MARONG and Mitiamo meet in the Annette Grant Memorial Round in Saturday’s footy and netball matches across the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL.
The Panthers have home ground and court advantage at Jackal Oval in Marong’s Malone Park for a 2.15pm start.
As teams strive for premiership points the day is also a fund-raiser for research and treatment of Pancreatic Cancer.
On the footy front victory would put Marong back on top of the ladder and a week’s rest when the finals series begins.
When these clubs met in round eight it was Marong which marked a 124-point win at Mitiamo’s John Forbes Oval.
A powerful Marong attack includes Shaun Knott, co-coach Kain Robins, Ryley Taylor and captain Nathan Devanny.
Will be a huge test for Mitiamo defenders Leighton Driscoll, Jayden Matthews, Jack Daglish and coach Luke Lougoon.
In the on-ball duels Marong has ruckman Michael Bradbury to team up with Lachlan Lee, Jack McCaig and Ben Gregg.
Mitiamo’s on-ball group is captain Ryan Duncan, Matt Gilmour, Cody Tuohey and Zach Morrison.
An experienced Marong defence led by Matt Willox, Richard Tibbett and Shannon Geary will make it tough for Superoos’ forwards Alex Lloyd, Zak Myers and Andrew Cussen.
The Panthers have Paul Thomson as non-playing co-coach.
Bears-Lagoon Serpentine will be back on home turf at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve to play Newbridge.
In round eight the Jake Wilkinson coached Bears beat the Maroons by 131 points.
Fourth in the premiership race, BLS will be fine-tuning its game leading into the finals.
Gun forward Josh Mellington has kicked 62 goals in nine matches for the Bears this season.
A strong squad in the purple and gold includes Harding medallist Justin Laird, Tyler Miles, captain Charlie Gadsden, Jaxon Addlem, Nathan Twigg and Callum Draper.
It’s likely to be another busy afternoon for Newbridge’s defence.
Key players for the Maroons include coach Matt McArthur, Billy Schilling, Ben McKinley, Brandon Dimech, Caleb Sanders, Caleb Argus and Dylan Lloyd.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles will tackle Inglewood at Maiden Gully’s Marist College Oval.
Just 19 points separated these teams when Inglewood won at Centre State Scaffolding Oval in round eight.
Highlight of Inglewood’s four-match winning streak in July was a 44-point win at home against Pyramid Hill.
Although it cannot play finals the Shawn Filo and Angus Monfries-coached Maiden Gully YCW has played well to record 5 ½ wins.
Key players for the Eagles include Grayson Brown, Ed Crisp, Todd Delahey, Stacy Fiske, Daniel Russell and captain Josh Worsley.
In-form players for Inglewood include Bregon Cotchett, Tyler Murphy and Gabe Nevins.
Others to watch for the Blues include Bowen Cauchi, Kai Cavallaro Seb Erharter and Liam Marciano.
Calivil United faces a huge task against Pyramid Hill.
The Sam Maher-coached Demons will be on home turf in Calivil.
Pyramid Hill beat the Demons by 157 points in round eight.
Been a tough run for the red and blue who drew with Maiden Gully YCW in the opening round.
Key players for Calivil United include ruckman Jayden Leach, Henry McCarthy, Ronan Sheehan, Sam Green and Tommi Raukola in defence.
The Demons have Lewis Fisher, Theo Dipane and Anthony Dennis as targets in attack.
Expect a strong response from Pyramdi Hill which was beaten by Bridgewater and Inglewood rolling into last Saturday’s bye.
Players to watch for the Bulldogs include athletic ruckman Kai Daniels, Harrison Goodes in the centre, Jasper Cheesman and Mitch Gunther on the wings, and rover Archie Hildebrandt.
A powerful attack in red, white and blue is led by Scott Mann, Mitch Dingwall and Levi Moss.
Bridgewater has the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Bridgewater 189 per cent, 52 points; Marong 200, 48; Pyramid Hill 171, 40; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 124, 36; Inglewood 131, 32; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 70, 22; Mitiamo 51, 12; Newbridge 49, 12; Calivil United 38, 2.
Leading goalkickers:
98 Lachie Sharp, Bridgewater.
64 Ben Bisset, Pyramid Hill.
62 Josh Mellington, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
56 Seb Erharter, Inglewood.
38 Ryley Taylor, Marong.
35 Kain Robins, Marong.
35 Billy Schilling, Newbridge.
28 Oscar McKinley, Bridgewater.
26 Tyler James, Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.
23 Henry McCarthy, Calivil United.
23 Ryan Semmel, Pyramid Hill.
21 Kai Cavallaro, Inglewood.
20 Farran Priest, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
19 Zach Alford, Pyramid Hill.
19 Michael Bradbury, Marong.
19 Liam Marciano, Inglewood.
18 Brayden Baines, Mitiamo.
18 Bregon Cotchett, Inglewood.
18 Ben Knight, Pyramid Hill.
18 Oliver Watt, Bridgewater.
17 Angus Monfries, Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.
16 Todd Delahey, Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.
16 Harrison Goodes, Pyramid Hill.
16 Nic Naughton, Bridgewater.
15 Boden Alexander, Bridgewater.
15 Kobe Galvin, Mitiamo.
15 Seth Wright, Mitiamo.
14 Luke Ellings, Bridgewater.
14 Justin Laird, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
13 Daniel Polack, Inglewood.