LEITCHVILLE/GUNBOWER will aim to win its fifth consecutive match of the Heathcote District Football Netball League season tomorrow when last year’s grand finalists travel to Heathcote.
The Bombers have not played since the club’s 34-point win against Huntly 20 days ago, and face the Saints and Elmore in the coming two rounds before a return meet with reigning premiers, North Bendigo in round 10.
The extended break would have enabled Matt Hawken’s men to recover from a variety of injuries sustained during the first six weeks of the season, evident in the win against the Hawks – with the team not able to use its interchange bench from late in the second term.
Whilst the Bombers have been entrenched in the top five for much of the season, the Saints have struggled, with the side’s sole win of 2016 coming in round four against Lockington Bamawm United.
The Saints have struggled against the competition’s top three teams this season – Colbinabbin, Huntly and North Bendigo – and the same will occur tomorrow.
Hoby Bussey and Ryan Prendergast will be able to control Saints forwards Ricki Stephens and Darren Turner, with Cam Ross, Adam Decicco and Jackson McEwen to dominate against Jake Condon, Mitchell McLeanand Marc Millard in the middle of the ground.
The Bombers have won the last four matches against the Saints following the 2013 elimination final loss, with the winning margin at Pigeon Par being around the 60-point mark.
PREDICTION: Leitchville/Gunbower will win by 70 points.
