HDFL | Mounts too good for Leitchville Gunbower

Hoping to cause one of the upsets of the season, the Bombers got off to a great start, booting the game’s opening two goals, but a Mount Pleasant fightback saw the visitors lead by 21 at quarter-time.

Leitchville Gunbower persevered in the second term and three goals to one saw it trim the margin to just 14 points at half-time — its second-lowest deficit at the break this season.

But the second-placed Mounts kicked things up a notch and showed their premiership credentials in the second half as they blew the game wide open.

Mount Pleasant kicked eight goals and held LG goalless in the third term, kicking 11 goals to two in the second half overall.

Bombers coach Tim Bannan said he was pleased with the way his side started the game, but admitted errors in the second half hurt it dearly.

“We had a really good start and I think we set up really well. It was probably our best first half of the year,” Bannan said.

“We just had a lapse for about eight minutes in that third quarter and they got away from us. We know they are a good side. They are a good side by foot and they run well and credit to them they turned it on.”

Bannan said he thought his side did well to stick to its game plan in the first half.

“We worked really hard to stay in the game,” he said.

“We kept possession well and we stuck to our structures. When we went inside 50 we kicked to space and let the forwards led onto it, rather than kicking to that 50-50 contest.

“Our concentration just went away in the second half.”

Blake Azzopardi, Nathan McLellan and Bailey Taylor each had two goals for LG, while Fletcher White booted four majors for Mount Pleasant.

Bannan said Azzopardi and McLellan were two of the standout performers in his eyes.

“Blake has been crook all week so I thought his game was fantastic,” he said.

“I think Matt McLellan was our best for the day. He was getting used to playing senior footy last year and all of a sudden it’s clicked this year.

“He works his opponent under the footy and he marks well. It’s really pleasing that he’s done the pre-season and worked really hard.”

The win sees Mount Pleasant hold on to second spot on the Heathcote District Football Netball League ladder, while on the flip side, the loss means LG remains in last place.