Saints show lots of spirit on footy field

ALTHOUGH disappointed by a two-point loss, Heathcote coach Andrew Saladino said the fighting spirit shown in the round three clash at White Hills has sparked lots of self-belief in the footy team.

As they go into this weekend’s Heathcote District Football Netball League bye on a 2-1 record, Saladino said the Saints desperation to overcome a poor start under lights and withstand pressure on Saturday night at White Hills was outstanding.

Faced with a 41-point deficit at the four-and-a-half-minute mark of the third term, Heathcote slammed on 8.3 to lead 98-92 at a quarter to go.

When Corey Grindlay kicked his seventh in the second minute of the last the passionate Saints fans were abuzz.

It was not to be as the Demons, inspired by a nine-goal haul by the classy Kaiden Antonowicz, which included the last two goals of a superb contest, claimed a 115-113 victory.

“This was a great match,” Saladino said. “Our pressure was not where we needed it to be in the first quarter, or the early minutes of the third, but then lifted dramatically.

“Pressure, work rate and run and gun are key parts of our game and we were able to get back into the contest and take the lead because of that.”

Saladino said the Saints’ lesser-known players were instrumental in the fightback.

“We know what our top-quality players bring each game, but it’s a complete team effort that is important to success.”

The Saints are back at Barrack Reserve on 13 May to play Elmore.

Seniors

White Hills 17.13 (115)

Heathcote 17.11 (113)

GOALS: White Hills: K. Antonowicz 9, N. Warnock 4, J. Davies 2, M. Sawyer 1, L. Bartels 1

Heathcote: C. Grindlay 8, B. Padmore 2, c. Birch 2, L. Birch 1, H. McCarthy 1, L. Jacques 1, W. Long 1, K. Cavallaro 1

BEST: White Hills: K. Antonowicz, M. Sawyer, D. Nihill, N. Warnock, J. Davies, J. Fallon

Heathcote: C. Grindlay, S. Dowsett, T. Pain, J. Beedle, W. Direen, B. Padmore

TEAM PLAYED WON LOST DRAWS BYES Pts %

Mount Pleasant: 3 2 1 0 0 8 193.91

Heathcote: 3 2 1 0 0 8 167.34

Elmore: 3 2 1 0 0 8 135.4

White Hills: 2 2 0 0 1 8 128.06

North Bendigo: 2 2 0 0 1 8 109.52

Lockington Bamawm: 2 1 1 0 1 4 135.63

Colbinabbin: 3 1 2 0 0 4 67.53

Leitchville Gunbower: 3 0 3 0 0 0 44.07

Huntly: 3 0 3 0 0 0 40.47

Reserves

White Hills 10.7 (67)

Heathcote 7.6 (48)

GOALS: White Hills: J. Sheean 2, J. Avery 2, M. Mcconnell 2, T. Parkinson 1, J. Gardy 1, N. Wharton 1

Heathcote: W. Pointer 2, A. Mcivor 2, M. McLean 1, Z. Brown 1, C. Luscombe 1

BEST: White Hills: J. Sheean, J. Dickens, M. Cox, J. Gardy, P. Crawford, J. Avery

Heathcote: M. McLean, K. Seidel, D. McLean, C. Obst, J. Kelly, A. Williamson