A SEASON-DEFINING three weeks of Heathcote District Football Netball League matches for Leitchville/Gunbower begins tomorrow when the Bombers host Elmore at Gunbower.
The fourth-placed Bombers are one the in-form teams of the competition, winning their past five games after dropping games to reigning premiers, North Bendigo and Colbinabbin in the first two rounds of the season.
Last year’s grand finalists sit fourth on the ladder, and a win tomorrow against the fifth-placed Bloods will see the Bombers remain one win behind the competition’s top two sides.
“As expected with a fair turnover of players from 2015 we took a few games to settle and we had several players down on form early in the year. Individually they have worked hard to improve and we feel we are back playing some very exciting running football,” Bombers coach, Matt Hawken said.
This has been evident during the past seven weeks, with the Bombers producing dominant displays to climb up the ladder.
The side’s midfielders, led by Tom German, Daniel Couwenberg, Bart Walsh, Tim Lincoln and Jackson McEwen, have inspired the improvement, enabling Ayden Walton, Matt Perri, Daniel Coates and Adam Decicco to kick goals.
The Bloods have also improved dramatically during 2016, with the side one victory away from matching its 2015 efforts.
Danny Brewster and James Harney have led the way in the forward line for the Bloods, with Trav Mills and Cam Milward providing spark in the middle of the ground.
The ruck duel between Ross and Jack Hayes will be critical to the outcome of the match, with Hoby Bussey and Ryan Prendergast to try and nullify Brewater and Harney.
“I think our ruckman and midfield cohesion has developed significantly during the past month and we are reaping the benefits from first use of the ball,” Hawken said.
“This will be a key factor in Saturday’s game against Elmore. They have some very talented midfielders and curbing their influence will be critical.”
Leitchville/Gunbower defeated the Bloods by more than 50 points on both occasions these teams met in 2015, with Elmore last defeating the Bombers in round 15, 2012.
PREDICTION: Leitchville/Gunbower will win by 60 points.
