Heathcote tries to break Dogs’ hoodoo

IT HAS been many seasons since Heathcote has defeated North Bendigo in Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL senior footy action.

The Saints face their long-time nemesis in tomorrow’s (Saturday, May 31) Round 7 match at Pigeon Park in Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve.

A showdown between the Saints who are eighth on a record of a draw and four defeats with the ladder-leading Bulldogs starts at 2.30pm.

With the exception of a 19-goal loss to Mount Pleasant in the opening round, Heathcote’s been in every match since.

Margins of the next three defeats were 28 points at home against Colbinabbin, nine points at Lockington, and nine points at Elmore.

Taking the points against a red-hot North Bendigo will be an enormous challenge for a Saints line-up coached by Andrew Saladino, non-playing, and Liam Jacques, playing.

This round the Cheatley Medal-winning Jacques is likely to be on the sidelines after injuring his ankle at Elmore.

Accountability and workrate by every Heathcote player will be vital in upsetting the Bulldogs’ run.

In attack it was Dylan Johnstone and Jackson Jones who kicked three goals apiece on Elmore’s ground.

The play of Ben Connelly, Aaron Gundry, Connor Hamilton, Codie Price and Will Tobin will be important to Heathcote’s bid for a massive upset against the red, white and blue.

Tough on-baller Jye Formosa has also played the past two senior matches for the Saints after playing the opening three rounds for Strathfieldsaye Storm.

North Bendigo is the sole unbeaten team in the senior premiership race after last Saturday’s victory against Colbinabbin in the Bulldogs’ kennel at Bendigo Club Oval in Atkins Street.

Harrison Jarvie, co-coach Ryan Hartley, Matt Gray and ruckman Jordan Hargreaves were best in the 102-80 win against the Grasshoppers.

Another big match in the Heathcote DFNL tomorrow will be at Toolleen where Mount Pleasant meets

Huntly in the clash of second and fourth.

Colbinabbin will be back on its turf at M.J. Morgan Oval to face the Winslow Constructors White Hills Demons.

Lockington Bamawm United or Elmore will jump into the five after their match at Lockington’s Nichol Trading Oval.

Leitchville Gunbower has the bye.