Round 14 of the Heathcote District Football League saw results that had major ramifications on finals placings.
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Lockington slipped out of the top five with a loss to Leitchville-Gunbower, Mount Pleasant continued its dominance by easing past Elmore, while Colbinabbin was beaten at Heathcote.
RESULTS
Round 14
Leitchville-Gunbower 13.10 (88) d Lockington-Bamawm United 6.12 (48)
Mount Pleasant 18.9 (117) d Elmore 2.4 (16)
Heathcote 10.14 (74) d Colbinabbin 7.9 (51)
White Hills 7.7 (49) lost to North Bendigo 21.19 (145)
Huntly bye
Leitchville-Gunbower vs Lockington-Bamawm United
Lockington-Bamawm United’s bid to claim the last finals spot took a hit in a defeat to Leitchville-Gunbower at Leitchville Recreation Reserve.
The Bombers took control of the contest with a scintillating third quarter at both ends that they won 35-0.
Leitchville had started better earlier in the clash, kicking three goals to LBU’s one in the first term, though the Cats responded by winning the second 23-13, only trailing 4.8 (32) to 5.5 (35) at half-time.
But Joel Donehue’s message at the main break clearly resonated with his players, as Leitchville’s dominance in the third was the difference, putting it ahead by 38 points.
LBU wasn’t able to pull off a miraculous comeback in the final term, kicking 2.4 in the fourth to the Bombers’ 3.0, with the Cats falling to a 6.12 (48) to 13.10 (88) loss.
Lockington’s best on the day included Bowden Stone, Patrick Keele, Jacob Gardiner, Tyler Phillips, Marcus Angove, and Jack O’Callaghan.
With the loss, LBU (6-7) dropped below Leitchville (6-6) into sixth, with the Bombers now holding the last finals spot in fifth.
They also have a slightly better percentage and a game in hand on the Cats.
Three straight losses for LBU has moved it out of the finals places, though two of its final three matches are against sides below it on the ladder.
Next up, the Cats welcome Huntly to Lockington Recreation Reserve.
Mount Pleasant vs Elmore
Mount Pleasant’s assault on the minor premiership continued with a comfortable 101-point victory over Elmore at Toolleen Recreation Reserve.
The visitors — very much the underdogs in the fixture — made a solid start in the first quarter by matching the Mounts, each side kicking 2.0 to be deadlocked at quarter-time.
But that was Elmore’s only notable period of the match, with the reigning premier taking total control of proceedings after the first change.
Pleasant booted six majors in the second quarter while keeping the Bloods to just one behind, opening up an 8.3 (51) to 2.1 (13) lead at half-time.
Elmore could only muster a solitary point again in the third term, as the Mounts marginally increased their unassailable advantage with 2.3.
Despite leading by 52 points at three-quarter time, Cam Carter’s side produced its best attacking explosion of the match in the fourth term, kicking eight goals while Elmore was again held goalless.
An 18.9 (117) to 2.4 (16) win for the hosts was built on three goals each for midfielder Jaxson Nihill and forward Joel Wharton, with the duo also in Pleasant’s best alongside Jack Hickman, Jett Nicholas, William Wallace, and Nathan Kay.
Lachie Gawel kicked both of Elmore’s goals, while Matthew Filo, Rhys Holmberg, Matt Gilmour, Hayden Trewick, Charlie O’Toole, and Lachie Munro were the Bloods’ best.
Elmore (2-11) won’t play finals this season, with its main goal now being to avoid a bottom-placed finish.
The Bloods take on Heathcote next at Elmore Recreation Reserve.
Meanwhile, the league-leading Mounts have a huge away fixture against North Bendigo, with a win in the top of the table clash all but securing the minor premiership.
Heathcote vs Colbinabbin
Colbinabbin fell to a second straight defeat, going down to Heathcote by 23 points at Barrack Reserve.
A 27-7 third term win for the Saints was key, though the two sides were largely well-matched across the four quarters.
Colbo started the better, kicking three goals to one to take a 13-point lead into quarter-time.
But the hosts slowly walked down the deficit, starting in the second term where they booted 3.4 to the Grasshoppers’ 2.3, Colbo still ahead 5.6 (36) to 4.6 (30) at half-time.
The 20-point third quarter win put the Saints ahead by 14 entering the final term, with the Hoppers’ attacking output particularly waning after a strong start.
Linton Jacobs’ side would only kick two goals in the second half, with 1.2 in the fourth quarter to Heathcote’s 2.5 culminating in a 7.9 (51) to 10.14 (74) defeat.
Colbo named Jude Ryan, Daniel Hill, Connor Aldous, Angus Martin, Benjamin Barton, and Isaac Carracher as its best players on the day.
The Hoppers are almost certain to play finals this season, but their recent slide has left them in fourth on the ladder, with Heathcote jumping up into third.
This result could be crucial come the post-season, with a third-placed finish offering a double chance compared to fourth going straight into an elimination fixture against fifth.
Colbo will have to arrest its slide for that extra advantage, though it won’t be easy against fifth-placed Leitchville-Gunbower in round 15.
Elsewhere, North Bendigo made it five wins on the bounce with a 21.19 (145) to 7.7 (49) victory over White Hills at White Hills Recreation Reserve.