Positivity a keyfor Saints lineup

A POSITIVE mindset is crucial as Heathcote strives to break its winless run in Saturday’s round five clash with Leitchville Gunbower in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL senior footy action.

The Saints are back on their home ground at Pigeon Park in Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve to take on the LG Bombers from 2.30pm.

Although disappointed by a nine-point loss at Lockington last Saturday, Heathcote coach Andrew Saladino said there was a lot to like about the team’s performance.

“As a club we are incredibly proud of the effort,” Saladino said.

“The willingness to compete was excellent.

“There were some moments where we had chances to increase our lead in the last quarter but didn’t and they did,” he said of the 87-78 result at Nichol Trading Oval.

As the Saints scored 1.4 in the final term it was LBU’s accuracy, with 4.4, that proved a telling factor.

Best for the Saints against the Cats were Will Tobin, co-coach Liam Jacques, the classy Zak Saad, Codie Price and Lachlan Freeman Taber across half-back, and key forward Dylan Johnstone.

Now the Saints’ focus is on beating a Leitchville Gunbower team on the rebound from a 50-point loss at home to Colbinabbin.

Despite a nil-three start, Saladino said it’s not all doom and gloom.

“It’s really important to be positive, keep working hard and we can turn things around quickly,” he said.

The Saints go into Saturday’s match eight points behind the fourth and fifth-placed LBU and Huntly.

Runner-up two seasons ago, Heathcote sits eighth on the ladder.

Reigning premier White Hills is last in the title race.

Another big match on Saturday will be at nearby Toolleen where Mount Pleasant takes on North Bendigo in the clash of first and second. Colbinabbin hosts Elmore, and Huntly meets White Hills at Strauch Reserve.

LBU has the bye.