However, there is one team you’ll want to keep an eye on down the stretch as a potential last-minute entry into the 2025 finals series.
Lockington-Bamawm United will be the team to watch in the last couple of games of the Heathcote District Football League season as it sits a game back from finals following a huge win over Elmore in round 16.
Travelling to Elmore Recreation Reserve for a date with the lower-ranked Bloods and needing to be perfect in the last three rounds to make the finals, the Cats made a good account of themselves in the opening quarter.
Nailing four goals and as many behinds, while limiting Elmore to one of each, LBU asserted its dominance from the jump.
Keeping their opponent to one more goal in the first half, the Cats piled on the hurt with a stunning five-goal effort to up its lead to 46 points at the major break.
It was a much closer affair following the break, as Elmore booted five goals in the third term, despite LBU keeping hold of the game with six.
For the first time all game, the Bloods (4.0) outscored the Cats (2.5) down the stretch, but it wasn’t enough to make much of a dent in an already formidable lead, with LBU winning the day 17.12 (114) to 11.4 (70).
Tyler Phillips was once again named best for the Cats, feeding James Brentnall and Matthew Butler up front, who kicked six and five goals, respectively.
In his 200th game for LBU, Jeremy Mundie also featured in the best-on list, kicking two goals at centre half-forward.
LBU will have to be at its best in round 17 when it hosts league-leading North Bendigo before finishing its season against White Hills.
Colbinabbin v White Hills
A team in a strong position to be crowned 2025 champion took on the reigning HDFL premiers in what was a blowout victory for Colbinabbin.
It was apparent from the start that this was set to be a one-sided affair at White Hills Recreation Reserve.
Piling on nine goals in the first quarter and six in the second, the Grasshoppers came narrowly close to recording triple figures in the first half alone, while the Demons tallied just 20 points for their work.
A downturn in the third term meant things only got worse for White Hills, remaining goal-less in the third term while coming home strong with three majors in the final quarter.
Meanwhile, it was one way traffic as Colbo nailed six goals in each of the last two quarters to sail to a staggering 27.19 (181) to 6.7 (43) victory.
Brandyn Grenfell had a day in front of goal, tallying seven goals, while Nathan Basille was named best-on.
The Grasshoppers will have an interesting run home, playing Huntly in round 17 before finishing off against its closest contemporary in Mount Pleasant in round 18.
Mount Pleasant v Huntly
Speaking of the Mounts and the Hawks, it was another decimation at Strauch Reserve as Mount Pleasant laid waste to fourth-placed Huntly.
The Mounts went from strength to strength throughout the match, nailing seven goals in the first half and shutting down the Hawks on defence, with Huntly managing just three goals before the major break.
A nine-goal blitz in the third term blew-out an already solid Mounts lead, with the Hawks jagging one back in reply before a five-goal barrage carried the Mounts to a whopping 100-point victory over a team destined to play finals.
The final score was 21.19 (145) to 6.9 (45), with Brodie Leonard-Shannon and Ben Weightman both kicking four goals.
With a bye in round 17, Mount Pleasant will play just one more game this home-and-away season against Colbinabbin before turning its head towards the finals.
North Bendigo v Heathcote
In what was always going to be a victory, the Bulldogs laid waste to eighth-placed Heathcote at North Bendigo Oval.
Outside a small third term fightback by the Saints (4.2), they were kept to two goals or under in every other quarter, while the Bulldogs piled on five goals in each of the first three quarters before going nuclear in the final term, booting 11.2.
Bailey Cain and Cody Riddick led the way with four goals as the top-ranked side steam-rolled the league’s namesake 26.17 (173) to 8.3 (51).