-By Nathan Dole
A REMATCH of ’24 grand finalists, Colbinabbin and Elmore highlights Saturday’s fifth round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season.
The Grasshoppers and Bloods will play at Colbinabbin’s M.J. Morgan Oval from 2.30pm.
Last September it was the Elmore team coached by Allira Holmes and Gabe Richards which claimed its second premiership in three seasons when it defeated the Grasshoppers.
A Colbinabbin line-up coached by Jen McIntyre is in hot form once again this season.
Latest hit-out for the green and gold ended in a 96-36 victory against Leitchville Gunbower at Leitchville.
Elmore broke Mount Pleasant’s unbeaten run in a 49-32 result at Elmore last round.
The Annie Hockey-coached Bloods know a high level of pressure will be required in every quarter against the slick-passing Grasshoppers.
The ladder-leading Harlowe Huntly Hawks face the heat from White Hills Demons at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve.
A Hawks’ line-up jointly coached by Ashlea Sherlock and Kym Bell fought on for a 42-37 victory in last Saturday’s match on North Bendigo’s court at Bendigo Club Oval in Atkins Street.
The Winslow Constructors White Hills Demons had the bye following a home-court loss to North Bendigo the previous round.
A White Hills line-up coached by Elly Lawton will be determined to avoid back-to-back defeats.
Mount Pleasant faces North Bendigo at Toolleen from 2.30pm.
Both teams are on the rebound from defeat.
The Anthea McCleary-coached Blues start this round in third place and will be confident of claiming the points at home.
North Bendigo showed what it’s capable of in the win at White Hills.
The Kiralee Kinder-coached Bulldogs played well against the high-flying Hawks from Huntly last Saturday.
Heathcote will be chasing back-to-back wins when it plays Leitchville Gunbower at Pigeon Park in Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve from 3pm.
The Saints teamed well to record a 44-32 victory at Lockington’s Nichol Trading Oval last Saturday.
Saints’ coach Chloe Meulenmeesters said a highlight was the team’s defensive efforts against the Bombers.
“There were a lot intercepts on passes and deflections.
“Being able to convert off those turnovers with goals was something were really improved on in this game.
“It was a superb effort by all the team.
“They all backed each other and stuck to the game plan.”
The coach said Heathcote’s focus for Saturday was not just about creating and capitalising in attack, but also strengthening the links between defence, mid-court and near goal.
A young Leitchville Gunbower team coached by Grant Matthews will be aiming to keep the pressure at a high rate for longer.
Lockington Bamawm United has the bye.
Standings in the Heathcote DFNL A-grade netball competition:
Huntly 134 per cent, 16 points; Colbinabbin 323, 12; Mount Pleasant 157, 12; Elmore 112.69, 8; White Hills 112.61, 8; North Bendigo 100, 4; Heathcote 49, 4; Leitchville Gunbower 53, 0; Lockington Bamawm United 49, 0.
League ladders:
A-reserve:
Mount Pleasant 243 per cent, 16 points; Huntly 233, 16; White Hills 160, 8; Colbinabbin 141, 8; North Bendigo 109, 8; Lockington Bamawm United 90, 8; Elmore 46, 0; Heathcote 43, 0; Leitchville Gunbower 36, 0.
B-grade:
Huntly 187 per cent, 16 points; White Hills 175, 12; Mount Pleasant 131, 10; Heathcote 125, 8; Elmore 90, 8; Lockington Bamawm United 74, 6; Leitchville Gunbower 41, 4; Colbinabbin 78, 0; North Bendigo 66, 0.
B-reserve:
Huntly 197 per cent, 16 points; Mount Pleasant 156, 12; White Hills 133, 8; North Bendigo 106, 8; Heathcote 104, 8; Lockington Bamawm United 101, 8; Colbinabbin 100, 4; Elmore 68, 0; Leitchville Gunbower 33, 0.
17-and-under:
Huntly 287 per cent, 16 points; Mount Pleasant 197, 16; White Hills 143, 12; Lockington Bamawm United 123, 8; Elmore 74, 4; Leitchville Gunbower 72, 4; Heathcote 62, 4; Colbinabbin 50, 0; North Bendigo 39, 0.
15-and-under:
Lockington Bamawm United 320 per cent, 16 points; Elmore 183, 14; White Hills 187, 8; Colbinabbin 107, 8; Leitchville Gunbower 95, 8; Huntly 84, 6; Heathcote 41, 4; North Bendigo 40, 0; Mount Pleasant 39, 0.
13-and-under:
Elmore 662 per cent, 16 points; Lockington Bamawm United 570, 16; Leitchville Gunbower 184, 12; Colbinabbin 138, 8; North Bendigo 83, 8; Mount Pleasant 52, 4; Heathcote 28, 0; Huntly 20, 0; White Hills 18, 0