NORTH Bendigo is bracing for the prospect of a Heathcote District league finals campaign without two of its key players, including its captain.

Bulldogs skipper Jarrod Findlay (shoulder) – the reigning Cheatley medallist – and Lachlan Ford (foot) were both injured during North Bendigo’s round 18 win over Colbinabbin last Saturday.

“We’re pretty up front about it… they both aren’t looking good and are probably both done for the year,” North Bendigo coach Matt Dillon said on Wednesday.

“We haven’t 100 per cent ruled them out, but they are both significant injuries.

“There looks to be a bit of a break in Lachie’s foot and at this stage all we know is he has been given a diagnosis of quite a few weeks.

“Jarrod’s shoulder is still a bit of an unknown, but he has been very sore with it this week and struggling to move it, so it’s going to be a case over the next week or two of seeing how it settles down.

“We’ll try to keep it positive with the two in that you never know what can happen… they will do everything they can to get back, but we won’t take any risks if they could damage themselves down the track.”

Findlay has had another brilliant season through the midfield for the Bulldogs and with 24 is one of seven North Bendigo players with more than 20 goals for the year, while Ford has played a pivotal role across half-back, particularly with his intercept marking.

The Bulldogs have the first week of the finals off courtesy of their top-of-the-ladder finish.

Having been 1-2 after three games the Bulldogs will ride a 13-game winning streak into the finals series.

The finals begin this Saturday when reigning premier Leitchville-Gunbower takes on Huntly in the qualifying final at Heathcote.

On Sunday at White Hills Colbinabbin and Lockington-Bamawm United will be fighting for survival in the elimination final.

The Grasshoppers are expected to welcome back coach Nick Knight from a groin complaint and ruckman Hadleigh Sirett after missing last week with a knee, but their leading goalkicker Ryan Hon (shoulder) will again be sidelined.

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