A SHOWDOWN between Huntly and Leitchville Gunbower highlights Saturday’s round 11 action in Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL senior footy.
It’s second against fifth on the Harlowe Huntly Hawks turf in Strauch Reserve from 2.30pm.
The Hamish Morcom-coached Hawks will be determined to consolidate their place on the ladder’s second rung.
Victory for the LG Bombers is likely to give it a two-win break on Lockington Bamawm United.
When these teams met in round two it was Huntly which won 60-48 at Leitchville.
The Hawks drew last Saturday’s home game with LBU.
Among the key match-ups in the Hawks and Bombers clash will be Huntly forwards Sam Dunstan and Abe Sladden against Chris Horman and Max Hagan.
The Hawks also have the experienced Harry Whittle and Jacob Greenwood in the forward 50m arc.
A highlight will be the ruck duel between Huntly’s gun recruit Nathan Dunstan and Cheatley medallist Jobee Warde.
In midfield it will be Riley Beard, captain Steve Kairn and Joseph Artavilla who team up for the brown and gold against Austin Windridge, Will Brereton and Jett Keam.
The Shannon Keam-coached Bombers have Blake Dye and Bryce Barnstable to lead the attack against Darcy Lawler and Darby Walsh.
Another big game will be at Toolleen where Mount Pleasant takes on Lockington Bamawm United.
A drawn clash at Huntly kept the LBU Cats in striking distance of the top five.
In round two, Mount Pleasant won at Lockington’s Nichol Trading Oval by 50 points.
Chances of the LBU Cats taking the points on the Blues’ ground will rely a lot on the play of co-captains Brodie Collins and Brock Kennedy, Bart and Tyler Phillips, Jack Reiter and Stuart Taylor.
The Jayden Howe-coached LBU also has Jeremy Mundie, Jack O’Callaghan and Matt Hore capable of winning plenty of the footy.
Mount Pleasant fought on for a 16-point win at Heathcote’s Pigeon Park in Barrack Reserve last round.
A six-three record has the Blues in fourth place.
Key players for the Blues include co-coach Adam Baird, ruckman Chris Down, William Wallace, Bryce Hinneberg, Brodie Montague and Mitch Rovers.
Mounts also has Josh Hann and Cameron Carter teaming up as co-coaches.
Colbinabbin takes on Heathcote at Colbinabbin’s M.J. Morgan.
Although the opposition has drawn just one match, Colbinabbin will be wary of what Heathcote can do.
The Saints finished within 28 points of Colbinabbin in round two and took it right up to Mount Pleasant last round.
The Linton Jacobs-coached Colbinabbin was freshened up by last Saturday’s bye.
Key players for the green and gold include Isaac Carracher, Matt Riordan, Jai Carn, Nick Knight, Clint Shields and Aidan Basile.
Heathcote’s best against Mount Pleasant were Jackson Jones, Codie Price, Rhys Bolton and ruckman Aaron Gundry.
The Saints’ squad coached by Andrew Saladino and Liam Jacques includes Daniel and Dylan Johnstone, Zak Saad, Joseph Beedle and Lachlan Freeman Taber.
The Winslow Constructors White Hills Demons will be in their Scott Street den to take on Elmore.
In round two Elmore dominated on its turf to beat the Demons by 64 points.
White Hills will be determined to maintain a high level of pressure in every quarter.
Key players for the Demons include Patrick Eefting, Mitch Dole, Jack Lawton, Nick Wharton, co-coach Ben Taylor and Patrick Crawford.
A White Hills line-up jointly coached by Brad McConnell, non-playing, also has plenty of youngsters learning from every match.
Elmore will start favourite to take the points.
The Bloods will be keen to hit back from a 140-point loss to North Bendigo at Elmore last round.
Players to watch for the Bloods include Phil Smith, Matt O’Dwyer, Rhys Holmberg, James Harney, Cobi Fitzpatrick and coach Nathan Kay.
North Bendigo has the bye.
Heathcote DFNL senior footy ladder:
North Bendigo 267 per cent, 36 points; Huntly 101, 26; Colbinabbin 189, 24; Mount Pleasant 151, 24; Leitchville Gunbower 106, 18; Lockington Bamawm United 76, 14; Elmore 66, 12; White Hills 47, 4; Heathcote 61, 2.
Leading goalkickers:
36 Sam Dunstan, Huntly.
30 Mitch Bennett, Mount Pleasant.
27 Cody Riddick, North Bendigo.
26 Brandyn Grenfell, Colbinabbin.
25 Jake Dean, North Bendigo.
25 Dylan Klemm, North Bendigo.
22 Dylan Johnstone, Heathcote.
19 Darcy Richards, North Bendigo.
18 Alex Carr, Colbinabbin.
18 James Harney, Elmore.
18 Nick Knight, Colbinabbin.
16 Billy Hawken, Leitchville Gunbower.
16 Brodie-Leonard-Shannon, Mount Pleasant.
14 Chris Horman, Leitchville Gunbower.
14 Jack Reiter, Lockington Bamawm United.
14 Zak Saad, Heathcote.
14 Lachy Wilson, Huntly.
13 Blake Dye, Leitchville Gunbower.
13 Abe Sladden, Huntly.
12 Ryan Hartley, North Bendigo.
12 Jack Hickman, Mount Pleasant.
11 Liam Dillon, North Bendigo.
11 Jackson Jones, Heathcote.
11 Cohen Kekich, White Hills.
11 Thomas Leech, Lockington Bamawm United.
11 Ibrahim Taha, Heathcote.
10 Nathan Kay, Elmore.
10 Matt O’Dwyer, Elmore.
10 Bart Phillips, Lockington Bamawm United.
10 Jack Teasdale, Mount Pleasant.
10 Nic Waterson, North Bendigo.
9 Jake Thompson, White Hills.