NORTH Bendigo coach Rob Bennett describes the growing rivalry with Leitchville-Gunbower as one of mutual respect as the two teams prepare to lock horns again in the Heathcote District league on Saturday.
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The Bulldogs and Bombers have met in the past two grand finals – both won by North Bendigo – and while the season is still yet to reach its halfway mark, they look on a collision course for another September showdown.
Heading into their keenly-anticipated clash at North Bendigo, both teams have already clearly established themselves as well ahead of the chasing pack.
They are both 5-0 with percentages above 300 – the Bulldogs are 355.9, the Bombers are 303.0 – and have won their combined 10 games by a total of 1048 points.
“We obviously see this as a really important game. We’ve been going along OK so far this year and this game against Leitchville will give us a good indication of where we’re at,” said Bennett, who has a 55-8 coaching record with the Bulldogs.
“I spoke to all the players individually on Tuesday and we spoke as a group last night and they are all really looking forward to the game.
“There’s a mutual respect between the two clubs. We like the way Leitchville plays its football and how they go about it as a club.
“It’s a healthy rivalry between the two clubs.”
As well as playing in the past two grand finals, the rivalry had another layer added to it during the off-season when Joel Helman switched clubs from Leitchville-Gunbower to North Bendigo.
It was a move Bombers coach Matt Hawken described at the time as a “kick in the guts”.
“Joel has been sensational around the club and the playing group has really welcomed him,” Bennett said.
“He’s part of us now and I’m sure he will play well on Saturday.”
The match starts at 2.15pm.
• How they compare:
North Bendigo:
Record – 5-0
Percentage – 355.9
Average for – 161
Average against – 45
Quarters won – 18/20
First halves – +204
Second halves – +377
Leitchville-Gunbower:
Record – 5-0
Percentage – 303.0
Average for – 139
Average against – 46
Quarters won – 18/20
First halves – +257
Second halves – +210
………………………..
• Saturday’s games – North Bendigo v Leitchville-Gunbower, Heathcote v Elmore, Huntly v Mount Pleasant, White Hills v Colbinabbin. LBU bye.