BY NATHAN DOLE
VICTORIOUS in its past two matches, North Bendigo is primed for another big A-grade netball match in Saturday’s fifth round of the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season.
The Shellie Davies-coached North Bendigo holds fifth place on the ladder after a 44-42 win against Huntly in last Saturday’s play at Hibo Hotel Oval in North Bendigo’s Atkins Street.
It’s a huge test for the team in red, white and blue as it travels to M.J. Morgan Reserve in Colbinabbin to take on the second-placed Grasshoppers.
The Jen McIntyre-coached Colbinabbin dominated last Saturday’s play at Lockington to mark a 79-30 victory.
Key players for the green and gold include Olivia McEvoy in mid-court, Tanzin Myers and Elle Palmer in defence, and Matile McIntyre in attack.
North Bendigo has played well to beat the Cats and Hawks in its past two hit-outs, but Colbo on its court is a massive challenge.
The Bulldogs worked hard to overcame a four-goal deficit at half-time of the match against Huntly to win a great contest by two.
Another big match will be at Winslow Constructors Oval in Scott Street, White Hills where the Demons take on Mount Pleasant.
It’s third against fourth.
The Lauren Bowles-coached White Hills has a 2-1 record after a six-goal loss at Elmore last round in the rematch of the 2022 grand finalists.
Back at home, White Hills will be confident of taking the premiership points.
Key players for the Demons include Tegan Elliston, Alyssa Cole, Danni Wee Hee and Amy Morrissey.
The Carine Comer-coached Mount Pleasant has played well to achieve a 3-1 record.
Latest hit-out for Mounts was at home at Toolleen where it scored a 57-38 win against Leitchville Gunbower.
It will be Leitchville Gunbower or Lockington Bamawm United who mark their first win of the season when they play on the Leitchville court.
It’s been a tough run for the Gemma Angove-coached Bombers who have met White Hills, home; played at Heathcote; hosted Elmore; and then played at Toolleen in the opening four games.
The Jessie Hardess-coached LBU had the bye in round one and have since played at North Bendigo, Huntly, and then at home against Colbinabbin.
After a bye, Heathcote is back on court to take on Elmore at Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve.
The Saints regain co-coach and gun mid-courter Brooke Bolton for this match against a rampant Elmore line-up.
Heathcote is jointly coached by Brooke Bolton and Kelsey Hayes and will rely a lot on its pressure through the mid-court and in defence.
A formidable Elmore attack has scored 294 goals in four matches.
The Bloods are jointly coached by Allira Holmes and Gabe Richards who played crucial roles in the club breaking an A-grade premiership drought which had lasted 54 years.
Huntly has the bye.
Standings in the Heathcote DFNL’s A-grade netball competition:
Elmore 168 per cent, 16 points; Colbinabbin 156, 12; Mount Pleasant 101, 12; White Hills 200, 8; North Bendigo 101, 8; Huntly 80, 4; Heathcote 75, 4; Lockington Bamawm United 60, 0; Leitchville Gunbower 40, 0.