Sport

Bombers fall short of second half comeback

By Christian Marchetti

Apr 12, 2026

Leitchville-Gunbower and Mount Pleasant opened the 2026 Heathcote District Football League season with a thrilling clash on Saturday. Photo: Jordan Townrow

Leitchville-Gunbower has fallen to an agonising defeat to reigning premier Mount Pleasant in its Heathcote District Football League season opener.

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The Bombers 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.

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

The visitors 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).

Joel Donehue’s side fared better in the third, kicking four majors, the same number it 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).

Next up, the Bombers are at home again, this time against a Heathcote side that had the bye in round one.