RELATED – WEEKEND FOOTBALL TEAMS

AFTER a case of so close, yet so far last week, North Bendigo gets its second opportunity at qualifying for another Heathcote District league grand final on Saturday.

North Bendigo suffered a four-point loss to Leitchville-Gunbower in last weekend’s second semi-final in a game that wasn’t decided until the Bulldogs’ Darcy Richards – who had been instrumental in getting his side back into the contest in the second half – missed a set-shot after the siren.

The Bulldogs now have to beat Colbinabbin in Saturday’s preliminary final at Toolleen if they are to book a berth in what would be their fifth-consecutive grand final and another showdown with their arch-rival Bombers.

“As disappointing as it was last week, we obviously had to move on quickly to Colbinabbin, which is a well-drilled side that moves the ball well and has been playing some good football,” Bulldogs coach Matt Dillon said on Friday.

“We know there’s a massive job ahead of us on Saturday and that we will have to be at our best to beat them.”

The Bulldogs are no stranger to the preliminary final given it’s the route they have taken into the grand final the past three years.

Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.