MAIDEN Gully YCW Eagles has eyes on grabbing the fifth rung by the end of Saturday’s 12th round across Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL senior footy.
A win for the Eagles against Newbridge and Inglewood loss at Bridgewater will result in a change in positions.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles will make their way to Deepcore Drilling Riverside Oval in Newbridge to take on the Maroons from 2.15pm.
When these clubs met on Anzac Day it was the Eagles who soared to a 54-30 win under the Marist College lights.
The Eagles are on the rebound from a 77-point defeat at Bridgewater last round.
Newbridge had the bye in round 11.
Among the key match-ups for Newbridge will coach Matt McArthur at full-back against Tyler James, Tyler Constable in the centre opposed to Tyson Jackson, and Brandon Dimech in attack against Ed Crisp.
Other players to watch for Newbridge are Billy Schilling at full-forward, ruck-rover Jed Zimmer, Dylan Lloyd and Andrew Padbury in defence.
The Eagles have experienced ruckman Daniel Russell to team up with captain Josh Worsley and Anthony Robins.
Big roles will be played in Maiden Gully YCW’s defence by Leo Bosley, Grayson Brown and Mitch Hill.
The Eagles are jointly coached by Shawn Filo and Angus Monfries.
It’s third against fifth as Bridgewater will be on home turf against Inglewood.
Back in round three it was Bridgewater which fought on for an 85-78 win at Inglewood’s Centre State Scaffolding Oval.
Bridgewater coach and gun forward Lachie Sharp looms as a major headache for the Blues’ defence.
Best for Bridgewater in last Saturday’s win against the Eagles were midfielder Luke Ellings, Darcy Ferguson, Nic Naughton and Tyler Estrada.
A forward for most of his senior footy career, Josh Martyn is starring in defence for the Mean Machine.
Bridgewater’s squad includes Harry Conway, Oliver Watt, Harry Symons and captain Harry McKinley.
Strong defence on every line will be a key to the chances of Inglewood upsetting the Machine.
The Fergus Payne-coached Blues are on the rebound from a 31-point loss to Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
Players to watch for Inglewood include Liam Marciano, Kai Cavallaro, Bregon Cotchett, Seb Erharter, Thomas Guerra and captain Nathan Angelino.
Marong Panthers will be back in their den at Jackal Oval in Malone Park to take on Calivil United.
The reigning premier is likely to have too much scoring power for the Demons.
Targets in Marong’s attack include Ryley Taylor, Matt Willox, and the skilful Ben and Corey Gregg at ground level.
Marong has Michael Bradbury in the ruck, Jack McCaig in the centre, and Brodke Hartland and Nathan Walsh leading a tight-knit defence.
Panthers’ playing coach Kain Robins will be on the sidelines with non-playing coach Paul Thomson for this match.
The Sam Maher-coached Demons will be determined the margin is much closer than the 115 points it was in round three at Calivil.
Huge task for Calivil United defenders Will Hamilton, Lewis Fisher, Rhys Lourie and Riley Walsh.
The Demons have Jack Bombardieri in the centre, Jayden Leach in the ruck, Anthony Dennis and Kade Blow in attack.
Mitiamo faces Pyramid Hill on the Superoos’ turf at Mitiamo’s John Forbes Oval.
In round three the Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Pyramid Hill beat Mitiamo by 98 points.
The Superoos will have gained a lot of confidence from last Saturday’s one-goal win at Calivil.
In-form players for the Luke Lougoon-coached Mitiamo are Anthony Huismann, Zak Myers and Zach Morrison.
Andrew Cussen kicked a season-high six goals.
Huge challenge for the Superoos against a Bulldogs’ line-up snarling from a 47-point loss at home to Marong.
The Pyramid Hill squad to play at Mitiamo includes Mitch and Jasper Cheesman, Bailey George, Mitch Gunther, Ben Knight and Dylan Morison.
Athletic ruckman Kai Daniels is likely to set up plenty of attacks.
Bears-Lagoon Serpentine has the bye.
Loddon Valley senior footy ladder:
Marong 215 per cent, 40 points; Pyramid Hill 191, 32; Bridgewater 153, 32; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 122, 24; Inglewood 117, 16; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 68, 14; Newbridge 47, 8; &Mitiamo 45, 4; ^Calivil United 43, 2.
Leading goalkickers:
63 Lachie Sharp, Bridgewater.
48 Josh Mellington, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
45 Ben Bisset, Pyramid Hill.
44 Seb Erharter, Inglewood.
29 Ryley Taylor, Marong.
27 Kain Robins, Marong.
23 Billy Schilling, Newbridge.
21 Tyler James, Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.
20 Farran Priest, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
19 Ryan Semmel, Pyramid Hill.
18 Zach Alford, Pyramid Hill.
17 Oscar McKinley, Bridgewater.
15 Ben Knight, Pyramid Hill.
15 Oliver Watt, Bridgewater.
14 Brayden Baines, Mitiamo.
13 Bregon Cotchett, Inglewood.
13 Liam Marciano, Inglewood.
13 Henry McCarthy, Calivil United.
11 Michael Bradbury, Marong.
11 Kai Cavallaro, Inglewood.
11 Luke Ellings, Bridgewater.
11 Daniel Polack, Inglewood.
10 Boden Alexander, Bridgewater.
10 Nathan Devanny, Marong.
10 Harrison Goodes, Pyramid Hill.
10 Justin Laird, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
10 Jack McCaig, Marong.