-By Nathan Dole
NORTH Bendigo strengthened its grip on the ladder’s top rung as it beat Colbinabbin in Saturday’s sixth round of Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL senior footy action.
It was first against second as the Bulldogs and Grasshoppers clashed at Bendigo Club Oval in North Bendigo’s Atkins Street.
Although Colbinabbin had first use of the breeze it was North Bendigo which led 16-11 at quarter-time.
In the second the Bulldogs upped their workrate at stoppages and were able to work the ball to the outside runners.
North Bendigo scored seven goals as the Hoppers added 2.3.
By the long break the Bulldogs led 62-26.
A closely-fought third quarter went North Bendigo’s way, 24-23.
Led by the play of on-baller Harrison Jarvie, co-coach Ryan Hartley and key defender Matt Gray, North Bendigo kicked on for a 102-80 victory.
Leading goalkickers for the Bulldogs were Darcy Richards and Cody Riddick on three as Jake Dean and Dylan Klemm added two each.
Colbinabbin’s attack was led by Alex Carr, Isaac Carracher, Brandyn Grenfell and Jude Ryan on two.
The Bulldogs also had ruckman Jordan Hargreaves, Bailey Cain, and Darcy Richards mark his 100th match for the club by being in the best.
It’s an unbeaten run of five matches by the Bulldogs who have dual premiership-winning coach Rob Bennett as non-playing coach.
Best for Colbinabbin were Toby Howlett, Clint Shields, Nathan Basile, Jude Ryan, Julian Bull and Daniel Hill.
After a premiership-winning hat-trick as Marong’s coach, Linton Jacobs has returned to the club where he played to coach Colbinabbin this season.
Elmore has doubled last season’s win tally after a hard-fought nine-point win at home against Heathcote.
Both teams were desperate for the points on the Bloods’ turf at Elmore Recreation Reserve.
A brilliant pick-up and snap on the run from near the 50m arc by Zak Saad capped a great start by Heathcote to this match.
It was goal-for-goal as Elmore led 22-15 at quarter-time.
The Bloods were first to goal in the second off the boot of Liam Bianco.
Heathcote struck back with a goal by Dylan Johnstone and then back-to-back goals by Jackson Jones to lead 34-29.
A Liam Birch shot took a miraculous bounce to give the Saints an 11-point buffer.
By half-time Heathcote led 42-33.
The Saints were dealt a huge blow when captain and co-coach Liam Jacques injured an ankle kicking at goal early in the third quarter.
The gun on-baller and Sam Cheatley medallist took no further part in the game.
When Matt O’Dwyer roved and snapped truly from a marking contest near the pocket the Bloods were back within four points.
It was Johnstone to Johnstone as Daniel kicked long to Dylan to mark and goal for the Saints.
Elmore replied quickly through Lachie Gawel.
Bloods’ captain Rhys Holmberg then inspired team-mates with consecutive goals to lead 60-52.
A third goal by Dylan Johnstone was followed by another set-shot by Liam Birch after the siren sounded for the Saints to be up 64-60.
Held goalless across three quarters, James Harney raised his game when it mattered.
Harney’s first major was followed by some more O’Dwyer brilliance in the forward pocket.
When Harney won two marking duels and kicked truly the Bloods led 86-66.
Heathcote never gave up and goaled through Jackson Jones twice to cut the deficit to nine points.
The 87-78 victory put Elmore in sixth place and just two points behind the fifth-placed Leitchville Gunbower.
Best for the Nathan Kay-coached Bloods were Rhys Holmberg, Lachie Munro, Jack Smith, Jarrad Kyne, Phil Smith and James Harney.
Jackson Jones, Connor Hamilton, Ben Connelly, Aaron Gundry, Will Tobin and Jye Formosa were best for a Saints team which has Andrew Saladino as non-playing co-coach.
Closest match of the day was at White Hills where the Winslow Constructors White Hills Demons kept the heat on Mount Pleasant.
Despite a winless run, White Hills marked its best of the match of the season at the Scott Street ground.
Mount Pleasant charged to a 32-7 lead at quarter-time, but from there the Demons either won or were narrowly beaten in the next three terms.
The Demons won the second, 25-20, and Mounts the third, 16-15.
White Hills scored 3.2 to 3.1 in the final term as the Blues clinched an 87-67 victory.
The Mounts’ attack was led by Mitch Bennett on four goals as Jack Hickman and Riley McNamara added two.
Demons’ captain Cohen Kekich kicked three goals and Josh Dwyer booted two.
Best for Mount Pleasant were Jack Hickman, Riley McNamara, Mitch Rovers, William Wallace, Bryce Hinneberg and co-coach Josh Hann.
The Blues have Cameron Carter as director of coaching and Adam Baird as a playing co-coach.
Best for White Hills were Jack Lawton, co-coach Ben Taylor, Cohen Kekich, Josh Dwyer, Jake Thompson and Mitch Dole.
The Demons have Brad McConnell as non-playing co-coach.
Leitchville Gunbower dominated quarters two and four on the way to a 97-37 victory against Lockington Bamawm United at Leitchville.
It was the LBU Cats who started strongly to lead 30-20 at the first break.
The LG Bombers then won the second, 22-nil.
Goals were at a premium in a third quarter which went the Bombers way, 9-7.
As it had done the previous round in the draw on Heathcote’s turf, Leitchville Gunbower slammed on seven goals and kept LBU scoreless in the final term.
Bombers’ captain Tom Brereton kicked five goals as nine team-mates were also on target.
The Cats’ attack was led by Thomas Leech and Jack Reiter on two.
Best for the Shannon Keam-coached Leitchville Gunbower were Jye Keath, Tom Brereton, Brady Hore, Brad Green, Max Hagan and Jobee Warde.
Patrick Keele, Lochlan Basham, Joseph Wolfe, Charlie Hinks, Jack Reiter and Jack O’Callaghan played well for the Jayden Howe-coached LBU.
Huntly had the bye.
Heathcote DFNL senior footy ladder:
North Bendigo 215 per cent, 20 points; Mount Pleasant 187, 20; Colbinabbin 179, 16; Huntly 92, 12; Leitchville Gunbower 87, 10; Elmore 77, 8; Lockington Bamawm United 71, 8; Heathcote 67, 2; White Hills 42, 0.
In next Saturday’s seventh round, Mount Pleasant tackles Harlowe Huntly Hawks at Toolleen.
Heathcote faces North Bendigo at Pigeon Park in Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve.
Colbinabbin and White Hills clash on Colbinabbin’s turf at M.J. Morgan Oval.
Lockington Bamawm United faces Elmore at Lockington’s Nichol Trading Oval.
Leitchville Gunbower has the bye.
Leading goalkickers:
25 Mitch Bennett, Mount Pleasant.
21 Sam Dunstan, Huntly.
17 Cody Riddick, North Bendigo.
16 Brandyn Grenfell, Colbinabbin.
15 James Harney, Elmore.
15 Brodie Leonard-Shannon, Mount Pleasant.
14 Dylan Klemm, North Bendigo.
12 Jake Dean, North Bendigo.
12 Dylan Johnstone, Heathcote.
11 Alex Carr, Colbinabbin.
11 Cohen Kekich, White Hills.
10 Billy Hawken, Leitchville Gunbower.
10 Nick Knight, Colbinabbin.
10 Zak Saad, Heathcote.
9 Thomas Leech, Lockington Bamawm United.
9 Darcy Richards, North Bendigo.
8 Jack Hickman, Mount Pleasant.
8 Matt O’Dwyer, Elmore.
7 Nathan Kay, Elmore.
7 Jack Reiter, Lockington Bamawm United.
7 Stuart Taylor, Lockington Bamawm United.
7 Jack Teasdale, Mount Pleasant.
6 Liam Bianco, Elmore.
6 Tom Brereton, Leitchville Gunbower.
6 Chris Horman, Leitchville Gunbower.
6 Jackson Jones, Heathcote.
6 Abe Sladden, Huntly.
6 Jordan Thomson, Elmore.
6 Lachy Wilson, Huntly.
5 Liam Dillon, North Bendigo.
5 Blake Dye, Leitchville Gunbower.
5 Lachie Gawel, Elmore.
5 Seb Greene, Mount Pleasant.
5 Ryan Hartley, North Bendigo.
5 Nick Sheldon, Lockington Bamawm United.
5 Caelan Smith, Mount Pleasant.
5 Clint Shields, Colbinabbin.