MIDFIELD contests will be a key factor as Heathcote plays North Bendigo in this Saturday\u2019s senior footy action in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s first against third as Heathcote, who site five and one, tries to end North Bendigo\u2019s unbeaten run.<\/p>\n
The Andrew Saladino-coached Saints make their way to Hibo Hotel Oval on Atkins Street in North Bendigo riding a wave of confidence.<\/p>\n
The Saints broke their Lockington Bamawm United hoodoo at Barrack Reserve last Saturday and the previous round and Heathcote marked an 11-point victory on Mount Pleasant\u2019s turf at Toolleen.<\/p>\n
Now the task is to upset North Bendigo at home, a feat few teams have achieved in recent seasons.<\/p>\n
Heathcote has on-ballers and midfielders such as Braden Padmore, Liam Jacques, Callum Birch and Thomas Pain in great form.<\/p>\n
Corey Grindlay has kicked 35 goals in six matches and his athleticism and marking power will test North Bendigo\u2019s defence.<\/p>\n
A talented forward line includes Liam Birch, and Jordan and Kai Cavallaro, but it\u2019s quality and quantity of supply that will be important.<\/p>\n
In defence it will be the likes of William Direen, Will Long, Ben Connelly and Codie Price who work to negate the Dogs\u2019 scoring punch and also to rebound.<\/p>\n
The run and gun style of Heathcote has troubled all opponents.<\/p>\n
Although it has not had its best 22 in action the past few rounds, Heathcote has shown it has considerable depth.<\/p>\n
A powerful North Bendigo has Jordan Ford, Aarryn Craig, Nic Waterson, Shane Harris and Tim Devereux leading the charge.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Seniors<\/strong><\/p>\n Heathcote 13.10 (88)<\/p>\n Lockington Bamawm 8.7 (55)<\/p>\n GOALS: Heathcote: C. Grindlay 4, L. Birch 3, L. Jacques 2, B. Padmore 2, J. Conforti 1, V. Butler 1<\/p>\n LBU: F. Monahan 2, C. Cox 1, M. Johnson 1, T. Leech 1, R. McIvor 1, T. Phillips 1, S. Brentnall 1<\/p>\n BEST: Heathcote: W. Long, B. Padmore, L. Jacques, B. Connelly, C. Price, V. Butler<\/p>\n LBU: T. Phillips, J. Collins, B. Kennedy, F. Monahan, M. Johnson, B. Collins<\/p>\n TEAM P W L D B Pts %<\/p>\n North Bendigo 6 6 0 0 1 24 149.32<\/p>\n Mount Pleasant 7 5 2 0 0 20 185.85<\/p>\n Heathcote 6 5 1 0 1 20 155.61<\/p>\n White Hills 6 4 2 0 1 16 106.92<\/p>\n LBU 6 2 4 0 1 8 99.39<\/p>\n Colbinabbin 6 2 4 0 1 8 84<\/p>\n Elmore 6 2 4 0 1 8 76.97<\/p>\n Leitchville Gunbower 7 2 5 0 0 8 66.87<\/p>\n Huntly 6 0 6 0 1 0 41.66<\/p>\n <\/p>\n