TOMORROW’S Heathcote District Football Netball League grand final between Leitchville/Gunbower and North Bendigo may be a rematch of last year’s decider, but the Bombers have learnt from last year’s loss.
Matt Hawken’s men may have dropped their first two games of the season – a 35-point loss to the Bulldogs and a 41-point defeat at the hands of Colbinabbin – but have not been challenged since, winning their past 15 games to emulate last year’s run to the finals.
The side recorded nine 100-plus point wins this year, accumulating a percentage of 228.27 per cent – 4.18 per cent better than the Bulldogs, who also recorded a 14-2 win-loss record this season.
Leitchville/Gunbower had the lowest number of points scored against it this year (941), but fell one point short of having the most points for during the year – an honour the Bulldogs claimed with 2149 points.
Despite being similar on paper, the past three weeks have been a stark contrast for both grand finalists.
The Bulldogs went down to Huntly in the qualifying final, before defeating Colbinabbin and the Hawks in consecutive weeks to make it to the grand final.
Leitchville/Gunbower has played one match since its 164-point win against Elmore in round 18, defeating the Hawks by 58 points in the second semi-final.
Last weekend’s break has enabled the likes of assistant coach Ryan Prendergast (calf), co-captain Daniel Couwenberg (hamstring) and Daniel Coates (hamstring) to push for selection, with last night’s training session key to determining the Bombers’ final line-up.
Hawken and his brains-trust would have given quite a bit of thought to who would be suited to stopping the Bulldogs’ key forward targets, Sam Barnes and Brady Herdman.
Barnes kicked 10 goals in last weekend’s preliminary final and looms as a danger player for the Bombers.
Add in Herdman – who combined with Barnes for premierships with North Central Football League side, Wedderburn – and the pair can turn the game North Bendigo’s way, like they did last weekend.
Prendergast would be best suited to stopping Herdman, with Hoby Bussey to take on the challenge of stopping Barnes.
If Prendergast doesn’t pass a fitness test, Hawken may look to Jason Del Santo, Lee Pollock and Cam Ross to rotate through the ruck and battle with Herdman.
Jye Keath, who shut down Cheatley Medallist, Ryan Semmel in the second semi-final, will get anther tagging role, with Jarrod Findlay to be a target, whilst Jackson McEwen will have a similar role against fellow Bulldogs midfielder, Alex Shipard.
However, this game will be won or lost in Leitchville/Gunbower’s forward line. Whereas the Bulldogs rely on Barnes and Herdman, the Bombers possess numerous goalkicking options.
Matt Perri will look to continue his purple patch of form, following on from seven goals in the second semi-finals, whilst Tim Lincoln can float forward from the midfield to be just as dangerous.
Add in the skills of Adam Decicco and the support of Ayden Walton, and Leitchville/Gunbower is well positioned to go one better than 12 months ago.
PREDICTION: Leitchville/Gunbower will secure its first HDFNL premiership with a 30-point victory.
