THIRD and second in the A-grade netball premiership race, Marong and Pyramid Hill meet in this Saturday’s fourth round in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL season.
It’s more than premiership points at stake on the Malone Park court as the Panthers and Bulldogs mark Michael Herrick Memorial Day.
Marong and Pyramid Hill carry match-of-the-day status in their clash from which the first centre pass will be at 3pm.
The Bridget Willox and Bianca Garton-coached Marong scored a 12-goal victory in last Sunday’s match on Calivil United’s court.
The Panthers won their opening round match at home against Bears Lagoon-Serpentine and were then stunned on Inglewood’s court by 10 goals.
Since a 44-48 loss at Inglewood’s Centre State Scaffolding Oval in round one, Pyramid Hill has fought back to beat Bridgewater by three goals, and Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.
A Pyramid Hill line-up coached by Chelsea Emmerson, Amber Dingwall and Darci Tierney teamed superbly in the Anzac Day match against the Eagles at Mitchell Park.
Inglewood will be aiming to return to the winner’s circle when it hosts Macorna.
The Dani O’Toole-coached Blues were outplayed on Bridgewater’s court last Sunday as the Mean Machine motored to a 33-goal win.
Another big test for Macorna as it strives to break its season duck.
The Brooke Allison-coached Tigers were beaten in last Sunday’s home game against Bears Lagoon-Serpentine by 17 goals.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles takes on the unbeaten Mitiamo at Maiden Gully’s Marist College Oval.
The Christie Griffiths-coached Eagles played at Pyramid Hill on Anzac Day.
Massive test for the team in blue, white and orange against the Jen Wilson-coached reigning premier which beat Newbridge at Mitiamo’s John Forbes Oval by 38 goals.
Bears Lagoon-Serpentine has home-court advantage at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve against Bridgewater.
The Erin Varker-coached Bears are now one-two after the 17-goal win at Macorna last round.
Victory is likely to put Bridgewater into the top five or keep the heat on those who are there.
The Carly Wild and Lou Dupuy outplayed Inglewood’s Blues last Sunday.
It’s the Maroons against the Demons as Newbridge faces Calivil United at Deepcore Drilling Oval in Newbridge’s Riverside Park.
Crucial match for both as Newbridge is fourth on a two-one record and the Demons are ninth on a one-two record.
The Hayley Martiniello-coached Newbridge will be fired up after the 38-goal loss at Mitiamo.
Calivil United played well to win at Serpentine in the second round by two goals, but could not stop Marong charging to a 12-goal victory in the Demons’ den.
Annie Blow and Alex Ingram have teamed up to coach Calivil United.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL A-grade netball competition:
Mitiamo 218 per cent, 12 points; Pyramid Hill 114, 8; Marong 104, 8; Newbridge 90, 8; Inglewood 87, 8; Bridgewater 122, 4; Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 108, 4; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 73, 4; Calivil United 69, 4; Macorna 55, 0.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL netball competitions:
A-reserve:
Bridgewater 182 per cent, 12 points; Marong 213, 10; Calivil United 144, 10; Newbridge 126, 8; Pyramid Hill 76, 6; Mitiamo 71, 4; Macorna 59, 4; Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 48, 4; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 72, 2; Inglewood 42, 0.
B-grade:
Newbridge 252 per cent, 12 points; Calivil United 134, 8; Macorna 118, 8; Inglewood 103, 8; Bridgewater 101, 8; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 80, 8; Marong 95, 6; Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 86, 2; Pyramid Hill 81, 0; Mitiamo 35, 0.
B-reserve:
Bridgewater 193 per cent, 12 points; Calivil United 141, 12; Newbridge 113, 8; Inglewood 90, 8; Marong 111, 4; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 103, 4; Mitiamo 77, 4; Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 76, 4; Pyramid Hill 71, 4; Macorna 53, 0.
17-and-under:
Calivil United 400 per cent, 12 points; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 243, 12; Bridgewater 209, 8; Pyramid Hill 131, 8; Mitiamo 108, 8; Marong 54, 8; Macorna 42, 4; Inglewood 46, 0; Newbridge 25, 0.
15-and-under:
Calivil United 508 per cent, 12 points; Newbridge 483, 12; Marong 270, 8; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 205, 8; Bridgewater 116, 8; Macorna 60, 4; Inglewood 47, 4; Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 14, 0; Pyramid Hill 25, 0; Mitiamo 20, 0.
13-and-under:
Calivil United 1269 per cent, 12 points; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 620, 12; Mitiamo 146, 8; Bridgewater 118, 8; Marong 96, 8; Inglewood 126, 4; Newbridge 85, 4; Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 16, 4; Pyramid Hill 16, 0; Macorna 11, 0.
In the football action…………
THE Michael Herrick Memorial between Marong and Pyramid Hill is likely to draw many fans for Saturday’s round four clash in Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL senior footy.
Showdowns between the Panthers and Bulldogs have often lived up to expectations.
Unbeaten in its quest for a fifth consecutive premiership, Marong has home-ground advantage at Malone Park when the clash with the red, white and blue starts at 2.15pm.
The James Flaherty-coached Marong won last Sunday’s match against Calivil United by 20 goals.
Pressure on every line for Marong will be much greater from the Bulldogs.
Pyramid Hill beat Maiden Gully YCW Eagles by 35 points on Anzac Day at Mitchell Park.
Key match-ups for the Panthers on Saturday include Brodie Hartland at full-back against Jhye Baddeley-Kelly, ruckman Michael Bradbury opposed to Will Perryman, and Jai Gretgrix ruck-roving against Ben Knight.
Other key players for Marong include Richard Tibbett, captain Nathan Devanny, Jimmy Gadsden, and Noah McCaig.
Pyramid Hill coach Jarrod Fitzpatrick was named on a half-forward flank in an attack that includes Mitch Dingwall, Harrison Goodes and Levi Moss.
The Bulldogs also have Zach Alford, James Sala, Mitch Gunther and Isaac Brill capable of winning many contests.
Inglewood will be desperate to break its winless run when it hosts Macorna at Centre State Scaffolding Oval.
Although beaten by 27 points the Jackson Hood-coached Inglewood will have gained confidence from last Sunday’s match at Bridgewater.
Huge task for the Blues against the red-hot Tigers who are unbeaten and third on the ladder.
In the centre Liam Marciano takes on Seb Erharter who crossed from starring for Inglewood last season to join Macorna.
Other key players for the Blues include Kai Cavallaro, Bregon Cotchett, Charles Ingham, Tom Kennedy, and Daniel Polack.
Inglewood selected Beppe Daly at full-back where he will be against Dimitri Fasoulis who has kicked 15 goals in three matches.
Macorna won last Sunday’s home game against Bears Lagoon-Serpentine by 43 points.
Although he is not coaching because it’s week two in a three-game ban, Macorna coach Fergus Payne has plenty of insight on Inglewood which he previously coached.
The Tigers have assistant coach Dean McGowan in charge.
Players to watch in the yellow and black include Hunter Anset, Cooper Carmichael, Kieran Foley, Will Meharry, Sam and Toby Whinfield.
Bears Lagoon-Serpentine returns to Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve to take on Bridgewater.
The Jake Wilkinson-coached Bears will be determined to level their record at two-all.
Will not be easy task for BLS against the unbeaten Bridgewater.
Big roles for the Bears will be played by captain Charlie Gadsden, Tyler Miles, Darcy Hawker, Farran Priest, Tanner Rayner, Ross Turner and Nathan Twigg.
The Lachie Sharp-coached Bridgewater has plenty of run and scoring options.
Players to watch for the Mean Machine include Luke Ellings, Tyler Estrada, Jack Merrin, Josh Martyn, Nic Naughton and Jack Neylon.
Newbridge will be eyeing consecutive victories when it plays Calivil United at Deepcore Drilling Oval in Newbridge’s Riverside Park.
The Jayden Cordy-coached Newbridge won last Sunday’s match at Mitiamo’s John Forbes Oval by 57 points.
The Maroons’ line-up to face the Demons includes Zebb Murrell in the centre,; Jon Coe, Jackson Hufer and Dylan Lloyd in defence; Brandon Dimech, Chris Dixon and Caleb Sanders to lead the attack.
In the on-ball duels Newbridge has Ricky Cathie to ruck against Hugh Calder, Jayden Cordy opposed to Cody Thompson, and Caleb Argus roving against the hard-running Zac Tickell.
Was a tough hit-out for the Sam Maher-coached Newbridge against Marong last round.
Players to watch for the Demons include Sam Green, Jayden Manderson, Henry McCarthy, Ryan Strauch and Cody Thompson.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles will be back in their nest at Marist College Oval in Maiden Gully to take on Mitiamo.
The Shawn Filo-coached Eagles will start favourite to chalk up win number two.
Best for the Eagles at Pyramid Hill on Anzac Day were Daniel Russell, Lewis Pigdon, Tye Bedford and Mitch Hill.
Maiden Gully YCW’s squad includes Todd Delahey, Stacy Fiske, Angus Monfries, Isaac Neretlis and captain Josh Worsley.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Marong 316 per cent, 12 points; Bridgewater 188, 12; Macorna 162, 12; Pyramid Hill 114, 8; Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 107, 4; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 94, 4; Newbridge 64, 4; Calivil United 38, 4; Mitiamo 63, 0; Inglewood 55, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
15 Dimitri Fasoulis, Mac.; Lachie Sharp, B’water.
13 Oscar McKinley, B’water.
10 Cooper Hale, Mar.
8 Jhye Baddeley-Kelly, PH; Farran Priest, BLS.
7 Todd Delahey, MGYCW; Brandon Dimech, N; Seb Erharter, Mac.; Luke Gray, MGYCW; Brad Matthews, Mar.; Henry McCarthy, CU; Caleb Sanders, N.
6 Brent Arho, Miti.; Kieran Foley, Mac.; Noah McCaig, Mar.; Jordan Priestley, BLS.
5 Isaac Brill, PH; Mitch Dingwall, PH; Harrison Goodes, PH; Mitch Hill, MGYCW; Jack McCaig, Mar.; Angus Monfries, MGYCW; Mitch Patten, B’water.