COLBINABBIN is headed for a Heathcote District Football League double chance after beating Huntly by 36 points on Saturday.

The Grasshoppers’ 13.16 (94) to 9.4 (58) victory at M.J. Morgan Oval was book-ended by strong first and last quarters.

Of the 13 goals the Grasshoppers kicked, they booted 12 in the first and last quarters – six in each.

With two rounds remaining, Colbinabbin is now four points, plus 57 per cent clear of fourth-placed Huntly, and also has a game in hand on the Hawks.

The Grasshoppers raced out of the blocks to lead by 34 points at quarter-time, 6.4 to 1.0.

“The first quarter was probably as good as we’ve played all year,” Colbinabbin coach Phil Morgan said.

“We let them back in the game and it was in the balance at three quarter-time, but we were happy with the way we finished off.

“The boys have been working hard on the track and it showed out in the last quarter.”

After being jumped in the first quarter, the Hawks hit back in the middle two terms, outscoring the Grasshoppers six goals to one to pull the margin back to nine points at the last change.

However, the Grasshoppers regained the ascendancy with a 6.4 to 2.1 final term to secure the four points and gain some revenge on the Hawks for their earlier loss to Huntly in round seven.

The win was Colbinabbin’s seventh in its past eight games, with the Grasshoppers now 10-4 having earlier been 3-3.

Colbinabbin’s Grant Weeks took his season tally to 84 goals with his haul of six to be one of the Grasshoppers’ best.

The Grasshoppers also had good players in backman Chris Guinane, Shane Murdoch (two goals) and onballers Russell Douglas and Sam Vale (two goals).

Huntly’s cause wasn’t helped by injuries, among those being hurt Adrian McErvale (calf) and Lachlan O’Toole (corked hip)

“We let them get off to a flyer, and we managed to pull it back, but we didn’t have a bench after half-time and that hurt us,” Huntly coach Jamie Hogan said.

“It was disappointing to lose, but I was pleased that the boys didn’t just roll over.”

Huntly’s best player was consistent onballer Ryan Semmel, who was instrumental in getting the Hawks back into the contest after their slow start.

Also playing well for the Hawks was Stacy Fiske off half-back, ruckman Jamie Garner, small defender Josh Harris and Ryley Dickens (two goals).

The loss now leaves Huntly on the path to an elimination final against White Hills.

The Hawks have the bye next week before rounding out their home and away season against Elmore.

White Hills 18.13 (121) d Mount Pleasant 6.8 (44).

A FAST start set up White Hills’ 77-point victory over Mount Pleasant in their clash at Toolleen.

The Demons kicked six goals to one in the first quarter on the way to a 18.13 (121) to 6.8 (44) win – their eighth of the season.

“I thought today we played as good team footy as we have for a while, particularly the first and the last quarters,” White Hills coach Shaun Makepeace said.

“We kept grinding away all day and had a good win, so it was pleasing.”

As well as kicking six goals in the first quarter, the Demons also finished with six in the last.

The best player for the Demons was Caillum Brady, who kicked three goals.

“He was lively for us across half-forward, took some critical marks and kicked some nice goals,” Makepeace said.

Gavin Bowles also kicked three goals for the Demons, while team-mate Matt Sawyer was the leading goalkicker on the ground with five.

Defenders Rhys Irwin and David Hickman, who played on Shannon Milward, were also among the better players for the Demons, who for the first time since 2004 have beaten Mount Pleasant twice in the home and away season.

Matthew Filo continued his strong season to be the Blues’ best player, with other good players including Jason Shaw, Simon Seddon (two goals), Joseph Whiting and James Walsh.

The Blues are now 4-11.

Elmore 17.14 (116) d LBU 10.7 (67).

ELMORE beat Lockington-Bamawm United for the first time since 2010 with its 49-point victory.

The Bloods had lost their previous 11 games against the Cats by an average of 68 points, but proved too good this time, winning 17.14 (116) to 10.7 (67) at Norlec Oval to notch their fourth victory of the season.

“It’s pleasing to get the first win for a long time against Lockington. The boys cracked in all day, we didn’t have a bench after half-time and the boys really fought it out well,” Elmore coach Stephen Arthur said.

Among the injuries to the Bloods was Andrew Smith suffering broken ribs.

The Bloods led at every change and kicked away during the second and third quarters when they added eight goals to three.

The best for the Bloods featured Anthony Bonnaddio, Riley Hird (three goals) and Spike Ingley, who had the job of running with the Cats’ David Clarke. As well as Hird, James Harney, Troy Banfield and Danny Brewster also kicked three goals.

Greg Carne, Jacob Gardiner, Carl O’Brien and first-gamer Mitchell Frew played well for the Cats, who with seven defeats in a row are on their longest HDFL losing streak.

Leitchville-Gunbower 20.16 (136) d Heathcote 3.3 (21).

LEITCHVILLE-GUNBOWER held Heathcote scoreless for the second half in a 115-point win over the Saints in a clash of top versus bottom.

The Bombers won 20.16 (136) to 3.3 (21) at Leitchville to remain unbeaten.

After kicking an inaccurate 2.7 in the first term, the Bombers straightened up over the last three quarters, adding 18.9.

Heathcote kicked all three of its goals in the second quarter and didn’t add to its half-time score of 3.3.

“We were really happy with our second half… we ran it out well, defended well and our midfield got right on top, which we were happy with,” Bombers coach Matt Hawken said.

Wingman Tim Lincoln again starred for the Bombers, and was also damaging inside 50, kicking five goals.

Jackson McEwen, Daniel Couwenberg, Bart Walsh and Leigh Crossman were also prominent for the ladder-leaders, while Matt Perri booted seven goals to pass the 50-mark for the season.

Heathcote’s score of 21 was the Saints’ lowest since being held to 1.9 (15) by Colbinabbin in round six, 2000.

Dylan McCutcheon, Toby Allen, Jack Paisley and Daniel Carroll led the better players for Heathcote.