Sport

Colbo close to decider with Bulldogs shock

By Christian Marchetti

Aug 16, 2026

Former Hawthorn ruckman Ben McEvoy was among Colbinabbin’s best players as the Grasshoppers battled to a stunning Heathcote District Football League qualifying final win over North Bendigo.

Colbinabbin has moved a step closer to reaching the Heathcote District Football League grand final after defeating North Bendigo by 21 points at Barrack Reserve.

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The Grasshoppers were the lower-seeded team in the qualifying final, but kept pace with the Bulldogs during the first half.

A strong third quarter, where Colbo outscored North Bendigo 27-4, was the key to securing victory.

That dominant stretch opened up a three-goal lead for Linton Jacobs’ side entering the fourth term, where it kept the Bulldogs at bay by winning the final period 18-15 to close out the contest.

Earlier, the two sides could barely be separated, with North Bendigo kicking 2.3 in the first quarter to Colbo’s 2.2.

The second term was much of the same, with the slight difference being the Bulldogs booting one more major than the Hoppers to take a 5.4 (34) to 4.5 (29) lead into half-time.

Colbo’s strong third term set it up to complete a 26-point turnaround in the second half, the Hoppers laying on seven goals to two after the main break.

The 11.8 (74) to 7.11 (53) win for Jacobs’ side means it has now qualified for a second final, set to take on reigning premier Mount Pleasant at White Hills Recreation Reserve on Saturday, August 22.

The winner of that clash will book its spot in the grand final, Colbo up against it, facing a side it lost to on both occasions in the regular season.