READ MORE - North Bendigo v Leitchville-Gunbower | PHOTOS
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LEITCHVILLE-Gunbower produced another imposing performance in round two of the Bendigo Junior Football League under-18s on Saturday.
The slick Bombers outclassed North Bendigo by 98 points, winning 21.9 (135) to 6.1 (37) at Atkins Street.
The impressive victory followed the Bombers' 149-point win over Newbridge in their season-opener the previous week.
The Bombers, who also feature a contingent of players from Lockington-Bamawm United, had their kicking boots on in the first half, booting 11.2 as they led by 50 points at the main break.
"There's some speed in amongst the side and the boys are coming along well," Leitchville-Gunbower coach Matt Hawken said.
The standout for the Bombers was full-forward Hugh Byrne, who outscored North Bendigo off his own boot kicking eight goals.
"He's a Lockington lad who goes to Caulfield Grammar, but is home at the moment because he can't be in Melbourne and he had a real day out kicking eight goals," Hawken said.
"He's only just turned 17... he took some nice marks and kicked some nice goals."
As well as Byrne's eight goals, the Bombers also had Billy Hawken, Halen Danziger and Angus Baldwin kick three goals apiece.
The Bombers named Byrne their best player, while ruckman Eli Spiers and rover Austin Windridge were also among the team's standouts.
Despite the 98-point margin, North Bendigo coach Tony Keating was able to take plenty of positives out of the game for his side.
Firstly, they kicked six goals after being held goal-less the previous week against Marong.
And secondly with the way his side fought the game out, kicking three goals in the final term while keeping the Bombers to four after the floodgates had threatened to open right up.
"Last week Marong kicked nine goals in the last quarter, so I stressed to the boys at three quarter-time that we didn't want the same to happen again this week," Keating said.
"And to the boys credit they hung in really well to kick three goals."
Keating was full of praise for the performance of midfielder Harley Muscat.
"Harley played in the centre and he's just unbelievable with the way he cracks in at every contest," Keating said.
"He burrows into the packs and just has a red-hot crack; he played a really good game for us."
MOUNT PLEASANT v MARONG
Marong took the upper hand after half-time against Mount Pleasant to win by 17 points at Toolleen.
The Blues led by nine points at half-time, but the Panthers kicked seven goals to three after the break to record a 9.9 (63) to 7.4 (46) victory and improve to 2-0.
Xander Hartland, Tristan Rowe and Nicholas Naughton led the best for the Panthers, while Bryce Chapman kicked four of their nine goals.
The Blues went into the game having been unable to train during the week due to COVID-19 protocols.
"We just ran out of a bit of juice in the second half," Blues coach Jason Carbone said.
"We had our noses in front at half-time, but to Marong's credit, they had a good gameplan and rotated their bench really well.
"We battled away well and even though we went down, it's all about giving the kids eight games of footy this year."
Fletcher White, who played a mix of midfield, forward and ruck, and Xavier Maher playing a key role in defence were the Blues' best.
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WHITE HILLS v CALIVIL UNITED
White Hills notched its first victory with a 22-point win at home over Calivil United.
White Hills broke clear in the third quarter to set up its 10.11 (71) to 7.7 (49) victory.
"I was really proud of the effort of the boys today. Across the board it was a really good team effort and just having that extra week of being together made a big difference," Demons coach Matt Baxter said.
"The boys played with a bit more composure and we had a bit more midfield dominance compared to last week (loss to Huntly)."
White Hills' strong midfield performance was led by the trio of Aston Thompson, Liam Monaghan (two goals) and Braydn Murley, while Colby MacDonnell slotted three goals.
It was Calivil United's first game of the season after having the bye in round one.
"I thought the boys did well for a group of players who haven't played together before... the side is a bit of a mix from teams in the Loddon Valley," Demons coach Sam Green said.
Jack Demeo was Calivil United's best.
"Jack played off half-back and in the middle and provided heaps of run and pressure, which was good to see," Green said.
Centre half-back Nash Viney and Will Stringer through the midfield were also solid performers.
HUNTLY v NEWBRIDGE
Huntly moved to 2-0 following a 13-point win over Newbridge at Riverside Park.
The Hawks prevailed 9.8 (62) to 7.7 (49) after they had trailed during the third quarter.
"It was a fairly hard and tough game of football. We started the game well and Newbridge came hard at us during the second and third quarters, but we were able to steady in the last quarter and get the win," Huntly coach Garth Edwards said.
The Hawks were best served by Mitch Billings, Koby Gibson and Sam Wallace.
Jordan Leedham bagged three of Newbridge's seven goals and was best for the Maroons, whose top performers also included Ethan Wright, Matt Morgan and Mitch O'Neill.
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