IT HAS been many seasons since Heathcote has defeated North Bendigo in Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL senior footy action.<\/p>\n
The Saints face their long-time nemesis in tomorrow’s (Saturday, May 31) Round 7 match at Pigeon Park in Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve.<\/p>\n
A showdown between the Saints who are eighth on a record of a draw and four defeats with the ladder-leading Bulldogs starts at 2.30pm.<\/p>\n
With the exception of a 19-goal loss to Mount Pleasant in the opening round, Heathcote’s been in every match since.<\/p>\n
Margins of the next three defeats were 28 points at home against Colbinabbin, nine points at Lockington, and nine points at Elmore.<\/p>\n
Taking the points against a red-hot North Bendigo will be an enormous challenge for a Saints line-up coached by Andrew Saladino, non-playing, and Liam Jacques, playing.<\/p>\n
This round the Cheatley Medal-winning Jacques is likely to be on the sidelines after injuring his ankle at Elmore.<\/p>\n
Accountability and workrate by every Heathcote player will be vital in upsetting the Bulldogs’ run.<\/p>\n
In attack it was Dylan Johnstone and Jackson Jones who kicked three goals apiece on Elmore’s ground.<\/p>\n
The play of Ben Connelly, Aaron Gundry, Connor Hamilton, Codie Price and Will Tobin will be important to Heathcote’s bid for a massive upset against the red, white and blue.<\/p>\n
Tough on-baller Jye Formosa has also played the past two senior matches for the Saints after playing the opening three rounds for Strathfieldsaye Storm.<\/p>\n
North Bendigo is the sole unbeaten team in the senior premiership race after last Saturday’s victory against Colbinabbin in the Bulldogs’ kennel at Bendigo Club Oval in Atkins Street.<\/p>\n
Harrison Jarvie, co-coach Ryan Hartley, Matt Gray and ruckman Jordan Hargreaves were best in the 102-80 win against the Grasshoppers.<\/p>\n
Another big match in the Heathcote DFNL tomorrow will be at Toolleen where Mount Pleasant meets<\/p>\n
Huntly in the clash of second and fourth.<\/p>\n
Colbinabbin will be back on its turf at M.J. Morgan Oval to face the Winslow Constructors White Hills Demons.<\/p>\n
Lockington Bamawm United or Elmore will jump into the five after their match at Lockington’s Nichol Trading Oval.<\/p>\n
Leitchville Gunbower has the bye.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
IT HAS been many seasons since Heathcote has defeated North Bendigo in Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL senior footy action. The Saints face their long-time nemesis in tomorrow’s (Saturday, May 31) Round 7 match at Pigeon Park in Heathcote’s Barrack Reserve. A showdown between the Saints who are eighth on a record of a draw and […]<\/p>\n