Saints a chance to break drought

HEATHCOTE will eye a great chance to mark a breakthrough victory when it tackles Lockington Bamawm United in Saturday’s 13th round of Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL senior football.

The Saints and Cats will play at Pigeon Park in Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve from 2.30pm.

Just nine points separated these teams when LBU won at Lockington’s Nichol Trading Oval in round four.

Although its record is a draw and nine defeats, Heathcote has shown plenty of spirit in recent hit-outs against Mount Pleasant and Colbinabbin.

The Andrew Saladino and Liam Jacques-coached Saints had the bye last round as LBU was defeated at Colbinabbin.

A key for the Saints will be the run and attacking flair of Rhys Bolton, Codie Price, Joseph Beedle, Ibrahim Taha, Zak Saad and Will Tobin.

In the ruck it’s Aaron Gundry against dual Cheatley medallist and premiership-winning star Tyler Phillips.

Key players for the Jayden Howe-coached LBU include captain Brodie Collins, Jack O’Callaghan, Matt Hore, Jack Reiter and Stuart Taylor.

Another big match will be at Colbinabbin’s M.J. Morgan Oval where the Grasshoppers take on Leitchville Gunbower.

In round four the Linton Jacobs-coached Colbinabbin charged to a 50-point win at Leitchville.

It’s fourth against first as the Harlowe Huntly Hawks tackle North Bendigo at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve.

The Hamish Morcom-coached Hawks have a seven-three record and will rely a lot on winning centre clearances and stoppages to pressure the Bulldogs’ defence.

A powerful attack for the Rob Bennett and Ryan Hartley-coached North Bendigo includes Dylan Klemm, Jake Dean and Cody Riddick.

Mount Pleasant will be back at Toolleen to face Elmore in the clash of the Blues and Bloods.

An upset victory for the Nathan Kay-coached Elmore and a loss for LG Bombers would result in a two-point margin between fifth and sixth.

White Hills has the bye.