Heathcote District Football League returned with a bang on Saturday as round one dished up four thrilling encounters with Colbinabbin keeping Elmore at arm’s-length, Lockington notching a surprise win over North Bendigo and reigning premier Mount Pleasant doing enough to beat Leitchville-Gunbower.

Colbinabbin headed to Elmore Recreation Reserve in one of three night games in round one, the potential premiership contender Grasshoppers looking to get early runs on the board, the Swans aiming to make a strong start at home.

The first quarter was fairly even, with Colbo slightly edging proceedings to lead by 14 at the first interval after kicking three goals to Elmore’s one.

It was in the second period where Linton Jacobs’ side upped the ante, adding another four majors and again holding the hosts to one, taking a five-goal lead into half-time, 7.8 (50) to 2.7 (19).

But Elmore would respond after the main break, chipping away at the margin, but ultimately having too steep a hill to climb.

The Swans kicked five goals to Colbo’s two in the second half, the visitors being held to 1.3 in each quarter, but doing enough to hold off a comeback, triumphing 9.14 (68) to 7.11 (53).

Elmore’s James Harney led the goal-kicking tally for his side with three majors, while Colbinabbin skipper William Lowe chipped in with two goals.

The best players for the home side included Lachie Munro, Peter Rothacker, Matthew O'Dwyer, Jake Dick-O'Flaherty, Jarrad Kyne and Joseph Harney, while Jude Ryan, Aidan Basile, Toby Howlett, Nathan Basile, Tanner Nally and Laine Fitzgerald received the honours for Colbo.

Elmore will have the bye in round two, while Colbinabbin is on the road again, taking on North Bendigo on Saturday in an intriguing match-up between two finals sides from last year.

LBU v North Bendigo

Without a finals appearance in three seasons Lockington Bamawm United entered its round one opener keen to return to the post-season against a North Bendigo side coming off the back of a grand final defeat in 2025.

The Cats had the perfect opportunity to stake an early claim as to why they should be in the finals mix this season and from the off went toe-to-toe with the Bulldogs, the two sides deadlocked at quarter-time after each kicked 3.3.

The second term was almost identical, North Bendigo kicking 3.4 as Lockington recorded 3.3 again, the Bulldogs taking a one point lead into the main break, 6.7 (43) to 6.6 (42).

The game was waiting for one of the sides to seize the initiative and Lockington answered the call in the third, kicking three goals and holding the visitors to two behinds to open up a 17-point lead heading into the fourth.

The final term would be the inverse of the third, North Bendigo booting two majors and this time keeping Lockington to two behinds, with only a minor difference in inaccuracy separating the two sides in the end, the Cats prevailing 9.10 (64) to 8.12 (60).

Lockington had eight contributors in the goal-kicking department, with Thomas Leech leading the way with two majors, while its best players included Cooper Mitchell, Tyler Phillips, Marcus Angove, Stuart Taylor, Jack O’Callaghan and Jacob Gardiner.

Jayden Howe’s side will have its tail up after a statement round one victory, but will have to refocus ahead of a trip to White Hills in round two, the Demons also fresh off a first up win.

Leitchville-Gunbower v Mount Pleasant

Leitchville-Gunbower and Mount Pleasant opened the season league-wide in the only afternoon start on Saturday, the two sides, favoured to make finals this year, facing off in an anticipated round one clash.

Reigning premier Pleasant got off to a solid start, building an 11-point quarter-time lead, with only inaccuracy preventing the margin from being more.

Cam Carter’s side would convert with greater efficiency in the second term, booting four goals to the Bombers’ two and opening up a comfortable 25-point half-time lead, 7.10 (52) to 4.3 (27).

The Bombers fared better in the third, kicking four majors, the same number they managed in the entire first half, but only slightly reducing the margin to 20 points at three-quarter time.

Perhaps seeing the light at the end of the tunnel too early, Mount Pleasant struggled in the final period, registering one behind, with the Bombers kicking a further two majors.

But late inaccuracy cost Leitchville-Gunbower from pulling off what seemed an unlikely win, the Mighty Mounts prevailing 10.13 (73) to 10.8 (68).

Mount Pleasant’s Ben Weightman led all goal-kickers with four, picking up right where he left off in 2025, with he, Jack Hickman, Alex Wharton, Xavier Carter, Deklan Wille and Adam Triplett also being the side’s best players.

Next up, Carter’s team plays its first home game of the season against Huntly.

The Hawks went down to White Hills in the other game in round one, the two sides playing out a low-scoring affair.

The Demons started stronger to lead comfortably at the main break and they did enough to win despite only kicking one goal in the second half, prevailing 8.12 (60) to 7.6 (48).

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Thursday, 26th March 2026

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