Saints aim to fight in every contest

ALTHOUGH it has drawn just one match, Heathcote coach Andrew Saladino said the fighting spirit of the senior footy team has not waned.

As they have the bye this round in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL, the Saints will reset and look forward to breaking their season ‘duck’ across their next six matches.

Heathcote’s determination to compete was on show in last Saturday’s match against Colbinabbin on the Grasshoppers’ turf at M.J. Morgan Oval.

A 14-point margin going into the last quarter became 34 as Colbinabbin finished with a hat-trick of goals and kept the Saints goalless.

A fourth season as Saints coach has thrown up many challenges for Saladino and the squad.

“The desperation to compete has not dropped, especially in the past month,” Saladino said of hit-outs with White Hills, Huntly, Mount Pleasant and Colbinabbin.

“It would be great to see reward for effort.”

The Saints racked up 19 scoring shots against Colbinabbin, but finished on 6.13 as the Hoppers scored 14.9.

In a season where there has been plenty of injuries, Heathcote has had seven players mark their first senior game.

“They are learning about what it takes to compete in senior footy,” Saladino said, also praising the leadership of Will Tobin and Codie Price. “The way they compete lifts the team,” he said.

Heathcote’s most consistent player is Jackson Jones, while Daniel Johnstone and young ruckman Aaron Gundry have also played big roles every week. The ext hit-out for the Saints will be on 12 July against Lockington Bamawm United at Pigeon Park at Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve.

The highlight of this Saturday’s play will be the clash of fifth and third-placed Leitchville Gunbower and Mount Pleasant at Gunbower.

Colbinabbin will be at home against Lockington Bamawm United.

Elmore tackles Huntly, and North Bendigo faces White Hills on the Atkins Street ground.