BY NATHAN DOLE
UNBEATEN in seven matches, Elmore knows the relentless pressure will not ease as it chases consecutive A-grade netball premierships in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote District Football Netball League.
The Bloods broke a long-running premiership drought last September and again are the team to beat in ’23.
A formidable line-up coached by Allira Holmes and Gabe Richards goes into this Saturday’s ninth round on a 7-0 record and on top of the ladder.
The Bloods are likely to add to their winning stretch when they play North Bendigo at Elmore.
A long-time power across many grades in the Heathcote DFNL, White Hills is second in this season’s premiership race.
The Lauren Bowles-coached Demons were runner-up to Elmore last season.
Sole defeat for White Hills in this year’s campaign was at Elmore in round four.
On that occasion the Bloods won a great contest, 62-56.
The Demons have the scoring power to trouble Elmore, but it’s in defence where White Hills faces a huge challenge against the reigning champions.
Colbinabbin has put another great season to be in third place nearing the halfway mark of the home-and-away series.
The Jen McIntyre-coached Grasshoppers are third and will have taken plenty of confidence from a 56-61 loss on Elmore’s court in round two.
Huge test for Colbinabbin this Saturday as it travels to Winslow Constructors Oval in Scott Street, White Hills to face the Demons.
Mount Pleasant has worked hard to be in fourth place and likely to feature in another finals series.
A high for the Carine Comer-coached Blues was the hard-fought win against Heathcote at Toolleen in round six.
Mounts plays at Lockington this Saturday after an extended break.
From a win-loss tally of 1-4, Heathcote has fought back to win its next two games and grab the fifth rung on the ladder.
Jointly coached by Brooke Bolton and Kelsey Hayes, Heathcote played brilliantly to win on North Bendigo’s court by 14 goals before the general bye.
The Saints will be determined to keep the winning run rolling when they play Huntly at Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve this Saturday.
A 14-goal loss at home at Hibo Hotel in Atkins Street last round sent North Bendigo out of the five.
The Shellie Davies-coached North Bendigo completes the first half of the season by playing at Elmore this Saturday.
Massive challenge for the red, white and blue against the red-hot Bloods.
Although the finals aspirations of Huntly, Leitchville Gunbower and Lockington Bamawm United are slim there is still plenty to play for.
The Hawks, Bombers and Cats can all play a part in the make-up of the five by marking an upset win or two in the run to the finals which begin in late August.
Elmore, 7-0, 182%, 28 points, 1st.
So far – d Huntly 74-34, d Colbinabbin 61-56, d Leitchville Gunbower 97-28, d White Hills 62-56, d Heathcote 62-44, bye, d Mount Pleasant 55-36, d Lockington Bamawm United 88-18.
Run home – v North Bendigo, h; v Huntly, h; v Colbinabbin, a; v Leitchville Gunbower, h; v White Hills, a; v Heathcote, h; bye; v Mount Pleasant, a; v Lockington Bamawm United, h; v North Bendigo, a.
White Hills, 6-1, 209%, 24 points, 2nd.
So far – d Leitchville Gunbower 88-21, bye, d Heathcote 68-23, lt Elmore 56-62, d Mount Pleasant 52-35, d Lockington Bamawm United 81-23, d North Bendigo 92-33, d Huntly 55-38.
Run home – v Colbinabbin, h; v Leitchville Gunbower, h; bye; v Heathcote, a; v Elmore, h; v Mount Pleasant, a; v Lockington Bamawm United, h; v North Bendigo, a; v Huntly, h; v Colbinabbin, a.
Colbinabbin, 6-1, 160%, 24 points, 3rd.
So far – d Heathcote 56-41, lt Elmore 56-61, d Mount Pleasant 71-35, d Lockington Bamawm United 79-30, d North Bendigo 60-32, d Huntly 62-45, bye, d Leitchville Gunbower 70-38.
Run home – v White Hills, a; v Heathcote, a; v Elmore, h; v Mount Pleasant, a; v Lockington Bamawm United, h; v North Bendigo, a; v Huntly, h; bye; v Leitchville Gunbower, a; v White Hills h.
Mount Pleasant, 4-3, 88%, 16 points, 4th.
So far – d North Bendigo 41-31, d Huntly 47-37, lt Colbinabbin 35-71, d Leitchville Gunbower 57-38, lt White Hills 35-52, d Heathcote 38-37, lt Elmore 36-55, bye.
Run home – v Lockington Bamawm United, a; v North Bendigo, h; v Huntly, a; v Colbinabbin, h; v Leitchville Gunbower, a; v White Hills, h; v Heathcote, a; v Elmore, h; bye; v Lockington Bamawm United, h.
Heathcote, 3-4, 99%, 12 points, 5th.
So far – lt Colbinabbin 41-56, d Leitchville Gunbower 56-35, lt White Hills 23-68, bye, lt Elmore 44-62, lt Mount Pleasant 37-38, d Lockington Bamawm United 74-31, d North Bendigo 49-35.
Run home – v Huntly, h; v Colbinabbin, h; v Leitchville Gunbower, a; v White Hills, h; bye; v Elmore, a; v Mount Pleasant, h; v Lockington Bamawm United, a; v North Bendigo, h; v Huntly, a.
North Bendigo, 3-4, 76%, 12 points, 6th.
So far – lt Mount Pleasant 31-41, d Lockington Bamawm United 46-36, bye, d Huntly 44-42, lt Colbinabbin 32-60, d Leitchville Gunbower 43-26, lt White Hills 33-92, d Heathcote 98-81.
Run home – v Elmore, away; v Mount Pleasant, a; v Lockington Bamawm United, a; bye; v Huntly, a; v Colbinabbin; home; v Leitchville Gunbower, a; v White Hills, h; v Heathcote, a; v Elmore, h.
Huntly, 1-6, 77%, 4 points, 7th.
So far – lt Elmore 34-74, lt Mount Pleasant 37-47, d Lockington Bamawm United 54-42, lt North Bendigo 42-44, bye, lt Colbinabbin 45-62, lt Leitchville Gunbower 32-38, lt White Hills 38-55.
Run home – v Heathcote, a; v Elmore, a; v Mount Pleasant, h; v Lockington Bamawm United, a; v North Bendigo, h; bye; v Colbinabbin, a; v Leitchville Gunbower, h; v White Hills, a; v Heathcote, h.
Leitchville Gunbower, 1-7, 53%, 4 points, 8th.
So far – lt White Hills 21-88, lt Heathcote 35-56, lt Elmore 28-97, lt Mount Pleasant 38-57, lt Lockington Bamawm United 41-54, lt North Bendigo 26-43, d Huntly 38-32, lt Colbinabbin 38-70.
Run home – bye; v White Hills, a; v Heathcote at Gunbower; v Elmore, a; v Mount Pleasant, h; v Lockington Bamawm United, a; v North Bendigo, h; v Huntly, a; v Colbinabbin, h; bye.
Lockington Bamawm United, 1-6, 50%, 4 points, 9th.
So far – bye, lt North Bendigo 36-46, lt Huntly 42-54, lt Colbinabbin 30-79, d Leitchville Gunbower 54-41, lt White Hills 23-81, lt Heathcote 31-74, lt Elmore 18-88.
Run home – v Mount Pleasant, h; bye; v North Bendigo, h; v Huntly, h; v Colbinabbin, a; v Leitchville Gunbower, h; v White Hills, a; v Heathcote, h; v Elmore, a; v Mount Pleasant, a.