HEATHCOTE is bracing for a fierce contest with Mount Pleasant in Saturday\u2019s fifteenth round of senior footy in the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL season.<\/p>\n
Two of the competition\u2019s greatest rivals meet on Heathcote\u2019s turf at Barrack Reserve.<\/p>\n
Although sitting on top of the ladder, Heathcote cannot afford to relax, especially against an opponent stung by consecutive defeats.<\/p>\n
The Andrew Saladino-coached Saints have played superb football all season to be first in the premiership race on a 10-2 record.<\/p>\n
Heathcote\u2019s run includes a 74-65 victory against Mounts at Toolleen in the sixth round.<\/p>\n
As the Saints won their latest hit-out at Elmore by eight goals, Mount Pleasant was on the end of 47-point home drubbing to White Hills.<\/p>\n
Saladino is wary of what the Blues can produce.<\/p>\n
Not so long ago the Adam Baird and Ben Weightman-coached Mounts ended North Bendigo\u2019s unbeaten run.<\/p>\n
Past two rounds for the Blues have been a loss to Leitchville Gunbower at Gunbower, and then at home to White Hills and those defeats have put Mounts in fourth place.<\/p>\n
A huge positive for Heathcote in last Saturday\u2019s round was the return of key forward Shannon Dowsett through the reserves.<\/p>\n
Dowsett kicked eight goals in a best afield performance in the twos.<\/p>\n
The Saints have also been without gun forward Corey Grindlay since he injured a finger in the round 10 win at home against Colbinabbin.<\/p>\n
Despite those injury blows, Heathcote has shown it has plenty of goalkicking depth.<\/p>\n
Multiple goalkickers in the Saints\u2019 run across the past three matches include Joseph Beedle, Liam Birch, Victor Butler, Jordan Cavallaro, Jackson Conforti, and Braden Padmore.<\/p>\n
A Saints\u2019 defence led by Will Direen, Ben Connelly, Codie Price and Connor Hamilton faces a huge challenge against Blues\u2019 stars Ben Weightman, Mitch Bennett, and Mitch Rovers.<\/p>\n
On-ball duels will be crucial, especially in the ruck where Lachlan Freeman Taber is up against Chris Down, one of the league\u2019s best and the Blues\u2019 captain.<\/p>\n
Players to watch for the Saints include Jesse Davies in the centre, Brayden Klemke, Will Long and Callum Birch.<\/p>\n
Heathcote was also without on-baller Liam Jacques for the clash at Elmore.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Seniors<\/strong><\/p>\n Elmore 8.7 (55)<\/p>\n Heathcote 15.13 (103)<\/p>\n GOALS: Elmore: M. Carson 2, D. Laffy 2, L. Price 1, J. Styles 1, N. Kay 1, Z. Laffy 1<\/p>\n Heathcote: J. Conforti 3, B. Padmore 3, J. Beedle 2, J. Davies 2, V. Butler 1, D. McLean 1, R. Bolton 1, J. Cavallaro 1, L. Freeman Taber 1<\/p>\n BEST: Elmore: R. Holmberg, J. Kyne, L. Gundry, M. Blackshaw, H. Trewick, J. Smith<\/p>\n Heathcote: C. Birch, L. Freeman Taber, J. Davies, J. Beedle, B. Padmore, W. Long<\/p>\n <\/p>\n TEAM P W L D B Pts %<\/p>\n Heathcote 12 10 2 0 2 40 149.67<\/p>\n North Bendigo 12 10 2 0 2 40 142.79<\/p>\n White Hills 12 9 3 0 2 36 141.72<\/p>\n Mount Pleasant 13 8 5 0 1 32 154.16<\/p>\n LBU 12 7 5 0 2 28 114.44<\/p>\n L\u2019ville G\u2019bower 13 6 7 0 1 24 86.28<\/p>\n Colbinabbin 13 2 10 1 1 10 77.19<\/p>\n Elmore 13 2 10 1 1 10 65<\/p>\n Huntly 12 1 11 0 2 4 41.15<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Reserves<\/strong><\/p>\n Elmore 3.11 (29)<\/p>\n Heathcote 14.8 (92)<\/p>\n GOALS: Elmore: Z. Connellan 1, K. Cornell 1, X. Kellow 1<\/p>\n Heathcote: S. Dowsett 8, J. Badger 2, M. Farley 1, Z. Brown 1, A. Williamson 1, J. Kelly 1<\/p>\n BEST: Elmore: M. Nettlefold, M. Gilmour, N. Palmer, Z. Oaff, K. Cowan, K. Cornell<\/p>\n Heathcote: S. Dowsett, A. Williamson, J. Kelly, A. Mcivor, Z. Brown, L. Baron<\/p>\n <\/p>\n TEAM P W L D B Pts %<\/p>\n White Hills 12 11 1 0 2 44 247.73<\/p>\n Mount Pleasant 13 10 3 0 1 40 204.94<\/p>\n North Bendigo 12 8 3 1 2 34 185.35<\/p>\n LBU 12 7 4 1 2 30 145.17<\/p>\n Heathcote 12 6 6 0 2 24 113.31<\/p>\n Huntly 12 6 6 0 2 24 85.4<\/p>\n Elmore 13 4 9 0 1 16 67.99<\/p>\n L\u2019ville G\u2019bower 13 2 11 0 1 8 52.83<\/p>\n Colbinabbin 13 1 12 0 1 4 19.3<\/p>\n <\/p>\n