Early top of the table clash

THE showdown between Colbinabbin and North Bendigo highlights this Saturday’s senior footy action in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote District Football League.

Both clubs featured in last Saturday’s season opener where Colbinabbin scored an 89-point victory against Elmore under Colbo’s lights at M.J. Morgan Reserve while North Bendigo got a hard-fought 10-point win at home over Heathcote.

North Bendigo’s Jordan Ford marked his 150th senior match by being best afield and is a key player in the Robert Bennett-coached team that includes gun forwards Dylan Klemm, Shane Harris and Matt Gray.

Midfield and on ball battles will be crucial in determining the victor of this contest with Grasshoppers and Bulldogs both capable of scoring plenty of goals and quickly.

Another big match will be in White Hills where the Demons face Lockington Bamawm United in the Demons’ den at Scott Street.

It’s a massive task for Demons’ playing coach Jack Fallon and a new-look team.

White Hills had plenty of goalscoring power last season through Jed Lamb, but he and coach Sam Kerridge have both gone.

The Brodie Collins-coached LBU was unbeaten last season and is premiership favourite.

A formidable Cats line-up includes ruckman Tyler Phillips, Jesse Collins, Lachlan Atherton, Jarod Bacon, and been bolstered by the recruitment of the versatile Riley McIvor from Eaglehawk.

A tough start to the season for Elmore rolls on as they face Mount Pleasant at Elmore.

The Bloods’ pressure and workrate through the midfield will be crucial against the Darren Walsh and Adam Baird-coached Mount Pleasant.

Although beaten in round one, Heathcote will have gained a lot of confidence going into Saturday’s home game against Huntly.

Stars for the Andrew Saladino-coached Saints against North Bendigo were Codie Price, Braden Padmore and Shaun Harrison and led in attack by Kai Cavallaro with four goals.