The Grasshoppers led at every change in winning 16.13 (109) to 9.8 (62) in what was a game that meant much more than just four points.

“It meant a lot to the club today... one of the things I spoke to the blokes about before the game was there’s a lot of people who have come back to watch us play and may not come back again, so we need to leave a lasting memory for them that we’re still a good side and a good club,” Colbinabbin coach Phil Morgan said.

“I’d like to think we did that today. It was a good standard of footy with the ball moving up and down the ground well from both sides.”

In front of a big centenary weekend crowd at M.J. Morgan Oval, the Grasshoppers led by 23 points at half-time, before adding five goals to two in the third term to ensure Elmore wouldn’t be spoiling the celebrations.

Tom Hill in defence, half-forward Shane Murdoch, back pocket Chris Guinane and onballer Tim O’Dwyer were the pick of the players for the Grasshoppers.

Grant Weeks bagged five goals and Lochlan Sirett chipped in with three for Colbinabbin, which improved to 4-3 with the win.

James Harney (four) and Travis Mills (three) combined for seven of Elmore’s nine goals and were both in the Bloods’ best players.

Ben Makepeace, midfielder Alex Gleeson and backman Spike Ingley were also among the best for the Bloods in their third loss in a row.

Meanwhile, the Grasshoppers’ Saturday night centenary function was attended by 450 people, while at least 1000 people visited the club’s memorabilia display at the Colbinabbin Hall.

• An inaccurate Leitchville-Gunbower continued its best start to a HDFL season as it maintained its unblemished record with a 32-point victory over White Hills.

The game had been up for grabs at three quarter-time with the Bombers ahead by six points.

However, the Bombers kicked away in the final term, adding 4.9 to 1.1 to win 12.22 (94) to 9.8 (62) at Gunbower.

The consistent Jye Keath continues to impress through the middle and was the Bombers’ best.

Adam Decicco, Matthew Perri (four goals) and Jack Dye (two goals) were also prominent for the Bombers, who as well as kicking 4.9 in the last term were also off target in the second quarter when they scored 1.6.

White Hills had good players in onballers Tom Credlin and Aaron Downie (two goals), forward Sam Kerr (two goals) and David Wright, who continues to be a consistent source of rebound from half-back.

“They over-ran us in that last quarter and we were out on our feet,” White Hills coach Shaun Makepeace said.

“But we competed well for most of the day against an undefeated side, so there’s a bit we’ll take out of today.”

One of the key differences between the two sides was the Bombers’ 24-9 domination at the stoppages.

• A strong first half was the catalyst for North Bendigo’s 42-point win over Mount Pleasant at Toolleen.

There were no cobwebs for the Bulldogs in their first game in 21 days as they raced to a 50-point lead at half-time before prevailing 19.19 (133) to 14.7 (91) to remain undefeated at the top of the ladder.

“Our first half was one of the better halves of footy we’ve played for the year, but we fell away a bit in the second half,” North Bendigo co-coach Rob Bennett said.

“But overall, we were happy with how we went.

“We didn’t have any real standouts for the day... everyone just did their bit and played their role.”

In what was an even team effort from the Bulldogs, onballer Matt Hodoras was named their best player and won the Russell Roulston Cup as best on ground.

Taylor Kelly, who played with plenty of composure across half-back, Sam Barnes (six goals) and Aaryn Craig also featured among the best for the Bulldogs, who now have a keenly-anticipated clash with Leitchville-Gunbower to look forward to.

Skipper James Walsh, Joseph Whiting (two goals), Justin Kelly and Simon Seddon led the better players for the Blues. Key forward Nicholas Grigg kicked six of the Blues’ 14 goals.

• Having lost their first five games, Lockington-Bamawm United has now strung together two in a row and is back within a game of the top five.

The Cats blitzed Heathcote in the first half in their 17.11 (113) to 5.10 (40) victory at Norlec Oval.

The game was over at half-time as the Cats raced to a 65-point lead, 12.5 to 1.6.

“We were proud of our effort today, and it was another step forward,” Cats coach John Halloran said.

The Cats’ side featured the return of Simon Keleher for a one-off game in tribute to club legend Shane “Jack” O’Brien, who died last week.

And just as he had done as part of three premiership teams for the Cats, Keleher was superb off the half-back line.

As well as Keleher, the Cats also had their leaders in Matt Bongiovanni, Adrian Dohnt, Mick Dobson and Carl Treacy show the way in the 73-point victory.

“The good thing is that while they are key leaders of our footy club, they are imparting their knowledge onto our younger players each game,” Halloran said.

The Cats had six players kick two goals each - Ryan Jensen, Bongiovanni, David Clarke, Dohnt, Simon Stewart and Jesse Moran, who earned a senior call-up after booting 13 goals in the under-17s last week.

Liam Jacques (two) was the only multiple goalkicker for the Saints, who managed to outscore the Cats by one point in the final quarter.

Daniel Carroll continues to battle hard for the Saints in the centre and was again their best player.

Mitchell McLean, Darcy McLean and Lachlan Hardy were also among the best.