BY NATHAN DOLE
Netballers tune-up for finals campaign
WITH ladder positions sorted those who have qualified for A-grade finals will fine-tune their game in this Saturday’s round 18 action in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season.
The only team not on court will be White Hills which has the bye and has an extended break until a second semi-final showdown with Elmore or Colbinabbin on August 24.
In this Saturday’s play, Colbinabbin will be home at M.J. Morgan Oval to take on North Bendigo.
Runner-up in ’23, Colbinabbin has played superb netball to achieve a win-loss record of 12-3.
The Jen McIntyre-coached Grasshoppers have been freshened up by the bye.
Colbinabbin’s run this season includes a 15-goal win on North Bendigo’s court at Bendigo Club Oval in round nine.
It’s been a tough campaign for the Kiralee Kinder and Stacey Kingdon-coached North Bendigo in ’24.
Expectations of the Bulldogs were to feature in finals or be a strong challenger for a top-five finish.
It’s not to be for the red, white and blue which has a 2-13 record and will be determined to push Colbo until the final whistle.
After a great win at North Bendigo last Saturday, Lockington Bamawm United will be at home to face Elmore at Nichol Trading Oval.
Huge test for the Ash Cullen-coached LBU against an Elmore line-up which has won 12 matches and drawn another so far.
When these teams met in round nine it was the Allira Holmes and Gabe Richards-coached Elmore which fought on for a 51-38 victory.
The Bloods won their latest hit-out at home against Mount Pleasant by 30 goals.
Mount Pleasant returns to its court at Toolleen to play Leitchville-Gunbower.
The Anthea McCleary-coached Blues will be determined to play well against the Bombers.
A strong recruiting spree by LG has paid off as the Caitlyn Hamilton-coached Leitchville Gunbower chases its 11th win of the season.
Playing well from the first pass will be the goal for Heathcote’s team against the Harlowe Huntly Hawks at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve.
The Brooke Bolton and Kelsey Hayes-coached Heathcote was under the pump as White Hills charged to a 10-goal lead by quarter-time of last Saturday’s match at Pigeon Park in Heathcote.
The Saints played well to record a 25-goal win at home against the Kym Bell-coached Hawks in round nine.
White Hills has the bye.
Standings in the Heathcote DFNL A-grade netball competition:
White Hills 153 per cent, 56 points; Elmore 132, 50; Colbinabbin 147, 48; Leitchville Gunbower 129, 42; Heathcote 91, 28; Mount Pleasant 78, 16; Lockington Bamawm United 67, 12; Huntly 57, 12; North Bendigo 74, 8.