LEITCHVILLE/GUNBOWER will travel to Toolleen tomorrow knowing a win against Mount Pleasant will build on the club’s form during the past fortnight.
The winner of tomorrow’s match will be entrenched in the top five and one win behind top spot on the ladder.
The Bombers have bounced back from losses against North Bendigo and Colbinabbin to record 100-plus point victories against Lockington Bamawm United and White Hills.
The Blues defeated the Cats and Demons in the opening two rounds, but fell to Huntly by 78 points last weekend following the round three bye.
Matt Hawken will need to make at least two changes to the side that defeated the Demons by 108 points, with Dan Meroli out due to work commitments and Matt Giorgianni to miss the remainder of the season after breaking his leg.
“Three or four players will be in contention to come into the side, with Brendan Meroli, Jarrad Nuttall, Lee Pollock and Drew Bartram under consideration,” Hawken said.
James Armstrong and Ethan Langwell – who were pivotal in the Blues’ dominant opening fortnight – did not play last weekend, and their return will challenge the Bombers.
Hoby Bussey and Ryan Prendergast will unite to control the back third of the ground, with Matt Perri – who kicked five goals last weekend – ready to repeat his efforts.
“Mounts at Toolleen is always a tough physical match and we will looking to move the ball quickly to our forwards who are starting to hit their straps,” Hawken said.
The Bombers defeated the Blues by 22 points in round one last year and 37 points 10 weeks later, bringing their current run of wins to three. A fourth will be added tomorrow.
PREDICTION: Leitchville/Gunbower will win by 30 points.
