Hoppers fight to gain edge on Blues

A WEEK before they meet in a footy qualifying final, Colbinabbin and Mount Pleasant will fight to gain a psychological edge in Saturday’s 18th and final round of the Bendigo Bank Heathcote District Football League.

Ladder positions could change as the third-placed Blues take on the second-placed Hoppers at Colbinabbin’s M.J. Morgan Reserve.

When they met in round nine it was an 84-82 win for the Darren Walsh and Adam Baird-coached Mounts at Toolleen.

The Blues stitched up the double chance for the finals when they turned a 10-point lead at three quarter-time of last Saturday’s home game against North Bendigo into a 28-point victory.

Ben Weightman kicked four goals and will test Colbinabbin, along with ruckman Chris Down and the in-form Jesse Tuohey and Daniel Whiting.

The Julian Bull-coached Colbinabbin will be on the rebound from a 44-point loss at Lockington.

Key players for the Grasshoppers include James and Jed Brain, Todd Clarke, Laine Fitzgerald and ruckman Hadleigh Sirett.

A win for White Hills on its ground in Scott Street against Huntly will ensure the Demons of a fifth-place finish and elimination final clash with North Bendigo a week later.

The Demons won last Saturday’s match against Leitchville-Gunbower at Gunbower by 57 points as Bayden Fallon, Rhys Irwin, Tom Conlan and Cohen Kekich were best.

It will be a danger game for the Jack Fallon-coached Demons against Huntly which goes into the contest after a 27-point win against Elmore.

Players to watch for the Stacy Fiske-coached Hawks include Jaydon Cowling, Mitch Christensen, Tyler Miles and Mitch Billings.

Heathcote must win its home game at Barrack Reserve against Leitchville-Gunbower and sweat on a Huntly victory at White Hills to reclaim fifth place.

The Saints had the bye last round after a 88-81 loss at White Hills the previous Saturday.

The play of captain Codie Price, Will Direen, Kai Cavallaro and Braden Padmore should ensure the Saints beat the Bombers.

Elmore completes its season at home against the ladder-leading Lockington Bamawm United.

Best in the Bloods’ latest hit-out at Huntly were Nic Palmer, captain Nic Kellow, co-coach Dylan Gordon and Rhys Holmberg.

The Brodie Collins-coached LBU showed it will be tough to beat for the premiership as it dominated the second half of last Saturday’s match against Colbinabbin.

In-form players for the Cats include Nathan Bacon, Harley Cobb, Charlie Hinks, Riley McIvor and Fraser Monahan.

North Bendigo has the bye.