Demons put heat on North Bendigo

WHITE Hills will be aiming to beat North Bendigo for the third time in four showdowns when the twelfth round of the Bendigo Bank Heathcote District Football Netball League’s senior footy season is played on Saturday.

The Jack Fallon-coached Demons capped a brilliant second half to win 109-97 against the Bulldogs in this season’s third round at the Scott Street den in White Hills.

On that occasion it was Rhys Irwin, Mitch Walsh, Cohen and Bayden Fallon who led the Demons to victory.

The return match is on North Bendigo’s turf at Hibo Hotel Oval in Atkins Street.

In round three of last season, White Hills broke the Bulldogs’ long-running unbeaten streak at home in a 109-97 result.

Both teams have plenty to play for.

White Hills is a win behind the fifth-placed Heathcote, and the Robert Bennett-coached North Bendigo is six points adrift of the third-placed Mount Pleasant.

Key players for the Demons include Ben Bacon, Liam Bartels, Brady Childs, Jake Dickens, Mitch Dole and Cohen Kekich.

Stars in North Bendigo’s big win at Elmore in round 11 were Hakeem Johnson, Aaryn Craig, Nic Waterson, Sean Moyle and Nathan Newlan.

In just his second match for the club, Johnson kicked six goals.

The talented forward-mid is also wearing number five, made famous by triple premiership player Doug ‘Dollar’ Roulston in the Bulldogs’ glory days of 1974, ‘76 and ’77.

Mount Pleasant is back on home turf at Toolleen against Heathcote with a great rivalry between the Blues and Saints.

In round three, Mounts won at Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve by 51 points.

Best for the Blues in last Saturday’s win at White Hills were Chris Down, Ben Weightman, Fletcher White and Billy Mahony.

The Andrew Saladino-coached Saints are on the rebound from a 21-goal drubbing from Lockington Bamawm United.

Heathcote will look for big games from the likes of Jordan and Kai Cavallaro, Brent Jane, Braden Padmore and Codie Price.

LBU is back at Lockington to take on Leitchville-Gunbower and it’s another massive test for the young Bombers against a powerful Cats’ line-up that includes Brodie and Jesse Collins, Joss Howlett, Thomas Leech and Tyler Phillips.

After a breakthrough win at Leitchville last Saturday, Huntly has the bye and it’s also a rest for Colbinabbin and Elmore who met in the season opener.