Mounts face Hoppers on rebound from defeat

MOUNT Pleasant faces a Colbinabbin line-up on the rebound from defeat when round nine in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL senior footy season is played this Saturday.

Rested by last Saturday’s bye, Mount Pleasant will make its way to the Grasshoppers ground at M.J. Morgan Oval in Colbinabbin.

The clash between third and second kicks off at 2.30pm.

Mount Pleasant was stung by a two-point loss to the Harlowe Huntly Hawks on the Blues’ ground at Toolleen in round seven.

Colbinabbin could not halt Huntly’s final quarter surge to claim a 65-64 victory on the Hoppers’ ground last Saturday.

A huge plus for Mount Pleasant is the return of ruckman Chris Down who was handed a three-match ban for rough conduct against North Bendigo in round five.

The Blues have the experience of co-coach Josh Hann, Brodie Montague and Jack Hickman to team with Down at centre clearances and stoppages.

The Blues have Adam Baird as a playing co-coach and Cam Carter as director of coaching.

Colbinabbin’s on-ball options include Julian Bull in the ruck, Sam Coughlin, Nathan Basile and Toby Howlett.

Key targets in the Blues’ attack include Mitch Bennet, Brodie Leonard-Shannon, Caelan Smith and Mitch Rovers.

A highlight will be the possible duel between Mount Pleasant captain William Wallace and Colbinabbin gun forward Brandyn Grenfell.

Key players for the Linton Jacobs-coached green and gold include Isaac Carracher, Alex Carr, Charles and Sam Ryan.

Another big match will be at Leitchville where the fifth-placed Leitchville Gunbower takes on the unbeaten North Bendigo.

Now on the bottom rung of the ladder after a five-point loss at White Hills, Heathcote will be back on home turf at Pigeon Park in Barrack Reserve to take on Huntly.

Lockington Bamawm United faces White Hills at Lockington’s Nichol Trading Oval.

Elmore has the bye.