HUNTLY showed why it was one of the most-hyped teams of the pre-season in the Heathcote District league on Saturday when it defeated rivals North Bendigo by 17 points.
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The Hawks improved to 3-0 and regained the Golden City Cup with a 16.9 (105) to 13.10 (88) win at home over the Bulldogs.
Huntly set its win up with a strong first half, establishing a 22-point quarter-time lead, before increasing its advantage to 39 points at the main break, 10.3 to 3.6, as the Hawks made more of their scoring opportunities than the Bulldogs.
“It was one of those games that was contested ball at its best all game, but I felt our ball-use on occasions may have been a little better, particularly early in the game,” Huntly coach Denis Grinton said.
“They came back at us in the third quarter and got back within three goals, but we were able to steady and it’s obviously really positive to get a win against a quality opponent in North.”
One of the most pleasing aspects of the win for Grinton against Huntly’s preliminary final conqueror of the past two years was the Hawks’ spread of 11 goalkickers, which included Harry Whittle and Luke Mann slotting three each.
Stacy Fiske off half-back was named the best for the Hawks.
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“Stacy played a really vital role for us across half-back. His pressure when the ball went in North’s forward line was outstanding… he ended up with about 17 tackles for the day, which was enormous,” Grinton said.
Centre half-back Josh Dickerson, who was opposed to Darcy Richards, Mac Whittle and ruckman Rhett Sutton were also among the Hawks’ leading players.
North Bendigo is now 1-2, having fallen short against the Hawks and Leitchville-Gunbower in its first two major tests of the season.
“We were terrible in the first half… our attitude wasn’t there and our disposal and smarts around the footy was non-existent,” Bulldogs coach Matt Dillon said.
“In saying that, Huntly was charged up and ready to go and showed they are a very good side.
“We played a lot better footy after half-time, but you can’t give a side like Huntly the start we did.”
Sean Morris (four goals), reigning Cheatley medallist Jarrod Findlay (three goals) and ruckman Troy Kelm all played fine games for the Bulldogs to be their three best.
• Mount Pleasant won its first game since May of last year with a 15-point victory over Elmore.
With both teams chasing their first victories of the season it was the Blues who came out on top, 9.16 (70) to 8.7 (55) at Toolleen.
“I thought we dominated periods today through our pressure and tackling, but we didn’t capitalise in front of goal,” Blues coach Darren Walsh said.
“I expect much better in terms of our efficiency, but the things I wanted out of today in terms of tackles, shepherds, blocks and so forth, I got that, so that was pleasing.”
The Blues’ return of 9.16 featured star forward Ben Weightman kicking 2.6, which included hitting the post three times.
Young ruckman Mitch Bennett, veteran Chris Black out of retirement and back in defence and Nick Edwards led the best players for the Blues in what was their first win since they beat the Bloods by 21 points on May 6 last year.
Coach Danny Brewster, who was opposed by Dale Young, kicked three of Elmore’s eight goals.
Better players for the Bloods featured Nathan Brewster, Matt Gilmour and recruit Zac Laffy.
• Leitchville-Gunbower held Heathcote to just one goal in a 176-point thrashing of the Saints.
The reigning premier Bombers lifted their percentage above 400 with the 28.17 (185) to 1.3 (9) shellacking at Leitchville.
Star forward Matt Perri feasted on the Bombers’ dominance. After he was off-target early with one goal from his first five shots, Perri finished with 11 – the sixth time he has kicked a double-figure haul since joining Leitchville-Gunbower in 2015.
“He had a fantastic day for us. As far as we’re concerned he’s getting the best delivery into the forward line, which is something we really pride ourselves on,” Bombers coach Michael Pilcher said.
“He had 17 scoring shots today, but credit where it’s due – he is incredibly athletic and pacy and a few times a week he’s able to get goals from areas where you just don’t expect it too happen.”
As well as Perri’s 11 majors, the Bombers also had Jake Vandongen slot five.
The Bombers led by 37 points at quarter-time, 70 at half-time and 129 at three quarter-time before the final margin of 176, which followed on from the previous week’s 110-point belting of Elmore.
“All the players contributed really well across the ground today over the four quarters,” Pilcher said.
“After three games now we’re finding our structures and playing to what we know works.”
Perri, youngster Mitch McEwen who was used forward, back and midfield, and the classy Tim Lincoln on a wing and rebounding from half-back were the three standouts in the Bombers’ rout.
The under-manned Heathcote’s only goal of the game was kicked in the second quarter by Jack Brooks.
“Leitchy was phenomenal today. They ran hard, were strong over the ball and outclassed us in every facet of the game,” Saints coach Luke Bell.
“I thought our boys cracked in, but they just had too much class for us.
“Leitchy’s ground is 20 or 30 metres longer and wider than Heathcote’s and they know how to play it. We’re used to running our gamestyle on a smaller ground, and with five or six senior players out against the reigning premiers, that’s what showed today.”
Heathcote’s score of 1.3 came a week after kicking just 2.5 against Colbinabbin in round two.
Marc Millard, Ben Connelly and Nathan Bake battled hard for the Saints.
• Lockington-Bamawm United improved to 2-1 with a 63-point victory over White Hills.
The Cats squandered the chance for a bigger win with their inaccuracy in front of goal as they had 37 scoring shots to 14 in their 14.23 (107) to 6.8 (44) win at White Hills.
“We didn’t play our best footy today, but were able to get the win,” said Cats coach Kahl Oliver, who pulled the boot back on and kicked one goal.
“We missed a lot of chances and hit the post probably four or five times for the day and made some simple mistakes, but it was pleasing to get as many shots as we did.”
The returning Jarrod Bacon kicked his second haul of five goals for the season for the Cats, whose top players were led by centre half-back Tom Leech, who is making the transition from soccer, captain Liam Main in the ruck and youngster Charles Hinks across half-forward.
The Demons, now 0-2, kicked three goals in the first half and three in the second.
Mitchell Curtis, Anthony Bigham and Jasper Ibbeson-Coatsworth (two goals) were their best.