In a battle with late-game theatrics suitable for the occasion, Mt Pleasant, survived a prolonged last gasp by North Bendigo to be crowned champions of the Heathcote District Football League seniors at Strauch Reserve.

The Mounts came out firing on the final day of the 2025 season, with Brodie Leonard-Shannon slotting one inside the first minute.

The Bulldogs didn’t wait long to draw the scores level, with a long effort from the wing evening out the playing field early.

A pair of stellar efforts by Mt Pleasant’s Jesse Tuohey and Caelan Smith gave their side an early two-goal buffer before another duo of majors went sailing through, delighting the Mounts’ faithful.

North Bendigo’s Jake Dean and Darcy Richards gave some life to their side on the stroke of quarter time, with the Mounts leading by 14.

In stark contrast to the first quarter, the second period was a slog for both sides, with neither team able to break away inside the first 10 minutes.

Richards was the saviour once more for the Dogs, banking the first major of the contest, before tall forward Mitch Bennett got things going again for Mt Pleasant.

In the lead up to half-time, the sides traded another goal each before a huge bomb from the wing by Ben Weightman gave the Mounts the last laugh before half-time, his side leading by 23 at the main break.

It was a busy start to the second half for both sides, with Mt Pleasant scoring a double early and North Bendigo keeping afloat with one of its own.

It was a party at Strauch Reserve for the Mt Pleasant faithful with another two goals added to the tally before the Dogs nailed back-to-back goals in quick succession, the Mounts ahead by 16 with ultimate glory still to play for.

It was a final frame worth of the big dance, with both teams raising the intensity down the stretch.

For North Bendigo, all seemed lost when Bryce Hinnenberg and Weightman hit the scoreboard early in the piece for Mt Pleasant.

However, the minor premiers refused to give in, sending four through the sticks in a purple patch that brought the minor premiers on the cusp of a historic comeback at the death.

Yet, the defensive tenacity and some clutch marks by best-on-ground medallist William Wallace in the midfield in the dying stages meant Mt Pleasant, a side desperate to taste finals’ success once more, captured the flag 13.11 (89) to 13.6 (84).

“We are elated just to get the win, I’ve never dealt with a year in footy quite like this in terms of emotion at the start of the year and so much adversity,” Mt Pleasant head coach Cam Carter said.

“It just galvanises the group and we just knew whatever they threw at us today and how hard it would be, we knew we had the inner strength to win.

“They kept coming, but we clung on, some of our guys at the end of the game were huge, so I’m just so proud.

“We are just a small farming community, so it means so much to all of us, the reward of the day with this result is huge for all of our supporters.

“North (Bendigo) are such a good side and are stacked with talent so we knew they were going to be relentless, but I’m so proud of our boys for hanging on in the end.”

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Sunday, 18th December 2022

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