Reigning premiers face tough start

THE Winslow White Hills Demons face a tough start in their pursuit of back-to-back premierships across all three grades of football in this year’s Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL action.

A rematch of ’24 grand finalists, White Hills and Leitchville Gunbower will be played under lights at the Demons’ den at Winslow Constructors Oval lights in Scott Street when the season kicks off April 12.

Another big match on that day will be Mount Pleasant against Heathcote at Toolleen.

Round one will feature a night match between the Lockington Bamawm United Cats and Harlowe Huntly Hawks at Lockington.

There will be a general bye on April 19 for Easter.

It’s another night showdown for White Hills in round two when the Demons play at Elmore on April 26.

A week later and White Hills will be back home to take on North Bendigo.

Victorious against North Bendigo in both of last season’s matches, Huntly will make the trek to the Bulldogs’ kennel on May 10 in round four.

Highs in round five include Heathcote at home against Leitchville Gunbower at Pigeon Park.

Most recent match between these clubs was the first semi-final which was abandoned after the ground was deemed unsafe following a heavy thunderstorm.

The LG Bombers led when the match was called off in the third quarter and went on to reach the grand final.

In round six, White Hills will be at home against Mount Pleasant as North Bendigo takes on a Colbinabbin team which is being coached by Linton Jacobs after a premiership-winning hat-trick with Marong in the Loddon Valley.

Another big test for Colbinabbin will be at home on M.J. Morgan in round seven against White Hills.

Heathcote will be striving to end North Bendigo’s hoodoo when they meet at Pigeon Park on the same day.