Blues mark consecutive victories in stunning start
IT HAS taken many years, but Inglewood marked consecutive victories on Saturday to cap a great start to the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League’s senior footy action.
The Blues were back on home turf at Inglewood to face Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.
Inglewood was determined to show a first-up win at Calivil was no fluke as it raced to a 32-22 led by quarter-time.
The Blues held a 23-point buffer at half-time and then put the result beyond doubt as they slammed on 9.1 to 2.5 in the third quarter.
Traiton Kendal went on to kick a match-high five goals and the in-form Alex Lowe added four as Inglewood won 23.11 (149) to 12.15 (87).
The Darrell Billett-coached Blues showed they have plenty of attacking options as Charlie Ingham, Charlie McGaw, Taj Rodwell, Kyle Simpson and Cody Wright chipped in with two goals each.
Leading goalkicker for the Eagles were Jason Butty, four, coach Wayne Mitrovic, and Nathan Murley, three.
It was best afield honours for Alex Lowe once again as Bregon Cotchett, Charlie McGaw, Cody Stobaus, Nathan Angelino and Cody Wright starred for the Blues.
Best for the Eagles were Mitchell Dean, Chris Howgate, Grayson Brown, Hunter McDonald, Jessi Lampi and Hamish Rookes.
Marong key forwards Brandyn Grenfell and Kain Robins starred in the Panthers victory against Bridgewater at Marong’s Malone Park.
Tallies of six and five goals by Grenfell and Robins played a key part in the Panthers scoring a 133-56 victory.
The Rick Ladson-coached Bridgewater started well to lead 17-15 at quarter-time.
Marong dominated most of the second term and led 49-31 by half-time.
In the final hour it was Marong which slammed on 12.12 to 3.7.
Although Grenfell and Robins were the main targets in attack, Marong also had Trent Fisher and David Johnstone chip in with two goals each.
Bridgewater’s attack was led by Lloyd Needs, three, and former Richmond and Carlton player Andy Collins on two.
Best for Marong were Nathan Walsh, Adam Ward, Patrick Gretgrix, former coach Corey Gregg, David Johnstone and Brodie Hartland.
Bridgewater’s best were gun recruit Harry Donegan, Callum Prest, Lloyd Needs, Michael Brooks, Emile Pavlich and Sam Dewar.
Bears Lagoon Serpentine clawed its way to a 97-93 victory against Calivil United at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Recreation Reserve.
The Bears and Demons were both on the rebound from defeat.
Justin Laird marked his first victory as BLS coach and kicked three goals.
The Bears’ attack was led by Rhonen Maher on four as the classy Harrison Gadsden chipped in with three.
Jacob Greenwood marked his first match for Calivil United by booting a team-high four goals and being best as Mitch Avard and Lachlan Mangan added two each.
Best for the Bears were Josh Walsh, Kalem Paxton, Zachary Stone, Justin Laird, Bailey Harrison and Charlie Gadsden.
Calivil United’s best were Greenwood, Phil Ryan, Brock Rogers, Nick McPherson, Lachlan Mangan and Corey Pearse.
Newbridge put up a great fight against Mitiamo on the Maroons turf at Holloway Air Riverside Oval.
The Maroons led 26-16 at quarter-time before the Superoos surged to a 41-34 lead by main break.
Quarter three was to be a crucial one as Mitiamo added two goals and held the Maroons to just two points.
Led by the play of Luke Lougoon, Ryan Wellington and Jarryd Wiegard, Mitiamo kept the winning run rolling in an 11.7 (73) to 6.8 (44) result.
Jay Reynolds kicked three goals for the Superoos as Zac Gray and Ryan Wellington added two each.
Last season’s Harding medallist and gun onballer , Harry Whittle kicked two goals for the Maroons.
Best for the Marcus McKern-coached Mitiamo included Declan Bevan, Matt Grant and Jack Vinnicombe.
Caleb Sanders, Harry Whittle, Brandon Etherington, Jordan Formosa, Dylan Lloyd and Logan Dixon were best for the Luke Freeman-coached Newbridge.
Pyramid Hill had the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Marong 343 per cent, 8 points; Mitiamo 271, 8; Inglewood 160, 8; Pyramid Hill 141, 4; Bears Lagoon Serpentine 59, 4; Calivil United 82, 0; Newbridge 60, 0; Bridgewater 51, 0; Maiden Gully YCW 37, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
14 Brandyn Grenfell, Mar.; 10 Kain Robins, Mar.; 7 Jay Reynolds, Miti.; 6 Jason Butty, MGYCW; 6 Charlie Ingham, I’wood; 6 Thomas Kennedy, I’wood; 6 Adrian Pappin, Mar.; 5 Traiton Kendal, I’wood; 5 Alex Lowe, I’wood; 5 Cody Stobaus, I’wood.
There will be no matches on the Easter holiday weekend.
Round three will be played on April 23 at 2.15pm:
Mitiamo and Marong meet in the match of the day at John Forbes Oval in Mitiamo.
Pyramid Hill plays Bears Lagoon Serpentine at Mitchell Park.
Bridgewater faces the in-form Inglewood at Bridgewater Recreation Reserve.
Maiden Gully YCW and Newbridge will aim to chalk up their first win of the season at Marist College in Maiden Gully.
Calivil United has the bye.
Written by Nathan Dole.