READ MORE - SATURDAY SCOREBOARD - May 25, 2019
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READ MORE - White v Heathcote PHOTOS
FOLLOWING four-consecutive seasons of effectively a two-horse premiership race between North Bendigo and Leitchville-Gunbower, the Heathcote District Football-Netball League finally has a wide open array of flag challengers.
North Bendigo, Colbinabbin and Lockington-Bamawm United were widely touted as three genuine contenders pre-season, which remains the case, and now Mount Pleasant can be added to that list.
The Blues became the first team for the season on Saturday to defeat Lockington-Bamawm United when they edged out the Cats by five points at home in an entertaining game played at a finals-like intensity.
As well as beating the Cats after it overcame a 15-point half-time deficit, Mount Pleasant has also claimed the scalp of North Bendigo, with the four-game winning streak the Blues are on their best since they last played finals in 2014.
The logjam of a ladder shows the Cats (5-1), North Bendigo (4-1), Colbinabbin (4-1) and Mount Pleasant (4-1) all with just one loss after six rounds.
While the Cats, Bulldogs, Grasshoppers and Blues have established themselves as the top echelon of teams, White Hills looks to be getting its season on track following its sluggish start.
The Demons moved into the top five for the first time on Saturday with a 67-point win over Heathcote, 22.13 (145) to 12.6 (78), that was spearheaded by a pair of eight-goal hauls to Mitch Dole and Jed Lamb.
Having been marred in recent seasons by regular blowout results - largely inflicted by North Bendigo and Leitchville-Gunbower, who have contested the past four grand finals - the HDFNL is enjoying a run of close results.
Mount Pleasant's 15.16 (106) to 15.11 (101) victory over the Cats was the fifth game in the past five rounds decided by less than a kick.
As well as the wins to Mount Pleasant and White Hills, Saturday's other results featured Colbinabbin beating Leitchville-Gunbower by 16 points and North Bendigo thumping Elmore by 112 points.
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