Huntly’s defence faces task against Mounts

HUNTLY’S defence faces a huge task against Mount Pleasant in Saturday’s fifth round of senior footy in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote District Football League.

The Hawks have home-ground advantage at Strauch Reserve for the clash with a Mounts line-up chasing a fifth victory in the row.

Major challenge for the Stacy Fiske-coached Huntly will be to contain Blues’ gun forward Ben Weightman.

Eight goals and a best afield performance by Weightman in Mounts win against Leitchville Gunbower at Toolleen followed six goals and best on ground honours in the previous round at Heathcote.

A star-studded Blues line-up includes Adam Baird, Chris Down and Billy Mahony.

It’ll be a tough run for Huntly, who played at Lockington last round.

Meanwhile, it’s the Saints against the Grasshoppers as Heathcote faces Colbinabbin at Barrack Reserve.

Last Saturday’s rest could be a bonus for the Saints as they take on a team which beat White Hills by 65 points.

The Andrew Saladino-coached Heathcote will look for big games from the likes of Billy and Codie Price, Braden Padmore, Kai Cavallaro and Jackson Jones.

Players to watch for the Grasshoppers include James and Jed Brain, Laine Fitzgerald, Todd Clarke and ruckman Hadleigh Sirett.

Stung by a loss at White Hills, North Bendigo had the rest last Saturday ahead of the trek to Leitchville to take on Leitchville Gunbower.

Key players for North Bendigo include Jordan Ford, captain Aarryn Craig, Dylan Klemm, Lachlan Ford and Matt Gray.

Leitchville Gunbower had ruckman Jobee Warde, Mitchell Candy, Matt and Nathan McLellan, and Leyton Shenfield play well against Mounts.

The Bombers will be keen to create more scoring chances this round.

White Hills tackles Elmore in the Demons’ den at Scott Street.

The Demons played well in their previous home game to beat North Bendigo and should take the points against the Bloods.

In-form players for the Jack Fallon-coached White Hills include Rhys Irwin, David Wright, Ben Bacon and Brady Childs.

Mitch Dole is always dangerous near goal, while Cohen Kekich did not play at Colbo after he kicked four goals in the team’s first win of season 2022.

Elmore had the bye last round after it finished within five goals of Colbinabbin on home turf in round three.

The Dylan Friedberger and Dylan Gordon-coached Elmore will look to Rhys and Zack Holmberg, Mitch Carson, Darcy Laffy and Tannar Cerrone to keep the heat on the Demons.

Lockington Bamawm United has the bye.