Starts a target for ladder leaders

NOW on top of the ladder, Heathcote’s focus is on a strong start in this Saturday’s senior footy clash with White Hills in round twelve of the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season.

The Saints are on home turf at Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve to take on the Demons in a showdown between first and third.

“The start of the match is going to be crucial for us,” said Heathcote coach Andrew Saladino. “Last time we met White Hills was up by 40 points in the first half.

“We fought back brilliantly, but playing catch-up footy is never ideal,” he said of the 113-115 loss on the Demons’ ground in round three.

The Saints again showed plenty of fighting quality to defeat Leitchville-Gunbower at Gunbower last Saturday.

“In the first quarter they worked so much harder in and around the contest than us,” Saladino said. “At one stage centre clearances were seven-nil their way.

“We were focused too much on the outside game, and they were winning the ball at contests and using it well.

“To the boys’ credit they were able to turn things around in what was a great game of footy.”

The Saints were without gun forward Corey Grindlay and will be for a few more weeks.

“Corey broke his finger against Colbinabbin and will miss a few more weeks.”

In Grindlay’s absence it was Victor Butler who led the Saints attack by kicking four goals against the Bombers to be best afield along with Liam Jacques and captain Codie Price.

 

Seniors

Leitchville Gunbower 9.10 (64)

Heathcote 11.5 (71)

GOALS: Leitchville Gunbower: B. Hawken 4, L. Sverns 4, C. Horman 1

Heathcote: V. Butler 4, B. Padmore 3, J. Cavallaro 2, L. Jacques 1, T. Pain 1

BEST: Leitchville Gunbower: J. Keath, C. McGregor, J. Warde, B. Hawken, Z. Hislop, M. Candy

Heathcote: V. butler, L. Jacques, C. Price, W. Direen, B. Padmore, C. Hamilton

 

TEAM P W L D B Pts %

Heathcote 10 8 2 0 1 32 145.47

North Bendigo 10 8 2 0 1 32 129.16

Mount Pleasant 10 7 3 0 1 28 176.12

White Hills 9 7 2 0 2 28 140.75

LBU 9 5 4 0 2 20 121.34

L’ville G’bower 10 3 7 0 1 12 73.27

Colbinabbin 10 2 7 1 1 10 81.88

Elmore 10 2 7 1 1 10 69.31

Huntly 10 1 9 0 1 4 41.31

 

Reserves

Leitchville Gunbower 14.6 (90)

Heathcote 6.7 (43)

GOALS: Leitchville Gunbower: S. Cruse 4, D. Hawken 3, K. Hawken 2, R. Armstrong 1, N. Vanzetta 1, N. McKenner 1, J. Jenkinson 1, L. Hogan 1

Heathcote: W. Pointer 2, J. Condon 2, J. Pringle 1, D. Butler 1

BEST: Leitchville Gunbower: K. Hawken, B. Smith, R. Hore, D. Hawken, S. Cruse, J. Kervin

Heathcote: A. Williamson, A. Mcivor, D. Butler, C. Obst, L. Jaroslawski, J. Condon

 

Under 18s

Leitchville Gunbower 4.7 (31)

Heathcote 9.8 (62)

GOALS: Leitchville Gunbower: D. Jones 3, B. Barnstable 1

Heathcote: K. Baldwin 2, T. Johnson 2, J. McCarthy 1, B. Ferguson 1, J. Pringle 1, R. Foster 1, D. Butler 1

BEST: Leitchville Gunbower: H. Torney, J. Brown, H. Fountain, Z. Hegarty, H. Connelly, R. Gass

Heathcote: D. Butler, B. Ferguson, J. Pringle, P. Bolton, K. Baldwin, S. Carr