Cats tackle Hoppers in preliminary final

IT’S Cats against Grasshoppers as Lockington Bamawm United plays Colbinabbin in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote District Football League’s preliminary final this Saturday.

A chance to take on Mount Pleasant in the 3 September grand final is at stake when LBU and Colbinabbin do battle at the Scott Street ground in White Hills from 2.15pm.

The Brodie Collins-coached LBU finished the home and away series on top of the ladder and had a rest in the first week of the finals but couldn’t stop Mount Pleasant’s run to a 31-point victory in last Saturday’s second semi-final at Gunbower.

The Julian Bull-coached Colbinabbin stayed in the premiership race after a 35-point win against White Hills in Sunday’s first semi-final at Toolleen.

The Grasshoppers led 38-8 at quarter-time before the Demons fought to reduce the deficit to 19 by half-time.

Colbinabbin kicked away to a 40-point lead by the last change and went on to win 111-76 as Ben Southam, Logan and Laine Fitzgerald, and Ben Barton starred for the green and gold.

This season’s meetings between Lockington Bamawm United and Colbinabbin stand at one-all.

In round eight it was Colbinabbin which dominated on home turf at M. J. Morgan Reserve to beat the Cats by 47 points.

James Brain booted five goals to be among the best with Matt Riordan, Ben Southam and Ben Barton.

In the 17th round it was Lockington which claimed a 44-point win at home against the ‘Hoppers.

Fraser Monahan, Charlie Hinks, Harley Cobb and Nathan Bacon were LBU’s best.

There will be many crucial match-ups in the preliminary final.

A highlight will be in the ruck where LBU gun Tyler Phillips, a dual Cheatley medallist as league fairest and best, pits his skill against Hadleigh Sirett.

Cats’ forwards like Anthony McMahon, Ben Fulford and Rhys Woodland will be fired up after being held to a tally of seven goals in the second semi.

A talented LBU line-up includes Jarod, Nathan and Trent Bacon, Marcus Angove, Lachlan Atherton, Jesse Collins, Joss Howlett and Riley McIvor.

Colbinabbin will look for big games from Tom Hill in defence, Jed Brain, Todd Clarke, Luke Moore, captain David Price, Stephen Tuohey and Will Lowe.

The reserves preliminary final features Mount Pleasant and Heathcote from 11.50am.

A big day for White Hills begins with the Demons’ rising stars in the under-18s footy clash with Leitchville Gunbower from 9.45am.