Tom Morris and Jobee Warde take their ruck contest to the sky. Photos: Matthew Kappos.
With the bye in round 18, Elmore’s final outing for 2025 came to an end in disappointing style as Leitchville-Gunbower ran over the top of it in round 17 of the Heathcote District Football League.
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Hosting the Bloods at Gunbower Recreation Reserve, L-G needed to bank a win against a lower-seeded side to keep its nose in front and in the finals frame.
In a competitive first quarter, the game at Gunbower Recreation Reserve began well for the Bombers, who kicked four goals and a pair of behinds to open their account.
Liam Bianco escapes Billy Hawken’s tackle.
However, Elmore did the hard yards to remain competitive, booting two majors and three minors to trail by 11 at the first turn.
Unfortunately for the Bloods, a downturn in attacking form meant L-G had the majority share of the ball and bulldozed them in front of goals, outscoring them 5.8 to one behind to widen its lead to 48 at the major break.
It was a midfield mire as players from both sides scrambled for the ball.
While Elmore (1.9) was able to get back on the goal-kicking horse, the Bombers continued their blistering pace with another four-goal effort, with the red, black and yellow tsunami looking unstoppable heading into the final frame.
It was much of the same down the stretch, with the Bloods mustering one more goal while L-G exploded with five majors throughout to cruise to an 18.17 (125) to 4.8 (32) victory.
Lachie Gawel lines it up for Elmore.
Jake Dick-O’Flaherty (2) was the only Elmore player to kick more than one goal in the match, while Matthew O’Dwyer was named best on in the Bloods’ final outing.
The 93-point thrashing sees the Bombers officially punch their ticket to the finals, while sliding into fourth spot.
Sam Lees lets it fly with flair.
Whether L-G can hold on to its top-four finish will come down to the final game of the season, which is set to be a blockbuster clash against league-leader North Bendigo at North Bendigo Oval.
Matthew O’Dwyer scans his options.
Rhys Holmberg maintains possession.
The Game
Scores
L-G: 4.2, 9.10, 13.15, 18.17 (125)
Elmore: 2.3, 2.4, 3.7, 4.8 (32)
Goals
L-G: Blake Dye 8, Bryce Barnstable 3, Christopher Horman 2, James Brereton, Darcy Elliott, Charles Hancock, Jett Keam, Austin Windridge
Elmore: Jake Dick-O’Flaherty 2, Nash Hayes, Nathan Kay
Best
L-G: Bryce Barnstable, Blake Dye, James Brereton, Nic Cattapan, Jye Keath, Zeb Ellwood
