Sport

Locky makes round one statement

By Christian Marchetti

Apr 12, 2026

Lockington started the new Heathcote District Football League season with a win over North Bendigo.

Lockington Bamawm United has claimed a major scalp in its Heathcote District Football League season opener, defeating last year’s runner-up North Bendigo by four points.

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Without a finals appearance in three seasons, Lockington entered its round one opener keen to return to the post-season against a North Bendigo side coming off the back of a grand final defeat in 2025.

Will Gilmore and Brayden Hull approach the ball.

The Cats had the perfect opportunity to stake an early claim as to why they should be in the finals mix this season and from the off went toe-to-toe with the Bulldogs, the two sides deadlocked at quarter-time after each kicked 3.3.

The second term was almost identical, North Bendigo kicking 3.4 as Lockington recorded 3.3 again, the Bulldogs taking a one point lead into the main break, 6.7 (43) to 6.6 (42).

Lachlan Holthuisen watches the ball onto his boot.

The game was waiting for one of the sides to seize the initiative and Lockington answered the call in the third, kicking three goals and holding the visitors to two behinds to open up a 17-point lead heading into the fourth.

The final term would be the inverse of the third, North Bendigo booting two majors and this time keeping Lockington to two behinds, with only a minor difference in inaccuracy separating the two sides in the end, the Cats prevailing 9.10 (64) to 8.12 (60).

Jordan Hargreaves and Tyler Phillips contest the ball.

Jayden Howe’s side will have its tail up after a statement round one victory, but will have to refocus ahead of a trip to White Hills in round two, the Demons also fresh off a first up win.