HUNTLY will confront its bogey team of not only this year, but the past three seasons when it kicks off the Heathcote District league finals series against Leitchville-Gunbower on Saturday.

The Hawks and Bombers will meet in the qualifying final at Heathcote.

The Bombers are the only team the Hawks haven’t beaten this year and are an opponent that have caused Huntly plenty of headaches in recent seasons, having won the past nine meetings between the two sides – all by at least 29 points.

The Hawks have done little wrong this season as a 10-4 record will attest, but as yet haven’t been able to find a way to break the Bombers’ stranglehold, with their latest match-up three weeks ago when Leitchville-Gunbower dished out a 52-point hiding.

“Leitchy has been a quality team for a number of years now. They don’t turn the ball over a lot, so we’ll have to make sure our defensive game will be up to scratch and we take the opportunities when they present for us,” Huntly coach Denis Grinton said on Friday.

The Hawks named a host of key inclusions into their team on Thursday night.

“We’re getting a few back this week… Jack Daley, Jaydon Cowling, Ross Culvenor, Braidy Dickens and Matt Jeffries will be back, so that’s really positive,” Grinton said.

“It’s finals footy and it’s a big occasion; they’ve got some great players, we’ve got some great players and it’s going to be whichever team handles the pressure better is going to win the game.”

The Hawks have had a fortnight to hone in on the qualifying final after having the bye in last week’s final round.

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The slick Bombers, who will carry in the momentum of seven-consecutive wins, will have pacy 2017 premiership player Mitch Bruns as an inclusion, while Matthew Hay is also likely to line-up.

“Traditionally we haven’t played great football on the Heathcote ground, but at the same time we match-up well against Huntly and we’ll go in confident in our ability to get the job done,” Bombers coach Michael Pilcher said.

“The game is usually won in the middle and if you can get on top of the likes of Ryan Semmel, Harry Whittle and Jack Daley you will give yourself every chance.

“It’s crucial we win the midfield battle and that’s going to be a big focus of ours.”

The midfield duel will be vital given both sides possess plenty of attacking options, the Bombers in particular with the trio of Matt Perri (68), Jake Vandongen (50) and Daniel Coates (34), who have combined for 152 goals.

• Season meetings:

Rd 7 – Leitchville-Gunbower 19.12 (126) d Huntly 15.4 (94).

Rd 16 – Leitchville-Gunbower 18.14 (122) d Huntly 10.10 (70).

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