Saints at full strength against Bloods

A HOT-to-go Heathcote team will take to the netball court for the A-grade clash with Elmore in Saturday’s 14th round of the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season.

The Saints are home at Pigeon Park in Barrack Reserve to face a strong Elmore line-up.

Heathcote’s six-goal victory at North Bendigo last round meant the Saints have secured a finals berth for the second year in a row.

Saints’ co-coach and mid-court star Brooke Bolton said the focus was now on improving each round in the lead-up to the finals series.

“Elmore is a great test for us,” Bolton said.

“We are up against a strong opponent and need a consistent four quarters to be competitive,” she said of being up against the third-placed Bloods.

Heathcote was not at full-strength when it played on Elmore’s court in round five.

“We are excited to play them at full-strength.”

The Saints won a hard-fought contest at Bendigo Club Oval in North Bendigo’s Atkins Street.

A one-goal deficit for Heathcote at half-time turned dramatically in the third quarter.

The Saints won the term, 14-7, on the way to clinching a 37-31 victory.

“We were without two of our regular players in Hayley Hogan and Chloe Hill,” said Bolton.

“Telani Bibby again stepped up to play wing defence and did a great job.

“It was not our strongest performance in attack, but our defenders really stepped up and kept us in the game.”

Bolton and co-coach Kelsey Hayes were rapt with the team’s ability to stay composed and focus on the game plan.

Goalkeeper Jen Van Neutegem racked up four intercepts, six deflections and six rebounds to be best in the Saints seventh win of the season.

A highlight of this Saturday’s match will be Van Neutegem against Elmore co-coach and goalshooter Gabe Richards.

Another in-form player for the Saints is Jess Peck at goal defence.

Bolton said a focus in the lead-up to the showdown with the Bloods would be on attacking plays.

“Shooting percentages will need to improve to stay with or lead Elmore,” she said of facing an opponent which has a nine-two record.