rated as being strong contenders for the premiership.
The task for the Bloods does not become easier against a Bulldogs’ line-up determined to hit back from a 35-point loss and being held to just four goals in last Saturday’s match on Colbinabbin’s turf at M.J. Morgan Reserve.
Elmore’s defence will be up against the marking power of Dylan Klemm and Matt Gray.
It’s at ground level where North Bendigo coach Robert Bennett will be looking for his attack to show more bite, not in just in winning contests, but applying greater pressure.
Key players for the Bulldogs include triple premiership winning stars Jordan Ford, Aarryn Craig and Ryan Alford, as well as Jeremy Lambden in the ruck, Nic Waterson in midfield, Lachlan Ford and Shane Harris.
The Dylan Friedberger and Dylan Gordon co-coached Elmore as had Sebastian De Napoli score five goals across the opening two rounds.
De Napoli is a major danger to the North Bendigo defence, along with Friedberger and Gordon.
The Bloods will also to Matt Gilmour, Matt Nettleford, Kyle Armstrong and Sam McHale to continue with their great form.
Other players to watch in the red and white include Tannar Cerrone, Che Taranto, Darcy Laffy and Zack Holmberg.
Another big match will be at Toolleen where Mount Pleasant takes on White Hills.
The Darren Walsh and Adam Baird-coached Mounts showed they have plenty of midfield and attacking options in round one.
Ben Weightman and Adam Baird led the goalscoring on four and three goals.
Gun ruckman Chris Down is a huge recruiting coup for the Blues, along with Zane Keighran from Golden Square.
The Blues’ best in the win at Elmore included ruck-rover Billy Mahony, Fletcher White and Jesse Tuohey.
A strong Mounts line-up includes Travis Baird, Dean Tydell, Zac Featherby and Zebb Murrell.
It was a tough first-up assignment for White Hills against Lockington Bamawm United.
There have been plenty of on-field changes for the Demons.
Bayden Fallon led the attack on three goals in the 63-132 loss to LBU.
Demons’ playing coach Jack Fallon will be urging the midfield and onball brigade to keep the pressure on the Blues all match.
The play of Rhys Irwin, Patrick Eefting, Gavin Bowles, Brady Childs, Mitch Dole, Kaiden Skelton and David Wright will be a key to chances of those in the red and black.
Huntly takes on Leitchville Gunbower at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve.
The Hawks are on the rebound from a 25-point loss to Heathcote at Barrack Reserve.
The play of Mitch Christensen, Tyler Miles, Jay McDonald and Connor Aldous was a highlight for the Hawks against the Saints.
Key players for Huntly include playing coach Stacy Fiske, Jaydon Cowling, Travis Mercadante, Orion Downing and Tori Ferguson.
The Tim Bannan-coached Leitchville Gunbower will be keen to perform well in its first hit-out of the ’22 campaign.
Recruits for the Bombers include Blake Azzopardi, Tom Guerra, Sam Lewis, Lachie Martini, Leyton Shenfield and Jobee Warde.
Assistant coach Ayden Walton will play a key role for the Bombers, as will reigning club champion and classy midfielder Tom Brereton.
Lockington Bamawm United takes on Heathcote at Lockington.
The Brodie Collins-coached Cats will start favourite to continue their winning streak, but will be wary of a vastly-improved Saints line-up.
Across its opening two games, Heathcote has scored 30 goals.
The Andrew Saladino-coached Saints have Kai Cavallaro, six, and Braden Padmore, five, leading the way.
Heathcote also has Liam Birch, Connor Hamilton and Jackson Jones who have shown a lot of skill in the forward 50m arc.
The Saints best in their win against Huntly included Billy Price, Connor Hamilton, Birch, Cavallaro, Jones and Padmore.
It’s at the other end of the ground where the Saints face a huge challenge.
LBU scored 20 goals at White Hills as Anthony McMahon, six; Jesse Collins, Ben Fulford and Rhys Woodland, all three each, led the attack.
A powerful Cats’ combination includes Tyler Philips in the ruck; Jesse and Luke Collins, Riley McIvor, Jarod Bacon, Joseph and Sam Wolfe.
Colbinabbin has the bye.
Heathcote DFNL senior footy ladder:
Colbinabbin 233 per cent, 8 points; Lockington Bamawm United 209, 4; Mount Pleasant 160, 4; Heathcote 108, 4; North Bendigo 85, 4; Huntly 70, 0; Elmore 49, 0; White Hills 47, 0; Leitchville Gunbower 0, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
7 Laine Fitzgerald; Colbinabbin.
6 Kai Cavallaro, Heathcote; Dylan Klemm, North Bendigo; Anthony McMahon, Lockington Bamawm United.
5 James Brain, Colbinabbin; Sebastian De Napoli, Elmore; Matt Gray, North Bendigo; Braden Padmore, Heathcote.
4 Liam Birch, Heathcote; Jed Brain, Colbinabbin; Todd Clarke, Colbinabbin; Dylan Friedberger, Elmore; Dylan Gordon, Elmore; Clint Shields, Colbinabbin; Ben Weightman, Mount Pleasant.
Written by Nathan Dole.