League’s top four primed for crucial contests

MATCHES between the league’s top four teams feature in this Saturday’s eighth round of senior footy in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote District Football Netball League.

Colbinabbin’s or Lockington Bamawm United’s unbeaten run will be ended when the Grasshoppers and Cats clash at Colbinabbin’s M. J. Morgan Reserve.

The Julian Bull-coached Colbinabbin will be primed for this contest in the first of a tough two-round leg.

Key players for the Grasshoppers include James and Jed Brain, Hadleigh Sirett and some of Colbo’s best did not play against Huntly last round.

The Brodie Collins-coached Lockington Bamawm turned a 16-point deficit at three quarter-time against North Bendigo into a 10-point victory as Charlie Hinks, Thomas Leech and Joss Howlett led the way.

Stars in the Cats’ line-up include Jesse Collins, Ben Fulford, Tyler Phillips and Nathan Bacon.

Despite the disappointment of defeat, North Bendigo will have gained a lot of confidence from the hit-out at Lockington.

The fourth-placed Bulldogs are back on home turf at Hibo Hotel Oval in Atkins Street to take on the third-placed Mount Pleasant.

Key players for the Robert Bennett-coached North Bendigo include Jordan and Lachlan Ford, Aaryn Craig, Dylan Klemm, Nathan Newlan, Jeremy Lambden and Nic Waterson.

The Mount Pleasant Blues had the bye after a 31-point loss at home to Lockington Bamawm in round six.

Just as the Dogs were, the Blues were overran by the Cats recently.

Players to watch in the Darren Walsh and Adam Baird-coached Mounts team include ruckman Chris Down, Ben Weightman, Billy Mahony, Bailey and Fletcher White, Zane Keighran and Jesse Tuohey.

Stung by defeat on Heathcote’s turf, White Hills is back at home at Scott Street to take on Leitchville-Gunbower.

The Demons not only need the win, but also to lift percentage and key players for Jack Fallon’s chargers include Bayden Fallon, Mitch Dole, Liam Bartels and Cohen Kekich.

The Tim Bannan-coached Bombers have Jobee Warde, Nathan McLellan and Ayden Walton in great form.

Elmore tackles Huntly on the Bloods’ turf at Elmore.

Darcy Laffy kicked eight goals in Elmore’s latest win and will be a huge threat to the Huntly defence.

Others to watch for the Bloods are Kyle Armstrong, Tannar Cerrone, Dylan Gordon and Dylan Oaff.

The Stacy Fiske-coached Hawks will be desperate to break their winless run and could do so through the play of Jay McDonald, Travis Mercadante, Mitch Christensen, Jaydon Cowling and Orion Downing.

Heathcote has the bye.