Demons aim to upset Bridgewater once again
CALIVIL United will aim to beat Bridgewater for a second time this season when they clash in Saturday’s 14th round of the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League’s senior footy action.
The Demons will have home-ground advantage at Calivil for their showdown with the Mean Machine.
In round five, Calivil United won at Bridgewater by 16 points as Jacob Greenwood, three goals; Phil Ryan, Jack Burns, coach Jack Daley and Evan Ritchie played key roles.
Although the Demons have a 2-9 record they finished within five points of Mitiamo in the John Forbes Tribute match played on the Superoos’ turf last round.
A key to Calivil United’s chances will be limiting the supply to a Bridgewater attack led by Josh Martyn, 48 goals.
The Rick Ladson-coached Mean Machine also regains the classy Andy Collins from suspension.
The Demons will look for big games from the likes of Ben Daley, Jake Lawry, Mitch Avard and Jordan Lea.
Fourth on the ladder, Bridgewater is still a chance to claim a top three finish and double chance at finals time.
Players to watch in the Machine line-up include Callum Prest, Harry Donegan, Tyler Estrada, Tim Wood, Cameron Ross, Harry and Jack Symons.
Mitiamo and Inglewood clash at John Forbes Oval in Mitiamo.
The Marcus McKern-coached Superoos were under the pump from Calivil United last round, but did enough to mark the 400th game of Lucas Matthews’ senior footy career with a victory.
Key players for Mitiamo include Luke Lougoon off a half-back flank, Jack Vinnicombe, Lachlan and Nathan Twigg, Ryan Wellington, Ross Turner and Doug Thomas.
After a 3-1 start to the season, Inglewood is now 3-9.
The Darrell Billett-coached Blues have a tough run to finish.
Inglewood plays at Mitiamo this round and then takes on Marong (away), bye, Bears Lagoon Serpentine (home), and Pyramid Hill (away).
Key players for the Blues include Alex Lowe, Bregon Cotchett, Charlie Ingham, Thomas Kennedy, Luke Matheson and Cody Wright.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles mark a return to Marist College Bendigo Oval in Maiden Gully to take on Pyramid Hill.
The Eagles had the bye after a two-point victory in the round 12 clash on Newbridge’s turf at Holloway Air Riverside Oval.
Brayden Aitken, Corey Walsh, Jessi Lampi and Jonathon Carroll were best in the Eagles’ third win of the season.
The Wayne Mitrovic-coached Eagles will look to Aitken, Jason Butty, Clinton Angove and Natnael McLaren to lead the attack; Magnusson, Dwyer, Sobina and Lampi to compete well at centre clearances.
A defence led by Crisp, Turner and McCartney has a huge role to play.
The Bulldogs from Pyramid Hill will be snarling after their unbeaten run was ended by Marong.
Bailey George was the Dogs’ only multiple goalkicker last round.
A strong line-up coached by Nathan Fitzpatrick includes Brad Ladson in the centre, Adrian Holland in the ruck, Zac Dingwall, Gavin James and Brad Driscoll in defence, onballers Billy Micevski and Steve Gunther.
Marong and Newbridge meet at Malone Park.
A lot of interest will centre on Brandyn Grenfell’s race to the 100-goal mark.
The Panthers’ star kicks off the contest on 96.
In-form players for the Linton Jacobs-coached Marong include Jacob Ede, Lachlan Frankel, Corey Gregg and David Johnstone.
The Panthers also have the running power and skill of Jimmy Gadsden, Ben Gregg, Nathan Devanny, Jack McCaig and Carl Thiesz.
Newbridge put in a superb effort to win at Inglewood by nine goals.
Chris Dixon kicked six goals in the Maroons’ third win of the season as Dylan Lloyd, Tyler McLeod and Caleb Sanders starred.
It will take an enormous effort by the Luke Freeman-coached Newbridge to keep the pressure up against the Panthers across four quarters.
The Maroons will look for big games from the likes of Ryan Burt, Mitch Hocking, Austin Fithall, Caleb Argus and Corey Van Aken.
Bears Lagoon Serpentine has the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Marong 280 per cent, 44 points; Pyramid Hill 243, 40; Mitiamo 111, 32; Bridgewater 109, 28; Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 73, 20; Inglewood 64, 12; Newbridge 58, 12; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 57, 12; Calivil United 72, 8.
Leading goalkickers:
96 Brandyn Grenfell, Mar.
48 Josh Martyn, B’water.
38 Bailey George, PH.
31 Jason Butty, MGYCW.
29 Andy Gladman, BLS.
28 Jacob Greenwood, CU.
26 Andy Collins, B’water; Braidy Dickens, PH.
25 Chris Dixon, New.
23 Jay Reynolds, Miti.
22 Justin Laird, BLS.
20 Kain Robins, Mar.; Ryley Taylor, Mar.
19 Nathan Devanny, Mar.
18 Steven Gunther, PH; Ryan Wellington, Miti.
17 Charlie McGaw, I’wood.
16 Wayne Mitrovic, MGYCW.
Written by Nathan Dole.
