Colbinabbin completed consecutive unbeaten regular seasons in the Heathcote District Netball League with a dominant win over Lockington-Bamawm United in round 17. Photos: Jordan Townrow.
The finals line-up for the Heathcote District Netball League has been set with one round to play.
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The competition’s top two, Colbinabbin and Mount Pleasant, have been locked in to the post-season for some time, and the duo will be joined by Elmore, the Bloods securing their place with a victory over Huntly in round 17.
The round
Colbinabbin 90 d Lockington-Bamawm United 27
Elmore 49 d Huntly 36
North Bendigo 51 d Leitchville-Gunbower 41
White Hills 80 d Heathcote 31
Mount Pleasant bye
Colbinabbin vs Lockington-Bamawm United
Colbinabbin’s Olivia McEvoy looks for a teammate.
Colbinabbin completed a perfect regular season with a 63-goal mauling of Lockington-Bamawm United at Colbinabbin Recreation Reserve.
The Grasshoppers had more than tripled LBU’s score by the first break, leading 26-7.
LBU’s Remee Christian catches a pass.
Although the Cats’ best attacking period came in the second quarter, scoring nine goals, they still trailed 44-16 at half-time.
Colbo added another 17 to its tally in the third period to extend its lead to 38 goals entering the fourth.
Jessie Hardess attempts to stop Matilda McIntyre from catching the ball in the goal circle.
Jen McIntrye’s team didn’t let up despite having its 16th win of the season well and truly secured, as the Hoppers laid on 29 fourth quarter goals to LBU’s four.
The result was a dominant 90-27 win, the third time in 2026 that Colbo has scored more than 90 goals.
Ella Kervin stretches for the catch.
The Hoppers have not tasted defeat in the competition since they lost the 2024 grand final to Elmore and will enter this year’s finals as favourites to go back-to-back.
As minor premier, Colbo will sit out the first week of the post-season before facing the winner of the match-up between second and third, which will be Mount Pleasant against White Hills.
Annalesa Turner attempts to get the ball under her control.
Along with that first week off, the Hoppers are also serving the bye for the final round of the regular season, meaning McIntrye’s side has an extended break before returning to the court.
Meanwhile, LBU’s season will come to an end after its final game against Elmore, having been eliminated from post-season contention.
Stacy Bacon is guarded by Tanzin Myers as she looks for a teammate.
Despite missing out on finals again, the Cats (4-11) have won more games in 2026 after finishing with a 3-13 record in 2025.
Elmore vs Huntly
Tanzin Myers looks to throw a one-handed pass.
Elmore will feature in the finals after it defeated Huntly to secure its spot in the competition’s top five.
The Bloods were only two points clear of the Hawks heading into the fixture at Elmore Recreation Reserve, with the result having major ramifications for the post-season race.
Sarah Eade restarts play from the centre.
Elmore was the form side, given it had won four of its previous five matches, and proved so in a 49-36 win.
Huntly’s finals hopes were ended with the result, with the sixth-placed Hawks six points adrift of fourth-placed North Bendigo and fifth-placed Elmore with a game to play.
Chelsea Whittle jumps to block a pass from Sarah Eade.
The Bulldogs and Bloods, both with a 7-8 record, will face each other in the first week of finals in an elimination fixture.
Elmore closes its regular season campaign with a visit to LBU, looking to keep its momentum for the crucial clash.
Kasey Condor looks up the court.
North Bendigo will also be on the road, taking on Huntly and looking to finish its season on a three-game winning streak, having defeated Leitchville-Gunbower 51-41 in round 17.
The weekend’s only other game saw White Hills thrash Heathcote 80-31, the Saints now confirmed to finish bottom for the second straight year.
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