LEITCHVILLE/GUNBOWER will look for a direct passage into September 9’s Heathcote District Football Netball League grand final with a second semi-final win against minor premiers, North Bendigo tomorrow.
Despite defeating the Bulldogs by 50 points when the teams last met in round 16, history will be against the competition’s northernmost side, with the Bombers yet to produce a finals win against the two-time defending premiers.
Tomorrow will be the best chance Matt Hawken’s side will have in breaking this hoodoo, with a number of Bulldogs players still unavailable through injury.
North Bendigo will recall key forward Rhys Ford – who has missed the past five weeks due to a knee injury – with Brady Herdman and Sam Barnes to also play after returning from hamstring injuries late in the home and away season.
The Bombers will also make at least two changes, with Daniel Couwenberg and Adam Decicco set to return after missing last weekend’s 52-point qualifying final win against Colbinabbin due to having the flu.
Hawken will have a full contingent of players to choose from, enabling the Bombers to target some of the key battles needed to progress to next month’s decider at Huntly.
If the Bombers are to win, Hoby Bussey and Ryan Prendergast need to stop Barnes and Herdman in the Bulldogs’ forward 50, whilst Matt Perri and Tim Lincoln will need to be prolific in Leitchville/Gunbower’s attacking third of the ground.
Michael Pilcher and Lee Pollock will have an advantage in the ruck battle thanks to the absence of North Bendigo ruckman, Brett Strange – who is out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury.
However, despite this dominance, it will be up to Matt Ladson, Brad Ladson and Couwenberg to stop Tyson Findlay, Sean Morris and Aarryn Craig from getting the ball for the Bulldogs.
PREDICTION: Having last weekend off may be a hindrance for North Bendigo, with Leitchville/Gunbower to win by 10 points.
