HEATHCOTE coach Andrew Saladino has put no cap on expectations approaching the start of the second half of the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL\u2019s senior footy season.<\/p>\n
The Saints are third on the ladder as clubs take a break for the general bye on the King\u2019s Birthday holiday weekend.<\/p>\n
Despite a 17-point loss at North Bendigo last Saturday, Saladino said Heathcote has shown it can be a serious contender for the premiership.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur expectations going into the season were finals,\u201d Saladino said of building on from last year\u2019s sixth placing.<\/p>\n
A win-loss tally of five and two includes wins over Mount Pleasant at Toolleen, and Lockington Bamawm United in Saints\u2019 territory at Barrack Reserve.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s percentage which separates Mount Pleasant, Heathcote and White Hills who are on the second, third and fourth rungs on the ladder.<\/p>\n
After the break, Heathcote is at home on 17 June to play Huntly.<\/p>\n
In the run to September, Heathcote will be at home to play White Hills on 8 July, Mount Pleasant on 29 July, and North Bendigo on 12 August.<\/p>\n
There have been many stars in the Saints\u2019 run.<\/p>\n
Among the brightest have been key forward Corey Grindlay who kicked six goals at North Bendigo for a season tally of 41.<\/p>\n
Other key players for the Saints include on-ballers Liam Jacques and Braden Padmore, William Direen and Connor Hamilton in defence, and the general of the back six and captain Codie Price off a half-back flank.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, gun onballer Jesse Davies is nearing a return to play.<\/p>\n
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Seniors<\/strong><\/p>\n North Bendigo 15.8 (98)<\/p>\n Heathcote 12.9 (81)<\/p>\n GOALS: North Bendigo: D. Klemm 4, H. Johnson 4, J. Ford 3, A. Craig 2, S. Giri 1, C. Riddick 1<\/p>\n Heathcote: C. Grindlay 6, v. butler 3, C. Price 2, B. Padmore 1<\/p>\n BEST: North Bendigo: C. Riddick, D. Klemm, J. Francis, J. Ford, R. Paetow, M. Thalasinos<\/p>\n Heathcote: M. McLean, C. Grindlay, L. Jacques, W. Direen, C. Hamilton, C. Price<\/p>\n <\/p>\n TEAM P W L D B Pts %<\/p>\n North Bendigo 7 7 0 0 1 28 144.93<\/p>\n Mount Pleasant 7 5 2 0 1 20 185.85<\/p>\n Heathcote 7 5 2 0 1 20 140.75<\/p>\n White Hills 7 5 2 0 1 20 138.61<\/p>\n LBU 7 3 4 0 1 12 116.76<\/p>\n L\u2019ville G\u2019bower 8 3 5 0 0 12 71.57<\/p>\n Colbinabbin 7 2 5 0 1 8 83.57<\/p>\n Elmore 7 2 5 0 1 8 66.09<\/p>\n Huntly 7 0 7 0 1 0 36.46<\/p>\n <\/p>\n