Pressure on Heathcote’s rising

FOUR defeats in its past six matches has Heathcote fighting to stay in the top five of the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL’s senior footy ladder.

The Saints are back on home turf at Pigeon Park in Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve for this Saturday’s showdown with Elmore.

Heathcote won on Elmore’s turf in round five by 64 points, but wins at home have been rare for the red, white and black so far this season.

The Saints record at Pigeon Park is two wins and four defeats.

A line-up coached by Andrew Saladino will be desperate to take the points against the Bloods.

The Nathan Kay-coached Elmore will be determined to mark win number two in the club’s 150th year.

After starting the season with a hat-trick of wins, Heathcote is now fourth on a six-six record.

Latest hit-out ended in a 50-point loss on North Bendigo’s turf at Bendigo Club Oval in Atkins Street.

Colbinabbin’s win at home against the Winslow White Hills Demons last round meant the Grasshoppers joined the Saints on 24 premiership points.

Although Colbo is 18 per cent behind Heathcote it just needs to keep winning to hold its place in the four.

Another challenger to Heathcote’s position in the five is Mount Pleasant which is on 20 points and has played one less match than the Saints.

A win against Elmore is vital for Heathcote’s confidence and holding fourth place.

Key players for the Saints include ruckman James Orr, Corey Grindlay, Braden Padmore, Rhys Bolton and Braden Padmore.

The play of Lachlan Freeman-Taber and Cooper Webber-Mirkin was a positive from the clash at North Bendigo.

Another big match in the HDFNL this Saturday will be at the Scott Street ground in White Hills where the Demons meet North Bendigo in the clash of first and second.