NORTH Bendigo’s run of victories on home turf at Hibo Hotel Oval in Atkins Street rolled on in Saturday’s start to the Bendigo Bank Heathcote District Football Netball League’s senior footy action.
It was a vastly different North Bendigo team to the one which won the 2019 grand final.
The Matt Dillon-coached North Bendigo was keen to start well against the Huntly Hawks.
The Bulldogs led 13-2 at quarter-time and 29-11 at the long break.
Best quarter of the contest was the third as North added 5.1 and the Hawks scored 4.3.
Strong defence was a key to the Bulldogs play as it held Huntly to five goals in the 76-42 victory.
Shane Harris and Aarryn Craig led North Bendigo’s attack on three and two goals.
The Bulldogs’ best were Lachlan Ford, Harry O’Meara, Aarryn Craig and Jordan Ford.
Huntly’s best were Blayne Ryan-Storey, Jay McDonald, Jake Maher and key defender Tyler Miles.
Heathcote played extremely well to be within 20 points of the highly-rated Lockington Bamawm United at three quarter-time of their showdown at Pigeon Park in Barrack Reserve.
The LBU Cats led 17-2 at quarter-time and 39-23 at half-time.
Heathcote kept the pressure up to score 2.2 in the third as LBU added 2.6.
In the final term the class and strength of LBU was telling as the Cats slammed on 6.3 to 2.0 to complete a 96-49 victory.
Thomas Leech kicked a game-high four goals for LBU as Jarrod Bacon, three, and Joss Howlett, two, played well.
Heathcote’s attack was led by Jackson Jones and Mitchell McLean on two each.
The list of best players for LBU was not supplied.
Best for the Saints were William Long, Matthew Mikic, Dillon Hardy and Darcy McLean.
It was another big day for the White Hills attack as the Demons scored a 146-point victory against Letichville Gunbower.
The Sam Kerridge-coached Demons have won consecutive matches on home turf at Tint-A-Car Oval in Scott Street.
Jed Lamb was again in brilliant form as he booted eight goals.
The return of Matt Sawyer is a huge plus for the Demons as he kicked five majors and Kerridge added four in the 28.18 (186) to 5.10 (40) result.
White Hills scored 10 goals to a point in a remarkable final quarter.
Kerridge was best afield and had great support from Tate Mifka, Hayden Wright and Lachlan Collihole.
Best for Leitchville Gunbower were Lee Pollock, Nathan McLellan, Josh Hawken and Tom Brereton.
Elmore faced Colbinabbin under lights at Elmore Recreation Reserve.
The Bloods played well in the first term as Colbo led 15-14 at the break.
Colbo’s buffer was 23 points at three quarter-time.
The Grasshoppers then switched up a gear or two as they scored 8.5 to 2.1 in the last term to record a 116-53 victory.
Stephen Tuohey kicked three goals for Colbo as Todd Clarke, Laine Fitzgerald, Nash Fitzgerald and Sam Ryan added two each.
Joseph Harney kicked a game-high five goals for Elmore.
Colbinabbin’s best were Ben Southam, Lachlan Ezard, Laine Fitzgerald and ruckman Lochlan Sirett.
James Harney, Nic Kellow, Dylan Gordan and Bailey Boyack played well for Elmore.
Mount Pleasant had the bye.
The 2021 campaign for the Darren Walsh-coached Mount Pleasant kicks off this Saturday at Elmore.
Leitchville Gunbower hosts North Bendigo at Degroot Roof Painting Oval in Leitchville.
Match of the day will be Nichol Trading Oval in Lockington where Lockington Bamawm United tackles Colbinabbin.
Huntly and Heathcote clash at Specialist Breeders Australia Oval in Huntly’s Strauch Reserve.
White Hills has the bye.
Written by Nathan Dole