Pressure a key for Saints

A HIGH level of pressure will be a key to Heathcote’s game against Leitchville-Gunbower in Saturday’s second round of senior footy in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote District Football Netball League.

The Saints and Bombers will clash on Heathcote’s turf at Barrack Reserve from 2.30pm and there’s an expectation fans will turn out in big numbers.

After a 77-44 victory at Colbinabbin in round one, Heathcote coach Andrew Saladino will be keen to see another strong display but is also wary of what Leitchville-Gunbower is capable of.

“They are a new-look team who fought back well in the third quarter at home against White Hills,” he said.

“There are some talented young players in their team and their outside run is fantastic.

“We have to be switched on from the start.”

Saladino said it was a great start as the Saints aim for a finals berth.

“Our pressure all match was outstanding,” he said of Heathcote’s first win in senior footy at Colbinabbin since 2013. “It was a massive test and day for the club.

“Our work inside the contest was superb.

“It was a test against the bigger-bodied midfielders and on-ballers from Colbo, but the work rate and willingness to compete was excellent.

“It was what we worked a lot on in pre-season and have to in every game we play. A goal will be to bring the same or higher level of pressure against the Bombers.”

The Saints’ best in round one included ruck-rover Jesse Davies, ruckman Jordan Marcroft, key forward Shannon Dowsett, and Liam Birch.

In attack it was Callum Birch, three goals; Dowestt, Corey Grindlay and Liam Jacques, two, who capped off the work.

“Liam Jacques was sensational for us, as was Jesse Davies,” Saladino said.

“Their play has meant there is not as much reliance on Braden Padmore and Codie Price to dominate.”

 

Seniors

Colbinabbin 6.8 (44)

Heathcote 11.11 (77)

GOALS – Colbinabbin J. Carn 2, L. Fitzgerald 2, N. Knight 2. Heathcote – C. Birch 3, C. Grindlay 2, L. Jacques 2, S. Dowsett 2, K. Cavallaro 1, B. Price 1, J. Cavallaro 1

BEST- Colbinabbin – L. Fitzgerald, L. Fitzgerald, J. Carn, W. Lowe, L. Moore, J. McArdle. Heathcote – J. Davies, J. Marcroft, S. Dowsett, L. Birch, B. Padmore, C. Price.

TEAM PLAYED WON LOST DRAWS BYES Pts %

White Hills 1 1 0 0 0 4 242.31

Elmore 1 1 0 0 0 4 202.63

Heathcote 1 1 0 0 0 4 175

North Bendigo 1 1 0 0 0 4 109.52

Mount Pleasant 1 0 1 0 0 0 91.3

Colbinabbin 1 0 1 0 0 0 57.14

Huntly 1 0 1 0 0 0 49.35

Leitchville Gunbower 1 0 1 0 0 0 41.27

Lockington Bamawm 0 0 0 0 1 0 0

 

Reserves

Colbinabbin 3.2 (20)

Heathcote 20.15 (135)

GOALS – Colbinabbin – W. Hayes 3. Heathcote – W. Pointer 5, J. Badger 3, W. Long 3, L. Baron 2, J. Baker 2, L. Jaroslawski 1, G. Bradshaw 1, N. Malavisi 1, K. Seidel 1, A. Williamson 1.

BEST – Colbinabbin – L. Hill, W. Hayes, J. Grigg, S. Coughlin, M. Mangiameli, J. Barnett. Heathcote – W. Long, K. Seidel, W. Pointer, L. Baron, J. Badger, L. Jaroslawski.

 

Under 18s

Colbinabbin 6.4 (40)

Heathcote 9.11 (65)

GOALS – Colbinabbin – E. McAuley 3, A. Rolfe 2, N. Morgan 1. Heathcote – C. Tobin 2, R. Foster 1, T. Johnson 1, J. Pringle 1, W. Butler 1, B. Ferguson 1.

BEST – Colbinabbin – N. O’sullivan’s, E. McAuley, L. Howard, T. Hoggan, N. Morgan, H. Johnston. Heathcote – T. Johnson, J. Pringle, A. Taylor, C. Cronin, S. Creevey, W. Butler.