Sport

Bombers go toe-to-toe with the HDFL’s top dogs

By Oliver Shedden

Aug 17, 2025

Jobee Warde was named best-on-ground for his work against North Bendigo. Photo: Jordan Townrow.

In the last round of the Heathcote District Football League home and away season, Leitchville-Gunbower put the league on notice for the finals with a swashbuckling effort against the competition’s top dog.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

While the Bombers didn’t get the reward they battled so hard for against North Bendigo, their effort will give the side confidence against lesser opponents in the post-season.

Travelling to North Bendigo for the clash, L-G was under siege from the jump, eking out one goal in the first quarter, while the Bulldogs smashed through seven to race out to an early 37-point advantage.

North Bendigo came back down to earth in the second period despite still kicking three goals, with the Bombers building confidence thanks to a tidy 2.2 effort by half-time.

The Bulldogs (1.3) lost their goal-kicking mojo after the major break, with neither side able to kick goals easily, but L-G (2) was able to outscore the ladder-leaders for the first time in the game.

With North Bendigo’s lead at 38 at the start of the final frame, the game seemed home and hosed for the Bulldogs, but the Bombers dropped five majors on them while holding the hosts to one more game to give them an almighty scare.

While L-G still lost the game 10.6 (66) to 12.9 (81), its late surge in the fourth quarter proved there is plenty of resilience and fight in the fifth-placed side heading into finals.

Speaking of finals, if the Bombers want to make a run to the grand final like they did last year, they’ll have to best Huntly in a win-or-go-home elimination final at North Bendigo Oval on Saturday.