NORTH BENDIGO and Leitchville/Gunbower will play in a third consecutive Heathcote District Football Netball League grand final this weekend.
The Bulldogs defeated Huntly by 36 points in Saturday’s preliminary final, but have lost Tyson Findlay for the final match of the season after the midfielder succumb to a serious hamstring injury in the second quarter.
Former Bomber, Joel Helman was helped from the field thanks to an ankle injury, but is predicted to make a full recovery and take on his former side.
Earlier in the match, the Hawks – who defeated Colbinabbin in the first semi-final – booted three of the first four goals of the match, but the two-time defending premiers controlled the game after quarter time.
Sam Barnes, Sean Morris and Aarryn Craig booted two goals each for the Bulldogs, with Ryan Semmel the only multiple goalkicker for the Hawks.
Nick Waterson and Daniel Morris were best on ground for the victors, with Jack Daley and Steven Kairn playing well for the Hawks.
Mixed emotions for young Bombers
IT was a weekend of mixed results for two of Leitchville/Gunbower’s younger sides.
The Bombers’ under 17 footballers can defend their premiership this weekend against Lockington Bamawm United following a 10-point win in Saturday’s preliminary final against North Bendigo.
In what proved to be a see-sawing encounter, the Bombers kept the Bulldogs goalless in the opening half, but the minor premiers rallied to level scores with one term to play.
However, a three-goal to two final term secured a second consecutive grand final berth for the Bombers.
It is a different story for the club’s under 17 netballers, who lost to Colbinabbin by two goals after dropping the second semi-final one week earlier.
