THE Harlowe Huntly Hawks flew to an impressive 27-point victory in Sunday’s senior footy elimination final to put Leitchville Gunbower out of the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL premiership race.
Huntly marked a long-awaited return to the finals on North Bendigo’s turf at Bendigo Club Oval in Atkins Street.
The Hawks led 21-19 at quarter-time before Leitchville Gunbower took control in the second.
As the LG Bombers scored 5.4 they kept Huntly to a tally of three goals.
By half-time the Shannon Keam-coached Leitchville Gunbower led 53-39.
Quarter three was to be dominated by the brown and gold.
Huntly slammed on six goals and kept LG to just two majors.
By the last change the Hawks led 78-67.
Another four goals in the final term sealed a 103-76 victory for Huntly.
Gun forward Sam Dunstan kicked five goals as his season tally became 80.
The Hawks also had the skilful Deacon Wheelhouse and Harry Whittle slot three goals as Lachy Wilson kicked two.
Other goalkickers for Huntly were Ben Daley, Jacob Greenwood and Darby Walsh.
Leitchville Gunbower’s attack was led by Blake Dye on four goals as Charles Hancock kicked three.
The Bombers also had Tom Brereton, Brad Green, Billy Hawken and Jye Smith add a goal each.
Best for the Hamish Morcom-coached Hawks were Mitch Billings across half-back, Sam Dunstan, Harry Whittle, Dale Lowry, Harrison Campbell and Steve Kairn.
Ruckman and Cheatley medallist Jobee Warde was LG’s best along with Blake Dye, Matt McLellan, Billy Hawken, Charles Hancock and Will Brereton.
On Saturday it was Mount Pleasant which proved too strong for Colbinabbin in the second semi-final at Gunbower.
The Blues were under pressure early as Colbinabbin raced to a 33-9 lead by quarter-time.
Mount Pleasant hit back to be within eight points at half-time.
The second half was dominated by Mount Pleasant.
The Blues scored five goals in the third term and another three in the last to run out 87-54 victors.
Brilliant forward Ben Weightman mesmerised Colbinabbin’s defence at times as he slotted seven goals.
Other goalkickers for the Blues were Mitch Bennett and Brodie Leonard-Shannon on two each, and Bailey White.
Colbinabbin’s attack was led by Nick Knight and Clint Shields on two each.
Alex Carr, Brandyn Grenfell, Jimmy McMurtrie and Dean Smith added a goal.
Best for Mount Pleasant were Brodie Leonard-Shannon, Riley McNamara, Jack Hickman, Will Wallace, Deklan Wilie and Mitch Bennett.
Colbinabbin’s best were Angus Martin, Daniel Hill, Jimmy McMurtrie, Nathan Basile, Sam Ryan and Alex Van Ruiswyk.
A Mount Pleasant team which has Josh Hann and Adam Baird as playing co-coaches and Cam Carter as director of coaching will tackle North Bendigo in this Saturday’s second semi-final at Coblinabbin.
The Blues are the only team to beat the Bulldogs this season.
The Linton Jacobs-coached Colbinabbin will fight to stay in the flag race when it plays Huntly in Sunday’s first semi-final in Lockington.
The reserves finals kicked off with the qualifying final between Mount Pleasant and Huntly.
The Blues marked a 75-20 win against the Hawks.
On Sunday it was Lockington Bamawm United which dominated the elimination final against Colbinabbin.
The LBU Cats won 96-27.
The footy finals series kicked off with the under-18s qualifying final between White Hills and Heathcote.
By half-time the Heathcote Saints led 21-20.
The Winslow Constructors White Hills Demons fired up in the third quarter.
As the red and black scored 4.2 it kept Heathcote to a tally of two behinds.
It was 16-all in the last term as White Hills kicked on to a 62-39 victory.
On Sunday the Lockington Bamawm United Cats eliminated Mount Pleasant from the premiership race.
LBU marked a 90-57 win against the Blues in the elimination final in North Bendigo.
Schedule for Saturday’s second semi-finals at Colbinabbin’s M.J. Morgan Oval:
Under-18s at 9.30am: North Bendigo v White Hills.
Reserves at 12pm: North Bendigo v Mount Pleasant.
Seniors at 2.15pm: North Bendigo v Mount Pleasant.
Schedule for Sunday’s first semi-finals at Lockington’s Nichol Trading Oval:
Under-18s at 9.30am: Heathcote v Lockington Bamawm United.
Reserves at 12pm: Huntly v Lockington Bamawm United.
Seniors at 2.15pm: Colbinabbin v Huntly.
Leaders in the Heathcote DFNL senior goalkicking:
80 Sam Dunstan, Huntly.
61 Brandyn Grenfell, Colbinabbin.
44 Jake Dean, North Bendigo.
44 Dylan Johnstone, Heathcote.
43 Ben Weightman, Mount Pleasant.
42 Alex Carr, Colbinabbin.
40 Dylan Klemm, North Bendigo.
38 Matt Butler, Lockington Bamawm United.
38 Cody Riddick, North Bendigo.
37 Nick Knight, Colbinabbin.
34 Blake Dye, Leitchville Gunbower.
33 Mitch Bennett, Mount Pleasant.
33 Brodie Leonard-Shannon, Mount Pleasant.
31 Darcy Richards, North Bendigo.
26 James Harney, Elmore.
23 Thomas Leech, Lockington Bamawm United.
23 Bart Phillips, Lockington Bamawm United.
23 Lachy Wilson, Huntly.
21 Billy Hawken, Leitchville Gunbower.
21 Cohen Kekich, White Hills.
19 Ryan Hartley, North Bendigo.
19 Chris Horman, Leitchville Gunbower.
17 Jack Hickman, Mount Pleasant.
17 Nathan Kay, Elmore.
17 Ben Taylor, White Hills.
16 Liam Dillon, North Bendigo.
16 Matt O’Dwyer, Elmore.
16 Jack Reiter, Lockington Bamawm United.
16 Jack Teasdale, Mount Pleasant.