BY NATHAN DOLE
Bulldogs jump to top of ladder
NORTH Bendigo jumped to the top of the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL senior footy ladder after a hard-fought win against the Winslow White Hills Demons in Saturday’s fifth round.
Unbeaten runs of the Bulldogs and Demons were on the line at Bendigo Club Oval in North Bendigo’s Atkins Street.
A fast starter in its three previous wins, North Bendigo repeated the feat as it slammed on 9.2 to 2.3 in the opening term.
The Demons lifted their intensity to win the second quarter, 29-18.
Both teams added 4.1 in the third quarter.
Although outscored in the last the Rob Bennett-coached Bulldogs had done enough to record a 127-101 victory.
The athleticism and marking power of Dylan Klemm across half-forward or closer to goal was a highlight as he finished with three goals in a best on ground performance.
Jordan Ford was a driving force in attack on six goals as Sam Barnes, Tyson Findlay and Hakeem Johnson added two apiece for the red, white and blue.
The Demons’ attack was led by co-coach Kaiden Antonowicz on six as James Davies and Mitch Dole added four each.
North Bendigo’s best were Dylan Klemm, Will Gilmore, Riley Paetow, Hamish McCartney, Nic Waterson and Jordan Ford.
Best for the Demons were Alex Davis, Ben Taylor, Jack Lawton, James Davies, co-coach Jack Fallon, and Antonowicz.
A brilliant second quarter set up Lockington Bamawm United’s win on home turf at Nichol Trading Oval against Mount Pleasant.
LBU was down 19-20 at quarter-time, but then slammed on 7.2 to 1.2 in the second term.
The Stacy Fiske-coached Cats led by 35 points at the main break.
Mounts won the third, 16-11, and LBU the last, 14-8, as defences were on top for a lot of the final hour.
LBU marked an 88-52 victory against the Cam Carter-coached Blues.
Antony McMahon and Jeremy Mundie kicked four goals each for LBU.
Only multiple goalkicker for Mounts was Ben Bisset on two.
Best for the Cats were Jeremy Mundie, Tyler Phillips, Stacy Fiske, Taylor Butler, Brock Kennedy and James Yosiffidis.
The Blues’ best were Fletcher White, Chris Down, Sam Greene, Jack Teasdale, Mitch Bennett and Jack Hickman.
Colbinabbin kicked clear of the Harlowe Huntly Hawks in the second half of their match at Colbinabbin’s M.J. Morgan.
The Jed Brain-coached Grasshoppers led 41-35 at half-time.
In the third the green and gold scored 3.3 to 1.1.
Despite an inaccurate 2.5 in the last, Colbinabbin marked a 79-55 victory against the brown and gold.
Alex Carr and Clint Shields led Colbo’s attack on three goals apiece.
Huntly’s leading goalkickers were Harry McCormick, three, and Dale Lowry, two.
Best for Colbinabbin were Nick Knight, Nathan Basile, Connor Aldous, Jude Ryan, Clint Shields and Aidan Basile.
Brodie Fry, Harry McCormick, Darby Walsh, Harry Whittle, Dale Lowry and Steve Kairn were best for the Hawks.
Elmore drew a big turn-out for Past Players Day and the first leg of the club’s 150th year celebrations.
On-field the Bloods were up against a Heathcote line-up on the rebound from defeat.
Heathcote won the first term, 28-8, but the Bloods fought back to win the second, 13-12.
A high-scoring third quarter went the Saints way, 39-32.
It was all Heathcote in the final term as the visitors slammed on 5.8 and kept Elmore scoreless.
At the final siren the Saints led 117-53.
Corey Grindlay, Henry McCarthy and Braden Padmore kicked three goals for Heathcote as Liam Birch and Cooper Webber-Mirkin added two.
The Bloods’ attack was led by James Harney, three, and Luke Price, two.
Best for Heathcote were Cheatley medallist and gun on-baller Liam Jacques, Tim Long, ruckman James Orr, Braden Padmore, Corey Grindlay and Liam Birch.
Rhys Holmberg, Nicholas Mayne, Joseph Harney, Kyle Armstrong, Kynan Sharpe and Dominic Dick-O’Flaherty were Elmore’s best.
Leitchville Gunbower had the bye.
Heathcote DFNL senior footy ladder:
North Bendigo 180 per cent, 16 points; White Hills 179, 16; Heathcote 161, 16; Colbinabbin 79, 8; Leitchville Gunbower 78, 8; Lockington Bamawm United 69, 8; Mount Pleasant 101, 4; Huntly 59, 4; Elmore 46, 0.
In next Saturday’s sixth round, Heathcote is on home turf at Pigeon Park in Barrack Reserve to take on Leitchville Gunbower.
The Harlowe Huntly Hawks are home at Strauch Reserve to face North Bendigo.
Mount Pleasant and Colbinabbin clash at Toolleen.
The Winslow White Hills Demons are home at Winslow Constructors Oval in Scott Street to tackle Elmore.
Lockington Bamawm United has the bye.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
24 Corey Grindlay, Heathcote.
19 Kaiden Antonowicz, White Hills
17 Dylan Klemm, North Bendigo
15 Alex Carr, Colbinabbin.
14 James Harney, Elmore.
14 Anthony McMahon, Lockington Bamawm United.
11 Liam Bartels, White Hills
11 James Davies, White Hills.
10 Zak Saad, Heathcote.
9 Ben Bisset, Mount Pleasant.
8 Jake Dean, North Bendigo
8 Jordan Ford, North Bendigo.
8 Cooper Webber-Mirkin, Heathcote.
8 Lachy Wilson, Huntly.
7 Liam Birch, Heathcote.
7 Mitch Dole, White Hills.
7 Christian Hatzis, Mount Pleasant.
7 Hakeem Johnson, North Bendigo.
7 Cohen Kekich, White Hills.
6 Sam Barnes, North Bendigo.
6 Jed Brain, Colbinabbin.
6 Chris Horman, Leitchville Gunbower.
6 Jeremy Mundie, Lockington Bamawm United.
6 Braden Padmore, Heathcote.
6 Clint Shields, Colbinabbin.
6 Stuart Taylor, Lockington Bamawm United.