BY NATHAN DOLE
Demons fight to hold top spot against Bulldogs
It’s Community Bank Round across the Heathcote DFNL.
The Bendigo Bank branches at Elmore, Lockington, Rushworth and Heathcote have kicked in to show their long-running support of the league’s footy and netball competitions.
TOP spot is up for grabs as the Winslow White Hills Demons take on North Bendigo in this Saturday’s round 14 action in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL senior footy season.
The winner will be a strong chance to stay at number one and be guaranteed a start in the second semi-final.
A lot of footy is to be played before then, starting with this Saturday’s showdown at Winslow Constructors Oval in Scott Street, White Hills at 2.30pm.
The Demons will be fired up after last Saturday’s two-point loss on Colbinabbin’s ground at M.J. Morgan Oval.
As White Hills was beaten, North Bendigo’s run kept rolling in a 116-66 victory against Heathcote in the Bulldogs’ kennel at Bendigo Club Oval in Atkins Street.
The first of two defeats for White Hills this season was at North Bendigo in round five by 26 points.
The Rob Bennett-coached Bulldogs charged to a 56-15 lead by quarter-time.
There’s plenty of goalscoring power in the Demons and Bulldogs line-ups.
Midfield and on-ball duels will be crucial.
White Hills has Callum Crisp, co-coach Jack Fallon, Mitch Dole, Rhys Irwin and Ryan Walker to take on Aidan Brohm, Ryan Hartley, Nic Waterson, Nathan Newlan and Tyson Findlay.
A strong attack for the Demons includes co-coach Kaiden Antonowicz, James Davies, Liam Bartels and Cohen Kekich.
It’s a formidable attack for the Bulldogs led by Dylan Klemm, Jake Dean, Sam Barnes and Jordan Ford.
Another big match will be at Toolleen where Mount Pleasant takes on Lockington Bamawm United.
Mounts start the round in sixth place, a win behind Colbinabbin.
As Mounts had the bye last round the LBU line-up won at home against Huntly by 21 points.
In pursuit of back-to-back premierships, Mount Pleasant has five matches to play to qualify for finals.
Although LBU has won just three matches, Mount Pleasant will be wary as the Cats beat the Blues by six goals at Lockington in round five.
The coaching set up at Mount Pleasant is Cam Carter as director of coaching and Ben Bisset and Jack Hickman as playing coaches.
Bisset and Hickman have been among the Blues’ best all season.
A talented line-up for Mount Pleasant includes ruckman and captain Chris Down, Mitch Rovers, Bailey and Fletcher White, Jaxson Nihill, Daniel and Michael Whiting, and Mitch Bennett.
The Stacy Fiske-coached LBU will be striving to make a strong finish to the season and play a part in determining who makes or does not make the finals.
LBU’s team bound for Toolleen includes premiership-winning coach Brodie Collins, ruckman Tyler Phillips, Thomas Leech, Joseph Wolfe, Matt Hore, Jesse Collins, Elijah and Jacob Bruns.
It’s a huge plus for Heathcote as classy forward/midfielder Zak Saad will play his first match since round three.
The Saints are back at Pigeon Park in Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve to take on Elmore.
Saad made a superb start to the season by kicking 10 goals before he was injured.
Heathcote also welcomes back key position player Daniel Johnstone.
After playing most of the season in defence, Johnstone kicked five goals in match against Mount Pleasant.
It’s a must-win match for the Saints who are now fighting to hold their place in the five.
After a three-nil start to the season the Andrew Saladino-coached Heathcote is now three-six and in fourth place.
When these clubs met in round five it was Heathcote which dominated the final quarter to win by 64 points.
Last season’s runner-up, Heathcote still has the run and skill of Codie Price, versatile Braden Padmore, and Corey Grindlay to star in attack, midfield or on-ball role.
After crossing to Heathcote from Kyneton, James Orr has shown he is one of the Heathcote DFNL’s best ruckmen.
Although it’s against an opponent which has recorded just one victory, Heathcote will be wary of what the Bloods can do.
Being able to string four quality quarters is what the Saints and Bloods have battled to do for a lot of this season.
Elmore coach Nathan Kay is capable of winning plenty of the footy at centre breaks and stoppages.
The Bloods also have James Harney in attack, Daniel Russell in the ruck, Luke Price in the centre, Rhys and Zack Holmberg, Jake Dick-O’Flaherty and Connor Walsh.
The Harlowe Huntly Hawks are home at Strauch Reserve to take on the in-form Colbinabbin.
A six-six record has put the Jed Brain-coached Colbinabbin in fifth place.
The Grasshoppers will not want the intensity they brought in a two-point win against White Hills to drop away.
When the Grasshoppers and Hawks met in round five it was Colbinabbin which marked a four-goal victory.
Two of Huntly’s three wins this season were at home.
The Hawks beat North Bendigo in one of the biggest upsets of recent years.
The Hamish Morcom-coached Hawks will be keen to play well in front of their home fans.
Harry Whittle, Steve Kairn, Dale Lowry, Ben Daley, Lachy Wilson, Jacob Greenwood and Flynn Campbell will play crucial roles in Huntly’s attempt to beat the Grasshoppers.
Midfielders Nathan Basile, Logan Fitzgerald and Jude Ryan were in great form as Colbinabbin defeated the Demons.
Hard-working defender Connor Aldous will be primed for a big game against his former club.
Other players to watch in the green and gold include Jai Carn, Alex Carr, Jordan Wilson and Clint Shields.
Leitchville Gunbower has the bye.
Heathcote DFNL senior footy ladder:
White Hills 190 per cent, 40 points; North Bendigo 180, 40; Leitchville Gunbower 101, 32; Heathcote 109, 24; Colbinabbin 91, 24; Mount Pleasant 119, 20; Lockington Bamawm United 69, 12; Huntly 65, 12; Elmore 46, 4.
Leading goalkickers:
45 Kaiden Antonowicz, White Hills.
45 Corey Grindlay, Heathcote.
42 Dylan Klemm, North Bendigo.
37 James Harney, Elmore.
29 Liam Bartels, White Hills.
28 Alex Carr, Colbinabbin.
24 Ben Bisset, Mount Pleasant.
24 Jake Dean, North Bendigo.
23 James Davies, White Hills.
23 Anthony McMahon, Lockington Bamawm United.
21 Cohen Kekich, White Hills.
21 Lachy Wilson, Huntly.
20 Thomas Leech, Lockington Bamawm United.
19 Sam Barnes, North Bendigo.
19 Clint Shields, Colbinabbin.
18 Mitch Bennett, Mount Pleasant.
17 Fraser Buchanan, Leitchville Gunbower.
16 Mitch Dole, White Hills.
16 Jordan Ford, North Bendigo.
15 Chris Horman, Leitchville Gunbower.
14 Billy Hawken, Leitchville Gunbower.
14 Caleb Hislop, Leitchville Gunbower.
14 Mitch Rovers, Mount Pleasant.
14 Cooper Webber-Mirkin, Heathcote.
13 Jack Reiter, Lockington Bamawm United.
12 Liam Birch, Heathcote.
12 Jack Hickman, Mount Pleasant.
12 Nathan Kay, Elmore.
12 Jaxson Nihill, Mount Pleasant.
12 Charles Ryan, Colbinabbin.
12 Ben Taylor, White Hills.
11 Jed Brain, Colbinabbin.
11 Jordan Wilson, Colbinabbin.
10 Hakeem Johnson, North Bendigo.
10 Zak Saad, Heathcote.