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.<\/p>\n
As they go into this weekend\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
When Corey Grindlay kicked his seventh in the second minute of the last the passionate Saints fans were abuzz.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was a great match,\u201d Saladino said. \u201cOur pressure was not where we needed it to be in the first quarter, or the early minutes of the third, but then lifted dramatically.<\/p>\n
\u201cPressure, 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Saladino said the Saints\u2019 lesser-known players were instrumental in the fightback.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know what our top-quality players bring each game, but it\u2019s a complete team effort that is important to success.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Saints are back at Barrack Reserve on 13 May to play Elmore.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Seniors<\/strong><\/p>\n White Hills 17.13 (115)<\/p>\n Heathcote 17.11 (113)<\/p>\n GOALS: White Hills: K. Antonowicz 9, N. Warnock 4, J. Davies 2, M. Sawyer 1, L. Bartels 1<\/p>\n 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<\/p>\n BEST: White Hills: K. Antonowicz, M. Sawyer, D. Nihill, N. Warnock, J. Davies, J. Fallon<\/p>\n Heathcote: C. Grindlay, S. Dowsett, T. Pain, J. Beedle, W. Direen, B. Padmore<\/p>\n <\/p>\n TEAM PLAYED WON LOST DRAWS BYES Pts %<\/p>\n Mount Pleasant: 3 2 1 0 0 8 193.91<\/p>\n Heathcote: 3 2 1 0 0 8 167.34<\/p>\n Elmore: 3 2 1 0 0 8 135.4<\/p>\n White Hills: 2 2 0 0 1 8 128.06<\/p>\n North Bendigo: 2 2 0 0 1 8 109.52<\/p>\n Lockington Bamawm: 2 1 1 0 1 4 135.63<\/p>\n Colbinabbin: 3 1 2 0 0 4 67.53<\/p>\n Leitchville Gunbower: 3 0 3 0 0 0 44.07<\/p>\n Huntly: 3 0 3 0 0 0 40.47<\/p>\n <\/p>\n