LEITCHVILLE/GUNBOWER has claimed the minor premiership in the Heathcote District Football League with a thumping 154-point win over fellow finals side Elmore on Saturday.
The win edged the Bombers ahead of arch rivals North Bendigo on percentage, earning the side a rest for the first week of the finals.
The Bulldogs would have thought they had done enough to remain on top after thrashing the third placed Huntly by 121 points at Atkins Street but instead will face the Hawks again next week in the qualifying final at Toolleen.
Five minutes into the first term and the Bombers’ hopes of top spot looked decidedly unlikely with the Bloods kicking the first three goals, two of which came from the boot of league leading goalkicker Danny Brewster.
Elmore obviously had something to prove on the eve of their first finals campaign for several years but once the Bombers started scoring majors the result was never in doubt.
In a clinical display the Bombers piled on the next seven goals – forwards Daniel Coates, Ayden Walton, Matt Perri and Sam Kennedy all featuring and again underlining the multiple avenues to goal the Bombers have .
Quarter time saw the Bombers up by an impressive four goals after their slow start – but scores from North Bendigo indicated they were still behind the Bulldogs on percentage.
Last week Bombers coach Matt Hawken had reflected on his side’s possible lack of ruthlessness in finishing off games and indeed only playing a couple of good quarters a week and coasting rather than demolishing opposition.
Signs have been there though that the Bombers have been developing momentum – across the board efforts have been increasing in the last few weeks – notably the defence, and after the opening burst from Elmore the Bombers defence clamped down.
Will Brerton provided plenty of dash and attacking drive off a back flank and Drew Bartram marked well overhead, providing further support to reliable pair Steve Pretty and an aggressive Kieran Treacy.
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Ruckman Leigh Pollock had a huge impact both at stoppages and around the ground and is in near career best form at the right end of the season.
Fellow on-ballers Tom German and Bart Walsh crashed through packs and dug the ball out of the stoppages as the Bomber machine clicked into gear.
Walton and Coates continued their goal kicking duel, the latter kicking four until half time to Walton’s three with Perri and Tim Lincoln adding singles.
Both were particularly impressive – Walton for his hard leading and strong marking and Coates for his flawless execution by foot that saw the Bombers maintain an accuracy in front of goal uncommon this season.
Six goals to none in the second term gave the Bombers a 59 point lead and top spot on the ladder.
Third quarters and second halves in general have been somewhat indifferent for the Bombers this season – sometimes inaccurate and complacent – sometimes precise and efficient.
This time however the Bombers displayed a more ruthless side as they stormed away with eleven goals for the term and followed up with another nine in the last.
Coates finished with eight , Walton seven and Matt Perri four in what was a cameo compared with his previous week’s effort .
Perri finished with 70 goals from the home and away season – equal third with North’s Brady Herdman.
Not for the first time this season the Bombers had more than ten goal scorers – something that will stand them in good stead in their upcoming finals campaign.
“We have a few more options up forward than we did last year and when we kick straight we can really get the scoreboard ticking over” was Hawken’s summation post game.
“Last year we probably relied a bit heavily on Hancock and Perri and now other sides have to cover a few more blokes.”
