THE Harlowe Huntly Hawks kick off a tough run to the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL senior footy finals in Saturday’s clash with Mount Pleasant.
The Hamish Morcom-coached Hawks take on the Blues in the round 16 clash from 2.30pm at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve.
Huntly’s run to a long-awaited finals appearance involves the round 17 clash on Colbinabbin’s ground.
The Hawks will not be fazed by the challenge.
Back in round seven the Hawks overcame a three-goal deficit at three quarter-time to win 74-72 on Mounts’ ground in Toolleen.
A tally of seven wins, five defeats and a draw has Huntly in fourth place on 30 points.
It’s been a brilliant first season by Huntly full-forward Sam Dunstan who has kicked 59 goals in 13 matches.
At the other end of the field Mount Pleasant has welcomed back ’23 premiership-winning co-coach Ben Weightman.
Since his return to the Blues, Weightman has booted 25 goals in five games.
On-ball duels will be crucial in this match.
Huntly has ruckman Nathan Dunstan to team with Dale Lowry, Ben Daley and Steve Kairn.
The Blues will be without co-captain and ruckman Chris Down.
It’s Michael Whiting who is likely to take on the rucking role and team with the likes of co-coaches Josh Hann and Adam Baird, Jack Hickman and Brodie Montague.
Huntly’s squad includes Mitch Billings, Abe Sladden, Joseph Violi, Darby Walsh and Harry Whittle.
Players to watch for the Blues include Joey Bell, Bryce Hinneberg, Mitch Rovers, co-captain William Wallace, Jesse Tuohey and Deklan Wille.
Mount Pleasant has dual premiership coach Cam Carter as director of coaching.
Winslow Constructors White Hills Demons will be in their Scott Street den to play Colbinabbin.
In round seven the Linton Jacobs-coached Colbinabbin beat the Demons by 123 points.
White Hills teamed superbly on their ground to beat Huntly in round 14 by four points, but then ran into Mount Pleasant last Saturday.
Huge challenge for Demons’ defenders Jake Dickens, Ben Irvine, Nick Wallace and Ryan Clark against Brandyn Grenfell, Alex Carr, Jude and Sam Ryan.
White Hills ruckman Jack Lawton takes on the experienced Julian Bull.
Demons’ co-coach Ben Taylor is dangerous in an on-ball role or closer to goal.
Other key players for the red and black are captain Cohen Kekich, Mitch Dole and Seth Boyd in attack, and Patrick Eefting in the centre.
The Linton Jacobs-coached Colbinabbin has Nathan Basile in the centre, Matt Riordan, Clint Shields and Jimmy McMurtrie in defence.
Midifelder Alex Van Ruiswyk will mark his 200th match for Colbinabbin.
The ladder-leading North Bendigo will be back on its turf at Bendigo Club Oval in Atkins Street to play Heathcote.
The Bulldogs have achieved a 20-plus match-winning streak against the Saints.
Back in round seven the Dogs won at Pigeon Park in Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve by 25 goals.
The Andrew Saladino and Liam Jacques-coached Heathcote will be determined the margin is much closer this time.
The Saints will have gained lots of confidence from last Saturday’s hard-fought win against Elmore.
Limiting the supply to North Bendigo forwards Jake Dean, Dylan Klemm, Darcy Richards and Cody Riddick is a key target for the Saints.
A powerful North Bendigo team includes co-coach and ruck-rover Ryan Hartley, Liam Dillon, ruckman Jordan Hargreaves, Will Gilmore, Ryan Gillingham and captain Aarryn Craig.
Saints’ running machine Rhys Bolton was best afield against Elmore and had great support from the likes of Will Tobin, Ben Connelly and Seb Barnett.
Huge plus for Heathcote was the play of small forward and on-balelr Justin Bateson who kicked two goals and set up some more.
The Saints also have the experience of Codie Price at half-back, Jonty Kelly, Daniel and Dylan Johnstone and Joseph Beedle.
Another big test for young ruckman Aaron Gundry.
Elmore will be back home to play Lockington Bamawm United.
A great match between these clubs in round seven ended in a 94-89 win for Elmore on Lockington’s Nichol Trading Oval.
The Bloods will be keen to hit back from last Saturday’s defeat, but take on an opponent which beat Leitchville Gunbower.
An Elmore win would put the Bloods above the Cats on the ladder.
Key players for Elmore include coach Nathan Kay, Liam Bianco, captain Rhys Holmberg, Matt O’Dwyer, Phil Smith, Lachie Gawel and Jake Dick-O’Flaherty.
The LBU Cats have re-appointed coach Jayden Howe.
Players to watch for LBU include co-captains Brodie Collins and Brock Kennedy, Matt Butler, Tyler Phillips, Thomas Leech, Stuart Taylor and Jack Reiter.
The Cats will be without Nicholas Sheldon who was handed a two-match ban after an early guilty plea for rough conduct.
Leitchville Gunbower has the bye.
Heathcote DFNL senior footy ladder:
North Bendigo 249 per cent, 48 points; Mount Pleasant 158, 44; Colbinabbin 193, 40; Huntly 103, 30; Leitchville Gunbower 97, 26; Lockington Bamawm United 80, 18; Elmore 59, 16; Heathcote 67, 10; White Hills 49, 8.
Leading goalkickers:
59 Sam Dunstan, Huntly.
48 Brandyn Grenfell, Colbinabbin.
37 Jake Dean, North Bendigo.
35 Dylan Klemm, North Bendigo.
33 Dylan Johnstone, Heathcote.
32 Cody Riddick, North Bendigo.
30 Mitch Bennett, Mount Pleasant.
30 Alex Carr, Colbinabbin.
30 Nick Knight, Colbinabbin.
26 James Harney, Elmore.
26 Brodie Leonard-Shannon, Mount Pleasant.
25 Ben Weightman, Mount Pleasant.
24 Darcy Richards, North Bendigo.
21 Matt Butler, Lockington Bamawm United.
19 Billy Hawken, Leitchville Gunbower.
18 Blake Dye, Leitchville Gunbower.
18 Thomas Leech, Lockington Bamawm United.
17 Chris Horman, Leitchville Gunbower.
16 Ryan Hartley, North Bendigo.
16 Cohen Kekich, White Hills.
15 Liam Dillon, North Bendigo.
15 Jack Hickman, Mount Pleasant.
15 Jack Reiter, Lockington Bamawm United.
15 Zak Saad, Heathcote.
14 Nathan Kay, Elmore.
14 Matt O’Dwyer, Elmore.
14 Abe Sladden, Huntly.
14 Jack Teasdale, Mount Pleasant.
14 Lachy Wilson, Huntly.
13 Jackson Jones, Heathcote.
13 Mitch Rovers, Mount Pleasant.
13 Ben Taylor, White Hills.
12 Tom Brereton, Leitchville Gunbower