TWO of central Victoria’s biggest netball rivals, Colbinabbin and White Hills meet in this Saturday’s fifth round of A-grade action in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote District Football Netball League.
Colbinabbin will have home-court advantage at M.J. Morgan Reserve.
Latest meeting between these netball superpowers was the 2019 grand final in which White Hills beat the Grasshoppers by five goals.
Both teams, especially White Hills, have changed dramatically since then.
In this season’s action, the Grasshoppers and Demons have achieved a win-loss record of 3-1 and sit second and third on the ladder.
Both scored big wins last round.
Colbinabbin won at Leitchville by 45 goals, and White Hills won the home-court showdown with Heathcote by 27 goals.
Because both teams have such strong attacks, mid-court duels will be crucial for the Grasshoppers and Demons it what is likely to be another closely-fought contest.
Stung by a five-goal loss at Huntly, Mount Pleasant will be determined to strike back against Leitchville Gunbower on the Blues’ court at Toolleen.
Mounts has a 1-2 record, but just a win adrift of the fifth-placed Huntly.
The Huntly Hawks played brilliant netball to beat the Blues last round, but face a huge challenge against the undefeated Elmore on the Bloods’ court.
Heathcote takes on North Bendigo at Pigeon Park in Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve.
Win and the Saints would climb into the top five, provided Huntly is defeated.
North Bendigo had the bye last round and is on the rebound from a three-goal loss to White Hills at Hibo Hotel Oval in Atkins Street.
Lockington Bamawm United has the bye.
Standings in the Heathcote DFNL’s A-grade netball competition:
Elmore 189 per cent, 16 points; Colbinabbin 147, 12; White Hills 127, 12; North Bendigo 124, 8; Huntly 108, 8; Heathcote 80, 8; Mount Pleasant 81, 4; Lockington Bamawm United 53, 0; Leitchville Gunbower 45, 0.
Written by Nathan Dole