FULL COVERAGE: HDFNL grand final 2016
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NORTH Bendigo is celebrating back-to-back flags in the Heathcote District Football Netball-League after again proving too strong for Leitchville-Gunbower on Saturday.
In what was another entertaining grand final with less than a kick in it halfway through the last quarter, the Bulldogs held firm against the surging Bombers to win 14.18 (102) to 13.4 (82) at Huntly.
The Bulldogs’ flag came 12 months after they ended a 38-year premiership drought against the Bombers with a 10-point win last year.
“Last year was relief, but this year is probably more reward for all the hard work that has gone in over the past three years,” North Bendigo coach Rob Bennett said.
“It’s great reward for all the players who have put in the hard work, and for all the people off the ground as well.”
The Bulldogs’ win was spearheaded by a seven-goal bag from star full-forward Sam Barnes, who was duly rewarded with the AFL Victoria Country Medal.
Barnes kicked five goals in the first half, while fittingly, his seventh at the 23-minute mark of the final quarter proved the sealer.
“We worked hard today and got the reward, so it’s very satisfying,” Barnes said.
“You always want to put your best foot forward in finals, so it was good to do that today.”
Barnes’ seven goals followed his haul of 10 in the preliminary final the previous week.
For Leitchville-Gunbower it was another heartbreaking end to the season.
The Bombers have finished on top of the ladder each of the past two seasons, during which they’ve had a win-loss record of 31-5, but two of those five defeats have been in grand finals.
Meanwhile, there were also back-to-back premiers in the A-grade netball as Colbinabbin belted White Hills in a one-sided match.
The Grasshoppers won 57-39, turning the tables on the Demons, who they had lost to in all three previous meetings this year.
Colbinabbin shooter Louise Dupuy was best on court
