NORTH BENDIGO V LOCKINGTON-BAMAWM UNITED
NORTH Bendigo’s winning streak in the Heathcote District league has extended to double figures as the Bulldogs claimed top spot on the ladder on Saturday.
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The Bulldogs’ 18.14 (122) to 8.10 (58) win over Lockington-Bamawm United at Atkins Street was their 10th on the trot and propelled them into pole position in place of Leitchville-Gunbower, which had the bye.
The Bulldogs grabbed control of the contest with a burst of five quick goals in succession late in the second term helping to turn a one-point deficit at quarter-time into a commanding 43-point advantage by the long break.
“We were a bit off early and just allowed Locky too much space in the first quarter,” North Bendigo coach Matt Dillon said.
“We stressed at quarter-time for the players to get back to playing one-on-one pressure footy, which we did in the second quarter.
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“We gave up a lot of easy footy early and weren’t using it the way we wanted to, but from quarter-time onwards we played well and were able to control the game.”
Lachlan Ford in his return to the side was superb with his intercept marking across half-back for the Bulldogs, while Aarryn Craig, Jeremy Mills (two goals) and Ben Knight also played well.
Tyson Findlay and key forward Sean Christopher kicked three goals apiece for the Bulldogs, who moved a step closer to securing a double chance for the sixth year in a row.
The Bulldogs’ tally of 122 was the eighth time during their 10-game winning run they’ve kicked a score above 100.
Following their promising start in the opening term, the Cats, who were without skipper Liam Main, were outscored 15 goals to five after quarter-time.
“We played some good patches of football, but they are a quality side and we saw what is probably the best team in the competition can do to you on their home deck,” Cats coach Kahl Oliver said.
Jarod Bacon kicked four of the eight goals for the Cats, who named ruckman Tyler Phillips their best player.
COLBINABBIN V MOUNT PLEASANT
Colbinabbin defeated Mount Pleasant by 61 points following a first-half scare from the Blues.
An upset shaped as a possibility when the Blues led by 16 points, 7.7 to 5.3, at half-time.
But similarly to their game against Leitchville-Gunbower in round six when they had been in front at half-time before dropping away, the Blues were outscored 14 goals to two in the second half to go down 19.10 (124) to 9.9 (63) at Colbinabbin.
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“We were first in for the ball in the first half, were able to generate some run and our pressure was probably the best it has been since that Leitchville game earlier in the year,” Blues coach Darren Walsh said.
“In the second half Colbo matched our intensity and were able to get on top of us with their outside run, which we tried to limit.
“In the end they were just too strong with their runners.”
Following a half-time spray from coach Nick Knight, the Grasshoppers responded by kicking 7.3 to 2.0 in the third term.
“Mounts came out really fired up, just like they did against us earlier in the year, and took it right up to us,” Colbinabbin assistant coach Tim O’Dwyer said.
“It took a few home truths at half-time for us to play some good footy in the second half.
“Our midfield got on top in the second half and we were able to give our forwards a lot more opportunities.”
Having spent the majority of the season in defence, Damien Carmody was moved back to the forward line and booted five goals for the Grasshoppers, whose best was key midfielder Mitch Bright, who continues to put together a superb first season at the club.
The Grasshoppers also had Ryan Hon slot four goals.
Key defenders Chris Black, who played on Elliot Bowen (two goals), and Dale Young, who had the job on Hon, were named best for the Blues, while second-gamer William Pollard on the wing and in defence was one of the side’s shining lights.
HEATHCOTE V HUNTLY
Huntly continued its dominance over Heathcote, but has more injury concerns following its 55-point victory.
The Hawks maintained their position in the top three with their 18.15 (123) to 10.8 (68) victory at Heathcote, but sustained injuries to star midfielder Doug Thomas (Achilles), Braidy Dickens (hamstring) and key forward Chris Gleeson (hamstring).
The Saints – wearing their purple jumpers as part of the Georgia Edsall-French Memorial Game – served it up to the Hawks to be within 15 points at half-time.
However, the Hawks, who wore purple wrist bands, put their foot down after the main break with 11 goals to six in what was their 14th win in a row against the Saints.
“Heathcote played really well in the first half, particularly around the stoppages, but we were able to shut that down in the third quarter and break away,” Huntly coach Denis Grinton said.
The Hawks, who were best served by on-baller Jack Daley, featured two youngsters in Bryn Burke and Harrison Campbell doubling up from the under-17s earlier in the day.
The experienced Reece Carmichael was the sole multiple goalkicker for the Saints with three, while their best player was midfielder Darcy McLean, who has been their most consistent player this season.
ELMORE V WHITE HILLS
White Hills notched its second victory of the season, while keeping Elmore winless.
In what was a clash of the two bottom teams, the Demons were comfortable 71-point victors, 18.18 (126) to 8.7 (55), at Elmore.
“We had a really even spread of contributors right across the board,” Demons coach Brent Millar said.
“We set a number of our players jobs, such as James Avery to take care of James Harney and he did a fantastic job. And Kris Bedford was outstanding with his contested marking up forward.
“We were really consistent across the four quarters today, which was pleasing.”
Ten White Hills players kicked goals,including Jordan Waldron, Ryley Dickens, Bedford, Matthew Roberts and Jasper Ibbeson-Coatsworth, who all slotted two.
The Demons won all four quarters and kicked their first score above 100 for the season and will now strive for two wins in a row against Heathcote at home next week.
“We had a real focus on trying to assert ourselves on the contest early and that with Elmore being a young team they may drop off,” Millar said.
“The boys got a good start, executed well and had a good win… it was nice to have one of the days where everything goes right.”
Coach Danny Brewster, Nick Kellow and James Harney kicked two goals each for the Bloods, who named Tyler Oliver and Matt Gilmour their two best players.