HEATHCOTE is primed for another huge challenge this Saturday in the penultimate round of the Bendigo Bank Heathcote District Football League season.<\/p>\n
The ladder-leading Saints are on their turf at Pigeon Park in Heathcote\u2019s Barrack Reserve to take on North Bendigo.<\/p>\n
One of Heathcote\u2019s two defeats in a win-loss tally of 12-2 was at North Bendigo in round eight and on that day the Bulldogs won by 17 points.<\/p>\n
Saints\u2019 coach Andrew Saladino said the team learnt plenty from the defeat and would be prepared for another huge challenge against the Dogs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWorkrate and pressure on our opponent, especially at centre ball-ups and stoppages will be really important,\u201d Saladino said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe cannot allow North Bendigo an easy run through midfield and to pass to key targets like Dylan Klemm and Jordan Ford with ease.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a massive challenge for our back six, but also for every player on the field.<\/p>\n
\u201cNorth Bendigo has the ability to get three or four goals in quick succession.<\/p>\n
\u201cA goal is to not allow that, or if they have momentum being able to slow the game down and take back control.\u201d<\/p>\n
The past two rounds Heathcote has lifted when challenged in the last quarter to take the points.<\/p>\n
In last Saturday\u2019s match at Lockington the Saints led 51-49 at three quarter-time.<\/p>\n
Heathcote scored 4.4 to just three points for a 79-52 result.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was always going to be a tough match. LBU\u2019s place in the top five was on the line,\u201d Saladino said. \u201cThey are reigning premier until they are not, so the pressure was going to be high.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe way we have finished our past two games against Lockington Bamawm United and Mount Pleasant is really pleasing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe we are one of the fittest teams in the league.\u201d<\/p>\n
Runner-up for the Cheatley Medal as league fairest and best in 2022, Heathcote on-baller Braden Padmore is in hot form and will test the Dogs all match.<\/p>\n
Other players to watch include on-ballers Jesse Davies, Liam Jacques and Tom Pain.<\/p>\n
A powerful attack is led by Corey Grindlay, and there\u2019s captain Codie Price dominating across half-back.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Seniors<\/strong><\/p>\n Lockington Bamawm United 7.10 (52)<\/p>\n Heathcote 11.13 (79)<\/p>\n GOALS: Lockington Bamawm United: A. McMahon 3, B. Kennedy 2, R. McIvor 1, T. Phillips 1<\/p>\n Heathcote: C. Grindlay 3, B. Padmore 2, v. butler 1, T. Pain 1, S. Dowsett 1, B. Price 1, L. Birch 1, J. Conforti 1<\/p>\n BEST: Lockington Bamawm United: B. Kennedy, B. Holman, M. Jones, B. Collins, C. Hinks, T. Eade<\/p>\n Heathcote: B. Padmore, L. Jacques, C. Hamilton, C. Price, B. Price, J. Beedle<\/p>\n <\/p>\n TEAM P W L D B Pts %<\/p>\n Heathcote 14 12 2 0 2 48 146.22<\/p>\n North Bendigo 14 11 3 0 2 44 134.91<\/p>\n White Hills 14 10 4 0 2 40 139.72<\/p>\n Mount Pleasant 15 9 6 0 1 36 156.56<\/p>\n L\u2019ville G\u2019bower 15 8 7 0 1 32 92.42<\/p>\n LBU 14 7 7 0 2 28 103.58<\/p>\n Colbinabbin 14 3 10 1 2 14 84.18<\/p>\n Elmore 14 2 11 1 2 10 61.66<\/p>\n Huntly 14 1 13 0 2 4 44.09<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Reserves<\/strong><\/p>\n Lockington Bamawm United 7.4 (46)<\/p>\n Heathcote 8.11 (59)<\/p>\n GOALS: Lockington Bamawm United: B. Phillips 4, D. Kelly 2, Z. Coatsworth 1<\/p>\n Heathcote: R. Bolton 3, M. Powers 2, C. Luscombe 1, J. Badger 1, Z. Brown 1<\/p>\n BEST: Lockington Bamawm United: B. Lochhead, J. Griggs, D. Dalziel, R. Bradley, S. Eade, K. Bambling<\/p>\n Heathcote: R. Bolton, A. Williamson, M. McLean, A. Mcivor, J. Kelly, L. Baron<\/p>\n <\/p>\n TEAM P W L D B Pts %<\/p>\n Mount Pleasant 15 12 3 0 1 48 218.78<\/p>\n White Hills 14 11 3 0 2 44 206.96<\/p>\n North Bendigo 14 10 3 1 2 42 187.06<\/p>\n LBU 14 8 5 1 2 34 135.61<\/p>\n Heathcote 14 7 7 0 2 28 109.54<\/p>\n Huntly 14 7 7 0 2 28 94.64<\/p>\n Elmore 14 4 10 0 2 16 59.13<\/p>\n L\u2019ville G\u2019bower 15 2 13 0 1 8 47.51<\/p>\n Colbinabbin 14 2 12 0 2 8 23.87<\/p>\n <\/p>\n