As the Heathcote District Football League season begins to reach the pointy end, every game comes under a microscope, particularly in the fight for finals.

Leitchville-Gunbower, one of the sides battling for the last of five finals places, would have been targeting the weekend’s fixture, against a lower-ranked Huntly, as an important four points on its finals quest.

However, a very different game eventuated at Strauch Reserve and, instead, the Hawks put in one of their best shifts of the year to easily account for a Bombers side below its best 14.8 (92) to 7.7 (49).

The signs were evident early when the hosts burst out to a four-goal lead by quarter-time and, though the second quarter was more even, the Hawks led 51-22 at the main break.

Leitchville at least slowed the descent in a neck-and-neck third quarter, but any hopes of a comeback were quashed as Huntly kicked five goals to three in the final term to walk away a comfortable winner.

Jack Dye kicked four for the beaten Bombers in a good performance, but only three others found majors.

Sam Dunstan matched the entire Leitchville side on his own with seven majors.

The Bombers are out of the finals by a single win as things stand, Lockington Bamawm the only realistic side they could hope to overtake in the remaining weeks.

Leitchville does have a game in hand over the Cats, having already taken its second bye, and has five more matches remaining.

With top sides Colbinabbin and North Bendigo still on the horizon on the Bombers’ run home, Saturday’s encounter between Leitchville and Lockington could be the decider for who plays finals and who doesn’t.

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Tuesday, 5th February 2030

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