Must-win clash for Saints at Lockington

HEATHCOTE faces a must-win clash at Lockington in this Saturday’s fourth round in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL senior football season.

Heathcote was beaten by Mount Pleasant and Colbinabbin in the opening two rounds.

The Andrew Saladino and Liam Jacques-coached Saints had the bye last Saturday as Lockington Bamawm United (LBU) took it right up to Colbinabbin at Lockington.

The Jayden Howe-coached LBU held a four-goal lead at half-time.

But in the final hour it was the Linton Jacobs-coached Colbinabbin that slammed on eight goals and kept the Cats to a goal on the way to a 79-55 victory.

Among the key duels this Saturday will be in the ruck, where Heathcote has high-leaping youngster Aaron Gundry to take on the experienced Tyler Phillips.

It is a huge challenge for Gundry as Phillips is a dual winner of the Sam Cheatley Medal as league fairest and best and is a premiership winner.

At ground level, the Saints have the run and skill of co-coach Liam Jacques, Justin Bateson, Joe Beedle and Callum Birch.

The elusive Zak Saad led Heathcote’s attack against Colbinabbin.

Big roles will also be played by Dylan Johnstone at full-forward and Daniel Johnstone, Codie Price, Daniel Johnstone and Oscar Keogh in the Saints’ defence.

Another big match will be at Leitchville, where the Leitchville Gunbower Bombers face Colbinabbin.

The team, coached by Shannon Keam, is on the rebound from an 86-point loss to Mount Pleasant at Toolleen.

North Bendigo takes on Huntly at Bendigo Club Oval in North Bendigo’s Atkins Street.

Elmore is on home turf against a red-hot Mount Pleasant.

Among the highs of Mount Pleasant’s win against the Bombers was the return of Adam Baird, who was co-coach of the 2023 premiership team. Baird kicked two goals in a big win by the Blues.

White Hills has the bye.