Ladder leaders clash in North’s kennel

THE clash of ladder-leading teams Mount Pleasant and North Bendigo highlights this Saturday’s 15th round of Agnico Eagle Fosterville Gold Mine Heathcote DFNL senior football.

Defeated just once in its pursuit of back-to-back premierships, Mount Pleasant makes its way to Bendigo Club Oval in North Bendigo’s Atkins Street for a 2.20pm showdown.

It was a 90-all draw when the Blues and Bulldogs met at Toolleen in round 6.

Mounts won last Saturday’s home game against Elmore by 101 points as North Bendigo marked a 16-goal victory at White Hills.

On-ball and midfield duels will be crucial in deciding the outcome of these clubs who met in last September’s grand final.

Key players for the Blues include Jack Hickman, Nathan Kay, co-coach Josh Hann, Xavier Carter, Jett Nicholas, Alex and Joel Wharton.

Prime movers for North Bendigo include co-coach Ryan Hartley, Bailey Cain, Ryan Gillingham, Riley Paetow and Jordan Hargreaves.

In attack the Blues have Jaxson Nihill, Caelan Smith, Brodie Leonard-Shannon and possibly Ben Weightman up against Dogs’ defenders Matt Gray, Hamish McCartney, Billy Robertson and Ryan Alford.

A tight-knit Mounts’ defence led by William Wallace, Bryce Hinneberg and Deklan Wille is up against Jordan Ford, Dylan Klemm and Jake Dean.

On the sidelines Mount Pleasant has Cam Carter as co-coach, with Rob Bennett co-coach of North Bendigo.

After dropping to the fourth rung, Colbinabbin will be aiming to rebound on their turf at M.J. Morgan Oval against Leitchville Gunbower.

The Linton Jacobs-coached Grasshoppers won at Gunbower by 45 points.

A Bombers’ team coached by Joel Donehue scored a vital 40-point win against Lockington Bamawm United at Leitchvile last Saturday to now be on the ladder’s fifth rung.

Heathcote is riding a six-match unbeaten streak and has claimed a top-three berth as it prepares to play at Elmore. The Saints dominated the second half to beat Colbinabbin by 23 points at Pigeon Park in Barrack Reserve last round as Codie Price, Callum Birch and Will Tobin starred.

It’s the Cats against the Hawks as Lockington Bamawm United faces the Harlowe Huntly Hawks at Lockington’s Nichol Trading Oval.

White Hills has the bye.