LEITCHVILLE/GUNBOWER will aim to further cement its Heathcote District Football Netball League’s finals credentials when it travels to take on struggling White Hills.
While White Hills is struggling, the Bombers will be wary of faultering heading towards the finals.
The Demons – who finished last season as semi-finalists – have struggled so far this year, recording three wins after two thirds of the season.
Although defeating Lockington Bamawm United and Mount Pleasant earlier last month, White Hills received a reality check last weekend, going down to competition leaders, Huntly by 107 points.
The loss added to the club’s poor form against the league’s top four teams, with the Demons losing by more than 90 points on each occasion the side has played the Hawks, Bombers, Colbinabbin or North Bendigo in 2016.
This record includes the Bombers’ 108-point victory at Leitchville in round four.
Since then Matt Hawken’s men have surged to the top half of the ladder, replicating the form that help capture last season’s minor premiership and a grand final berth.
A win tomorrow would be the Bombers’ 10th consecutive victory, with the prospect of a seventh 100-plus point margin on the cards.
Lee Pollock will be dominant in the ruck following the recent retirement of Demons stalwart, Matt Sawyer, with the likes to Adam Decicco and Tom German to benefit in the midfield and across the half-forward line.
Liam Ireland and David Wright will try to stop Matt Perri and Tim Lincoln from repeating last weekend’s efforts in front of the visitors’ goals, but the Bombers have numerous players that can go forward and score.
Jake Ward will be the home side’s focal point in the forward line, with Ryan Prendergast set to stop the Demons’ leading goalkicker if Hoby Bussey is not passed fit following an injury in last weekend’s win against the Cats.
PREDICTION: Leitchville/Gunbower will win by at least 80 points.
OTHER HDFNL MATCHES: Lockington Bamawm United v Heathcote; Colbinabbin v Elmore; Mount Pleasant v Huntly. Bye – North Bendigo.
