Crucial matches at Leitchville, Colbinabbin
AS THE race for the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL senior footy finals heats up, crucial matches will be played at Leitchville and Colbinabbin in Saturday’s 15th round.
It’s third against fourth as Leitchville Gunbower takes on Heathcote at Leitchville from 2.15pm.
When these clubs met in round six it was the LG Bombers won who 70-61 on Heathcote’s turf at Pigeon Park in Barrack Reserve.
A win on Saturday will strengthen the grip the Shannon Keam-coached Bombers have on the third rung and double chance at finals time.
The Heathcote line-up coached by Andrew Saladino will be equally desperate as victory will lift the Saints to third and a win clear of Mount Pleasant or Colbinabbin.
As the Bombers had the bye last round Heathcote marked a 105-point win at home against Elmore.
Among the many key match-ups on Saturday will be in the ruck where Jobee Warde takes on James Orr.
Across midfield the Bombers have Bryce Barnstable, Charles Hancock and James Brereton to take on Codie Price, Callum Birch and Joseph Beedle.
An important match-up for the Bombers will be against Corey Grindlay who was named as ruck-rover but could play midfield or deep in attack.
Players to watch for the Bombers include Fraser Buchanan and Billy Hawken in attack, Hoby Bussey, Thomas Guerra and Brady Hore in defence.
The Saints attack has the marking power of Cooper Webber-Mirkin and Daniel Johnstone and the skilful Jackson Conforti and Zak Saad at ground level.
Sixth takes on fifth when Colbinabbin is home at M.J. Morgan Oval to take on Mount Pleasant.
The Grasshoppers and Blues are locked on 24 points.
After a fighting two-point win against White Hills in round 13 at home, Colbinabbin fell to a 75-67 defeat at Huntly last Saturday.
The Jed Brain-coached Colbinabbin will be fired up for this match.
Key players for the green and gold representing Colbinabbin include Aidan and Nathan Basile, Nick Knight, Connor Aldous, Jai Carn, Laine and Logan Fitzgerald, Alex Carr, Julian Bull and captain Will Lowe.
Mount Pleasant has dual premiership-winning coach Cam Carter as director of coaching and the talented Ben Bisset and Jack Hickman as playing coaches.
The Blues scored a seven-goal win against Lockington Bamawm United at Toolleen last round.
Ruckman and captain Chris Down is in superb form for the Blues.
Other players to watch for Mounts include Mitch Bennett, Zebb Murrell, Jaxson Nihill, Bailey and Fletcher White, and the pacy Mitch Rovers.
Elmore faces a daunting task at home against the Winslow White Hills Demons.
The Nathan Kay-coached Bloods will be aiming to maintain a high level of pressure in all quarters and to capitalise on scoring chances.
Key players for Elmore include co-captain and ruckman Daniel Russell, full-forward James Harney, co-captain Rhys Holmberg, Sam Lees, Joseph Harney and Kynan Sharpe.
The Jack Fallon and Kaiden Antonowicz-coached White Hills will not want the intensity to drop following a 22-point win at home against North Bendigo to hold top spot on the ladder.
In-form players for the Demons include Mitch Dole, Rhys Irwin, Ben Taylor and Cameron Taggert.
There’s plenty of attacking options through the play of Antonowicz, James Davies, Liam Bartels and Cohen Kekich.
The Demons also have Ben Bacon and Jake Pallpratt available to play.
After being reported for forceful front-on contact, Bacon lodged an early guilty plea and was reprimanded.
Pallpratt was booked for striking and was reprimanded after he made an early guilty plea.
Memories of a five-point loss at Huntly in round six will spur North Bendigo on in this Saturday’s showdown between the Bulldogs and Hawks at Bendigo Club Oval in Atkins Street.
It’s a big day as the Bulldogs and Hawks play for the Golden City Cup.
North Bendigo is also running Ladies’ Day and Sponsors’ Day.
On the footy field the Rob Bennett-coached Bulldogs will be hungry to take the points after last Saturday’s loss at White Hills.
The Dogs’ squad for this round includes Tyson Findlay, Jordan Ford, Ryan AlfordBilly Robertson, Dylan Klemm and Sam Barnes.
Talented midfielder Nic Waterson steps up to be captain as Aarryn Craig starts a two-game ban for forceful front-on contact in the match at White Hills.
The Bulldogs have brought in Harlan Draper and Brodie Reaper for their first senior games.
In a week where Hamish Morcom was re-appointed as coach for 2025, Huntly will be determined to upset the Dogs once again.
Greater difficulty this time in the kennel.
The Hawks teamed well to beat Colbinabbin last Saturday.
Players to watch in the brown and gold include Lachy Wilson, Jackson Fry, Harry Whittle, Flynn Campbell and Lachlan Brook.
The Hawks also have the experience of Ben Daley, captain Steve Kairn, and Dale Lowry.
Lockington Bamawm United has the bye.
Heathcote DFNL senior footy ladder:
White Hills 184 per cent, 44 points; North Bendigo 167, 40; Leitchville Gunbower 101, 32; Heathcote 119, 28; Mount Pleasant 122, 24; Colbainbbin 91, 24; Huntly 68, 16; Lockington Bamawm United 69, 12; Elmore 45, 4.
Leading goalkickers:
50 Kaiden Antonowicz, White Hills.
48 Corey Grindlay, Heathcote.
46 Dylan Klemm, North Bendigo.
42 James Harney, Elmore.
33 Liam Bartels, White Hills.
32 Ben Bisset, Mount Pleasant.
29 Alex Carr, Colbinabbin.
25 Lachy Wilson, Huntly.
24 Jake Dean, North Bendigo.
23 James Davies, White Hills.
23 Anthony McMahon, Lockington Bamawm United.
22 Cohen Kekich, White Hills.
21 Mitch Bennett, Mount Pleasant.
21 Thomas Leech, Lockington Bamawm United.
20 Sam Barnes, North Bendigo.
19 Clint Shields, Colbinabbin.
18 Jordan Ford, North Bendigo.
17 Fraser Buchanan, Leitchville Gunbower.
17 Mitch Dole, White Hills.
17 Cooper Webber-Mirkin, Heathcote.
16 Jack Reiter, Lockington Bamawm United.
15 Chris Horman, Leitchville Gunbower.
15 Mitch Rovers, Mount Pleasant.
14 Liam Birch, Heathcote.
14 Jackson Conforti, Heathcote.
14 Billy Hawken, Leitchville Gunbower.
14 Caleb Hislop, Leitchville Gunbower.
13 Jack Hickman, Mount Pleasant.
13 Nathan Kay, Elmore.
13 Jaxson Nihill, Mount Pleasant.
13 Charles Ryan, Colbinabbin.
13 Zak Saad, Heathcote.
13 Jordan Wilson, Colbinabbin.
12 Ben Taylor, White Hills.
11 Jed Brain, Colbinabbin.
10 Pat Bogers, North Bendigo.
10 Hakeem Johnson, North Bendigo.
10 Abe Sladden, Huntly.