Wrapped up: Bart Phillips and Coby Cox lay on a double tackle during LBU’s win over Mount Pleasant. Photo: Josh Huntly
Lockington-Bamawm United reaffirmed its status as Heathcote District Football League flag favourite with a barnstorming win over second-placed Mount Pleasant in a top-of-the-table clash.
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A blistering five-goal-to-none first quarter set the platform for the ladder-leading Cats’ 13.16 (94) to 9.17 (71) victory at Lockington Reserve, one that sees LBU lift half a game atop the HDFL.
LBU dominated from the word go, but that domination was blunted with inaccurate kicking on goal, registering six behinds before finding their first major.
It was a stunning start nonetheless, as Mounts were held scoreless in the first quarter.
The Mounts’ retaliation came in the second quarter, but they were also their own worst enemy in front of the sticks, kicking 3.9 to head into the half-time break 19 points down.
A six-goal LBU third term laid the game to rest, and despite a late comeback to regain some scoreboard credibility, the Mounts challenge was too late to prevent the Cats earning their 12th win of the season.
Safe hands: Lachlan Atherton reels in a mark. Photo: Josh Huntly
Thomas Leeches stunning snap from the boundary sailed through the goals to sweeten the win for the LBU faithful, but he wasn’t alone in the goal-kicking stakes with 10 Cats players converting for the day.
Jarod Bacon led the way with four goals for the home side, while Cats ruck Tyler Phillips showcased some of his Cheatley Medal form with a best-on-ground performance.
Lachlan Atherton was one of the beneficiaries of Phillips’ tap-work, and the Cats’ #20 was dangerous with ball in hand all day, particularly through the second quarter.
Ben Weightman booted his second haul of five goals against LBU this season, while Sam Green, Adam Baird, and Chris Down worked hard to quell the dominant Cats.
Despite fading late in the game, LBU coach Brodie Collins said he was pleased with his side’s performance coming off the bye against a quality opponent.
“(Mount Pleasant) are good opposition, it was a really good game for us,” Collins said.
“It’s good to be on our home deck because we play this ground a little bit better I reckon, blokes feel a little more comfortable.
“I think our skills were quite good; hitting our lead-ups, creating options for each other, we were really working for each other which was great.
“We’re not reliant on four or five guys, we’re reliant on our system. That’s the most pleasing thing, just backing our teammates in and playing our brand of footy.
“We may have run out of legs there late, but we’ll address that heading into the next couple of weeks.”
LBU has now moved a game and a half clear atop the HDFL, while Mount Pleasant has been leapfrogged by Colbinabbin into second following the Hoppers’ victory over Leitchville-Gunbower on Saturday.
The Cats face North Bendigo and Colbinabbin in their final three games of the home-and-away season, with Collins describing it as the “finals before finals.”
“That’s one tick for us,” Collins said.
“We’ve got North (Bendigo) next week then we’ve got Colbo after that, so hopefully we can string a couple of wins together and play our brand of footy.
“Coming off the bye the boys responded really well and there should be some fresh bodies.
“There’s no doubt about it — we’ve got a job to do and that’s one tick done.”
Around the league, Heathcote’s 30-point win over Elmore saw the Saints jump into the top five at the expense of White Hills, while North Bendigo had a 62-point win over Huntly.
The Game
LBU: 4.8, 6.10, 12.12, 13.16 (94)
Mount Pleasant: 0.0, 3.9, 4.11, 9.17 (71)
Goals
LBU: Jarod Bacon 4, Marcus Angove, Lachlan Atherton, Jesse Collins, Jacob Gardiner, Charlie Hinks, Thomas Leech, Riley McIvor, Anthony McMahon, Tyler Phillips.
Mount Pleasant: Ben Weightman 5, Adam Baird, Chris Down, Jackson Hufer, Jesse Touhey.
