Saints aim to keep intensity high

LADDER-leading Heathcote will be striving to maintain a high level of intensity this Saturday as the Andrew Saladino-coached Saints are back on field after a bye and make their way to Elmore.

A nine and two record has Heathcote atop the ladder heading into round 14.

No matter the opponent, Saladino will be urging the Saints not to relax.

In round five, Heathcote won its home clash with Elmore at Barrack Reserve by 37 points.

On that day Corey Grindlay kicked eight goals to be among the best with on-baller Liam Jacques, and defender Connor Hamilton.

Captain, Codie Price, kept charging off a half-back flank and will test the Bloods all match.

The Saints have played without Grindlay since he injured a finger in the round 10 win against Colbinabbin on June 24.

Despite the absence of the star forward, Heathcote has marked wins against Leitchville Gunbower at Gunbower by seven points, and a 29-point triumph against White Hills at Barrack Reserve in the 12th round.

In the win against the Bombers it was Victor Butler who kicked four goals as Braden Padmore added three and Jordan Cavallaro chipped in with two.

In a season where he has played in the ruck, ruck-rover or as a key forward, Padmore’s skill and versatility is a huge plus for the Saints.

Multiple goalkickers for the Saints against the Demons were Padmore on three, Liam Birch and Victor Butler on two.

Third in the league goalkicking race on 45, Grindlay is the Saints’ number one target.

In his absence Heathcote has shown it has other goalkicking options in an attack to be bolstered significantly when Grindlay is back.

After facing the Bloods the pressure on the Saints rises as they are at home next round to take on Mount Pleasant, and head to Lockington on August 5.

The Saints won the previous meetings against the Blues and Cats, last season’s runner-up and premier, by nine and 33 points.

A tough three-week stretch for Heathcote is completed with the August 12 showdown with North Bendigo at Barrack Reserve.

Seniors

T P W L D B Pts %

Heathcote 11 9 2 0 2 36 146.7

North Bendigo 11 9 2 0 2 36 140.83

Mount Pleasant 12 8 4 0 1 32 168.44

White Hills 11 8 3 0 2 32 138.25

LBU 11 7 4 0 2 28 123.72

L’ville G’bower 12 5 7 0 1 20 80.49

Colbinabbin 12 2 9 1 1 10 79.14

Elmore 12 2 9 1 1 10 66.15

Huntly 12 1 11 0 1 4 41.15

 

Reserves

T P W L D B Pts %

White Hills 11 11 0 0 2 44 302.3

Mount Pleasant 12 9 3 0 1 36 202.27

North Bendigo 11 7 3 1 2 30 159.26

LBU 11 6 4 1 2 26 141.24

Huntly 12 6 6 0 1 24 85.4

Heathcote 11 5 6 0 2 20 104.58

Elmore 12 4 8 0 1 16 72.36

L’ville G’bower 12 2 10 0 1 8 53.39

Colbinabbin 12 1 11 0 1 4 20.7

 

Under 18s

T P W L D B Pts %

North Bendigo 11 11 0 0 2 44 407.93

White Hills 11 9 2 0 2 36 386.44

Huntly 12 8 4 0 1 32 120.8

Heathcote 11 8 3 0 2 32 119.75

Elmore 12 5 7 0 1 20 100.3

LBU 11 4 5 1 2 18 56.4

L’ville G’bower 12 2 9 1 1 10 79.04

Colbinabbin 12 2 10 0 1 8 37.19

Mount Pleasant 12 2 10 0 1 8 23.53