Saints keep marching on

HEATHCOTE coach Andrew Saladino welcomes what will be another finals-type clash at Lockington in this Saturday’s sixteenth round of the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season.

The ladder-leading Saints will be aiming to march to victory at Lockington’s Nichol Trading Oval.

“It’s going to be another great challenge for us,” Saladino said after Heathcote’s four-point win against Mount Pleasant at Pigeon Park in Barrack Reserve last Saturday.

“It’s virtually a final for Lockington Bamawm United as Leitchville Gunbower has charged into finals contention.”

In round seven Heathcote beat the reigning premier by 33 points and belief and work rate have been key factors in the Saints charge to the top of the ladder.

“I was incredibly proud of the way the boys fought on against Mounts,” Saladino said. “It was an ideal lead-up to finals and a great contest.”

Heathcote FNC also played in the purple guernseys on what was Memorial Day.

“It’s always a special day for the club,” said Saladino.

Georgia was emblazoned on the back of the jumpers in honour of Georgia French.

On-field there were many key contributors to the Saints’ victory.

The versatile Braden Padmore again showed he’s a leading contender for the Sam Cheatley Medal as league fairest and best.

“Braden was able to kick three goals early, did a lot of work in the midfield, and went into the ruck in the final quarter,” said Saladino.

The work of Joseph Beedle from a wing, Jesse Davies in and around the packs, Ben Connelly and Connor Hamilton in defence, and Liam Jacques was superb.

Brayden Klemke was given the task against Mounts co-coach Adam Baird and performed well against the Blues’ champion.

Although he conceded height and weight, Lachlan Freeman Taber competed well in the ruck and faces a big task against LBU gun Tyler Phillips this round.

The Saints also had key forwards Corey Grindlay and Shannon Dowsett back in action.

Grindlay finished with a match-high four goals for a season tally of 49.

Next two matches will again be a huge test as the Saints play on the Cats turf and then face North Bendigo at Barrack Reserve.

 

Seniors

Heathcote 11.9 (75)

Mount Pleasant 10.11 (71)

GOALS: Heathcote: C. Grindlay 4, B. Padmore 3, c. Birch 1, S. Dowsett 1, J. Conforti 1, J. Davies 1

GOALS: Mount Pleasant: B. Weightman 3, M. Rovers 3, M. Wakefield 1, A. Baird 1, F. White 1, R. McNamara 1

BEST: Heathcote: B. Padmore, C. Hamilton, B. Connelly, L. Jacques, J. Beedle, B. Klemke

Mount Pleasant: B. Weightman, W. Wallace, A. Baird, R. McNamara, F. White, M. Rovers

 

TEAM P W L D B Pts %

Heathcote 13 11 2 0 2 44 145.86

White Hills 13 10 3 0 2 40 146.61

North Bendigo 13 10 3 0 2 40 135.36

Mount Pleasant 14 8 6 0 1 32 149.02

LBU 13 7 6 0 2 28 106.8

L’ville G’bower 14 7 7 0 1 28 89.69

Colbinabbin 14 3 10 1 1 14 84.18

Elmore 13 2 10 1 2 10 65

Huntly 13 1 12 0 2 4 41.99

 

Reserves

Heathcote 9.6 (60)

Mount Pleasant 13.9 (87)

GOALS: Heathcote: W. Pointer 3, M. McLean 3, B. Price 1, A. Williamson 1, L. Baron 1

Mount Pleasant: J. Mackenzie 5, J. O’Connell 2, Z. Featherby 2, N. Edwards 1, R. Pontell 1, J. Smith 1, J. Nihill 1

BEST: Heathcote: M. McLean, J. Badger, J. Cavallaro, B. Price, R. Bolton, J. Kelly

Mount Pleasant: R. Pontell, J. Craig, O. Bish, J. Mackenzie, A. Hand, N. Edwards

 

TEAM P W L D B Pts %

White Hills 13 11 2 0 2 44 231.5

Mount Pleasant 14 11 3 0 1 44 199.2

North Bendigo 13 9 3 1 2 38 189.22

LBU 13 8 4 1 2 34 141.73

Heathcote 13 6 7 0 2 24 108.45

Huntly 13 6 7 0 2 24 82.66

Elmore 13 4 9 0 2 16 67.99

L’ville G’bower 14 2 12 0 1 8 51.7

Colbinabbin 14 2 12 0 1 8 23.87

 

Under 18s

Heathcote 11.11 (77)

Mount Pleasant 0.2 (2)

GOALS: Heathcote: J. Pringle 4, T. Johnson 3, M. Pointer 1, K. Baldwin 1, D. Butler 1, M. Buhagiar 1

BEST: Heathcote: J. Pringle, D. Butler, R. Foster, T. Johnson, B. Sherwood, M. Pointer

Mount Pleasant: M. Holmes, W. Bowles, C. Poyser, J. Kristiansen, C. Smith, T. White

 

TEAM P W L D B Pts %

North Bendigo 13 13 0 0 2 52 447.44

White Hills 13 11 2 0 2 44 440

Huntly 13 9 4 0 2 36 133.83

Heathcote 13 9 4 0 2 36 128.19

Elmore 13 6 7 0 2 24 103.16

LBU 13 4 7 1 2 18 45.29

L’ville G’bower 14 3 10 1 1 14 85.09

Colbinabbin 14 2 12 0 1 8 32.18

Mount Pleasant 14 2 12 0 1 8 20.42