Match Previews | STAKES are raised significantly for this weekend’s semi-finals in Agnico Eagle Fosterville Gold Mine Heathcote DFNL senior footy.

Winners of Saturday’s second semi-finals at the White Hills ground in Scott Street are first to the September 5 grand final, while it’s season over for those defeated in Sunday’s first semi-finals in Toolleen.

Another chapter in the great rivalry between Mount Pleasant and Colbinabbin will be played out in the senior footy second semi-final.

Mount Pleasant finished the home-and-away on top of the ladder as it chases back-to-back premierships.

A Blues’ team coached by Josh Hann, playing, and Cam Carter, non-playing, won both showdowns with Colbinabbin in the run to the finals.

In round four, Mount Pleasant marked a three-goal win at home against the Grasshoppers in Toolleen.

When they met in the 13th round at M.J. Morgan Oval it was the Blues who kicked clear of the Linton Jacobs-coached green and gold to win by 29 points.

As Mount Pleasant had a rest on the first weekend of the finals, Colbinabbin outplayed and outran North Bendigo to win the qualifying final at Heathcote’s Pigeon Park by 21 points.

Key inclusion for Mount Pleasant is dual premiership-winning ruckman and captain Chris Down to help counter Colbinabbin’s height.

Although he declared the ’25 grand final would be his last match, Down returned to the field.

Down’s play in 10 matches in the reserves competition earnt the Tom Morgan Medal as league fairest and best.

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