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• HEATHCOTE DISTRICT LEAGUE – ROUND 13
LEITCHVILLE-GUNBOWER v COLBINABBIN
2.15pm Saturday at Gunbower.
Match of the round between first and third, with both the Bombers and Grasshoppers having lost just two games each.
One of the Bombers’ defeats was a 24-point loss to the Grasshoppers in round four that they will be keen to atone for back on their home deck at Gunbower.
The Bombers’ forward trio of Matt Perri, Jake Vandongen and Daniel Coates, who have combined for 104 goals, were held to just three that day by the Grasshoppers and shutting them down again will go a long way towards Colbinabbin getting the job done.
Vandongen in particular has been in top form of late, having slotted 29 of his 41 goals for the season over the past five weeks.
Last time: Colbinabbin 14.13 (97) d Leitchville-Gunbower 10.13 (73).
Head to Head: Leitchville-Gunbower 11; Colbinabbin 8.
…………………………………
HUNTLY v ELMORE
2.15pm Saturday at Huntly.
The young Bloods can expect to be met with what should be a seething Hawks, who have lost their past two games.
From sitting a game clear at the top of the ladder, the Hawks are back in the pack in fourth position as a consequence of losses to North Bendigo (34 points) and LBU (29).
Coach Denis Grinton will no doubt be looking for a fierce response from his side on its home ground.
Despite the best efforts of the likes of Ben Makepeace, Matt Gilmour and Nick Kellow, the season continues to be a struggle for the Bloods, who are now 0-11.
Last time: Huntly 18.28 (136) d Elmore 4.4 (28).
Since 1995: Elmore 30; Huntly 20.
…………………………………
WHITE HILLS v NORTH BENDIGO
2.15pm Saturday at White Hills.
Momentum is firmly with the Bulldogs, who have strung together eight wins in a row – a streak that started with a 55-point victory over White Hills.
The big question asked of the Bulldogs pre-season was how would they cope with the loss of their three leading goalkickers of last year in Brady Herdman, Sam Barnes and Rhys Ford?
The answer so far has been by sharing the load, with Tyson Findlay (34), Sean Morris (27), ex-White Hills forward Sean Christopher (27), Darcy Richards (23) and Jeremy Mills (22) all having kicked at least 20.
With six defeats in a row, the young Demons are on their longest losing streak since 2010 and it doesn’t get any easier on Saturday.
Last time: North Bendigo 21.17 (143) d White Hills 13.10 (88).
Head to Head: North Bendigo 33; White Hills 18.
…………………………………
MOUNT PLEASANT v HEATHCOTE
2.15pm Saturday at Toolleen.
Two traditional rivals go head-to-head at Toolleen.
The Blues will be aiming to pick up from where they left off last week when they belted Elmore by 98 points, winning all four quarters for the first time in their past 42 games.
The Saints have lost their past two games against flag contenders Leitchville-Gunbower and Colbinabbin. They brought plenty of effort against the Bombers last week and if they do so again on Saturday should take it right up to the Blues.
Last time: Mount Pleasant 14.14 (98) d Heathcote 11.10 (76).
Since 1995: Mount Pleasant 34; Heathcote 15; Drawn 1.
…………………………………
SELECTIONS:
ADAM BOURKE (43) - Leitchville-Gunbower, Huntly, North Bendigo, Mount Pleasant.
LUKE WEST (43) - Leitchville-Gunbower, Huntly, North Bendigo, Mount Pleasant.
KIERAN ILES (39) - Colbinabbin, Huntly, North Bendigo, Mount Pleasant.
WILLIAM VALLELY (39) - Leitchville-Gunbower, Huntly, North Bendigo, Mount Pleasant.
…………………………………
LADDER
Leitchville-Gunbower – 9-2
North Bendigo – 9-2
Colbinabbin – 8-2
Huntly – 8-3
LBU – 7-4
Mount Pleasant – 4-7
Heathcote – 2-8
White Hills – 1-9
Elmore – 0-11
…………………………………
• LODDON VALLEY LEAGUE – ROUND 12
CALIVIL UNITED v INGLEWOOD
2.15pm Saturday at Calivil.
It was the upset of the season back in round three when the Blues toppled the Demons by five points – their first win over Calivil United since 2002.
However, the Blues are 0-7 since that breakthrough win, although there have been some encouraging signs in their past three games, such as leading Mitiamo at three quarter-time and outscoring Bridgewater in the second half last week.
Led by captain Chris Down in the ruck, the reigning premier Demons are building momentum on the back of three wins in a row and for the first time this season are in the top three and lurking ominously.
Last time: Inglewood 14.14 (98) d Calivil United 14.9 (93).
Since 1995: Calivil United 41; Inglewood 8.
…………………………………
NEWBRIDGE v BL-SERPENTINE
2.15pm Saturday at Newbridge.
Should be a cracker of a contest between two teams in the top five and in good form.
The second-placed Maroons have had the chance to re-focus following the bye last week, while the Bears have won five of their past six to fight their way back into the top five.
The Bears’ last-quarter burst of 12 goals to one against Pyramid Hill last week was a reminder to their rivals of the scintillating football they are capable of.
Last time: Newbridge 13.18 (96) d BL-Serpentine 11.12 (78).
Since 1995: Newbridge 25; BL-Serpentine 25.
…………………………………
MAIDEN GULLY YCW v MITIAMO
2.15pm Saturday at Maiden Gully.
The Eagles continue to answer their challenges – a 119-point victory over Marong last week propelling the competition’s big improvers back to the top of the ladder with an 8-2 record that has been built on an even spread of contributors.
While the Eagles are flying and well on track to play finals for the first time since 2011, the Superoos have dropped out of the top five.
It’s said bad kicking is bad footy and for six games in a row the Superoos have kicked more behinds than goals, with their inaccuracy costing them last week against Calivil United when beaten, despite having one more scoring shot.
Last time: Maiden Gully YCW 13.6 (84) d Mitiamo 8.13 (61).
Since 1995: Mitiamo 32; Maiden Gully YCW 24.
…………………………………
PYRAMID HILL v MARONG
2.15pm Saturday at Pyramid Hill.
Two teams that will be hungry for a confidence-boosting win.
The Bulldogs desperately need to steady their season, having lost their past four games in which they have slid from a game clear at the top of the ladder to now only one game inside the top five.
The Panthers will be determined to return to their competitive ways of the first half of the season having lost back-to-back games by 119 and 110 points to Maiden Gully YCW and Calivil United.
Last time: Pyramid Hill 12.12 (84) d Marong 11.9 (75).
Since 1995: Pyramid Hill 38; Marong 13.
…………………………………
SELECTIONS:
WILLIAM VALLELY (27) - Calivil United, Newbridge, Maiden Gully YCW, Pyramid Hill.
LUKE WEST (27) - Calivil United, Newbridge, Maiden Gully YCW, Pyramid Hill.
ADAM BOURKE (27) - Calivil United, Newbridge, Mitiamo, Pyramid Hill.
KIERAN ILES (25) - Calivil United, BL-Serpentine, Maiden Gully YCW, Pyramid Hill.
…………………………………
LADDER
Maiden Gully YCW – 8-2
Newbridge – 7-2
Calivil United – 6-4
Pyramid Hill – 6-4
BL-Serpentine – 5-5
Mitiamo – 5-5
Bridgewater – 4-6
Marong – 2-8
Inglewood – 1-8
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