FOURTH in the premiership race, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine inflicted back-to-back defeats for Marong in Saturday’s round 14 action in Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL senior footy.
After an 11-nil start to the season, Marong has now been rolled in consecutive weeks by Bridgewater and then the Bears.
At the end of a closely-fought first half, BLS led 36-34 on its turf at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
The Jake Wilkinson-coached Bears then opened a four-goal buffer as they scored 6.5 in the third and kept the Panthers to a tally of 3.1.
Marong fought back to win the last, 14-2, but it was the Bears who celebrated a 79-67 victory.
Former Fremantle Dockers forward Josh Mellington kicked six goals for the Bears as James Bailey added two.
Marong’s attack was led by Michael Bradbury and co-coach Kain Robins on three and two majors.
Best for the Bears were Nash Kemp, Tyler Miles, Zach Stone, Nathan Twigg, James Bailey and Harry Gadsden.
Jacob Ede, Richard Tibbett, Lachlan Lee, Brodie Hartland, Matt Willox and Corey Gregg were best for a Marong team which has Paul Thomson as non-playing co-coach.
Bridgewater’s hot run kept rolling as it scored a 56-point victory at home against Pyramid Hill.
The Lachie Sharp-coached Mean Machine jumped over the Bulldogs to now be second on the ladder.
In what may be a qualifying final prelude it was Bridgewater which charged to a 48-27 lead by half-time.
The Mean Machine then surged through the gears as it scored six goals in the third and kept Pyramid Hill to just three behinds.
A closely-fought final quarter went Pyramid Hill’s way, 25-24, but it was Bridgewater which led 111-55 at the siren.
Oscar McKinley capped a superb match with six goals as Boden Alexander, Nic Naughton and Lachie Sharp booted three each.
Pyramid Hill’s leading goalkicker was Ryan Semmel on two.
Best for Bridgewater were co-captains Harry McKinley and Josh Martyn, Jack Merrin, Jack Milligan, Oscar McKinley and Jack Neylon.
Archie Hildebrandt, Kai Daniels, Bailey George, Jess Budarick, Gavin James and Dylan Morison were best for the Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Pyramid Hill.
Newbridge marked a 32-point win on its turf at Deepcore Drilling Riverside Oval.
The Matt McArthur-coached Newbridge beat the Demons, 99-67.
It was the Maroons’ third win of the season as Andrew Willett, Brodie Carr, Oscar Perez, Billy Schilling, Brandon Dimech and Tyler Constable were best.
A list of Newbridge’s goalkickers was not supplied.
Henry McCarthy kicked five goals and was best for Calivil United along with Jake Lawry, Lewis Fisher, Liam Stephens, Anthony Dennis and Sam Green.
The Sam Maher-coached Demons drew the opening round match against Maiden Gully YCW Eagles, but are yet to claim a victory this season.
A brilliant second quarter set up Inglewood’s win on Mitiamo’s ground at John Forbes Oval.
The Fergus Payne-coached Inglewood led 36-16 at quarter-time and then slammed on six goals as it kept the Superoos to a point in term two.
Mitiamo fought back to win the third term, 28-21.
As the in-form Kai Cavallaro capped off many attacks with five goals the Blues also had Tyler Murphy and Keelan Payne boot three majors in a 131-66 victory.
Seb Erharter added two goals for Inglewood.
Mitiamo’s attack was led by Kobe Galvin and Brayden Baines on three and two goals.
Best for Inglewood were Lachlan Ford, Tyler Murphy, Kai Cavallaro, Seb Erharter, Nathan Angelino and Lachlan Harris.
Tyler Rasmussen, Ryan Duncan, Jayden Matthews, Anthony Huismann, coach Luke Lougoon, and Kia Coatsworth were Mitiamo’s best.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles had the bye.
Loddon Valley senior footy ladder:
Marong 194 per cent, 44 points; Bridgewater 162, 44; Pyramid Hill 187, 40; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 115, 28; Inglewood 119, 24; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 74, 22; Newbridge 55, 12; Mitiamo 46, 8; Calivil United 44, 2.
In next Saturday’s round 15 action, Inglewood will be on home turf at Centre State Scaffolding Oval to play Pyramid Hill from 2.15pm.
Bears-Lagoon Serpentine is back in the den at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve to tackle Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.
Newbridge and Mitiamo will clash at Deepcore Drilling Riverside Oval in Newbridge.
Calivil United faces Bridgewater at Calivil Recreation Reserve.
Marong has the bye.
Leading goalkickers, pending update from Newbridge’s clash with Calivil United in the 14th round:
75 Lachie Sharp, Bridgewater.
60 Ben Bisset, Pyramid Hill.
49 Seb Erharter, Inglewood.
48 Josh Mellington, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
38 Ryley Taylor, Marong.
34 Kain Robins, Marong.
28 Oscar McKinley, Bridgewater.
27 Billy Schilling, Newbridge.
25 Tyler James, Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.
23 Ryan Semmel, Pyramid Hill.
22 Henry McCarthy, Calivil United.
20 Farran Priest, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
19 Zach Alford, Pyramid Hill.
19 Kai Cavallaro, Inglewood.
19 Liam Marciano, Inglewood.
18 Michael Bradbury, Marong.
18 Ben Knight, Pyramid Hill.
18 Oliver Watt, Bridgewater.
17 Brayden Baines, Mitiamo.
16 Bregon Cotchett, Inglewood.
16 Todd Delahey, Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.
15 Nic Naughton, Bridgewater.
14 Seth Wright, Mitiamo.
13 Boden Alexander, Bridgewater.
12 Luke Ellings, Bridgewater.
12 Harrison Goodes, Pyramid Hill.
12 Angus Monfries, Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.
11 Justin Laird, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
11 Jack McCaig, Marong.
11 Daniel Polack, Inglewood.
11 Jed Zimmer, Newbridge.
10 Mitch Cheesman, Pyramid Hill.
10 Nathan Devanny, Marong.
10 Kobe Galvin, Mitiamo.
10 Noah McCaig, Marong.
10 Liam Stephens, Calivil United.