A CHANCE to watch AFL greats Gary Ablett jnr and Nick Dal Santo drew hundreds of fans to the Newbridge and Bridgewater clash in Saturday’s 10th round Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL senior footy.
A dual Brownlow medallist and premiership player, Ablett jnr represented Newbridge as Dal Santo’s silky skills from time with St Kilda and North Melbourne bolstered Bridgewater’s line-up.
There were many positives on a playing and financial perspective for Newbridge from Ablett jnr and Dal Santo playing as part of the Carlton Draft promotion at Deepcore Drilling Riverside Oval in Newbridge.
The Bridgewater line-up raced to a 20-4 lead by quarter-time.
The Jayden Cordy-coached Newbridge hit back to score four goals in the second.
Bridgewater matched that tally to lead 47-29 at half-time.
In the third the Mean Machine powered away.
As Bridgewater scored five goals it kept the Maroons to just two majors.
Although it faced a seven goal deficit at three quarter-time, Newbridge never gave up.
Five goals in the last capped the Maroons’ fight.
A Dal Santo goal sealed a 95-76 victory for Bridgewater.
Gun forward and Bridgewater coach Lachie Sharp kicked a match-high five goals as Oscar McKinley slotted four.
For Newbridge it was Ablett jnr and Brodie Carr who led the attack on two goals.
Best for Bridgewater were Oliver Watt, Oscar McKinley, Lachie Sharp, Harry Conway, Luke Ellings and Nick Dal Santo.
Newbridge’s best were Jon Coe, Jayden Cordy, Jed Zimmer, Gary Ablett jnr, Max Edwards and Brodie Carr.
At Pyramid Hill’s Mitchell Park the Bulldogs were under the pump from Inglewood in the final quarter of their match.
The Jarrod Fitzpatrick-coached Pyramid Hill led 31-23 at quarter-time and then won the second term, 29-15.
As the Bulldogs scored 3.4 in the third the Blues added an inaccurate 1.6.
Heat rose in the last as Inglewood scored three goals and worked hard to keep the Hill to a tally of 1.2.
At the final siren Pyramid Hill led 90-77.
Nine goals by Jhye Baddeley-Kelly capped another great match by one of the club’s gun recruits.
Inglewood’s attack was led by Kai Cavallaro, Charles Ingham, Liam Marciano and Mitch Pickering on two each.
Best for Pyramid Hill were James Sala, Ben Knight, Jhye Baddeley-Kelly, Brodie Carroll, Jayden Dick and Will Perryman.
Liam Marciano, Daniel Polack, Kai Cavallaro, Luke Matheson, Charles Ingham and Jackson Hood were best for the Blues.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles moved within a victory of the top five after a hard-fought four point win on Macorna’s turf.
An Eagles team coached by Shawn Filo, non-playing, and Angus Monfries, playing, made a great start in the Tigers’ den to lead 20-9 at quarter-time.
The second also went Maiden Gully YCW’s way, 14-10.
A Macorna line-up coached by Fergus Payne hit back to win the third quarter, 20-9.
Just four points separated the teams going into the final term.
Inspired by the play of Mitch Hill, Antony Robins and Daniel Russell it was the Eagles who seized control.
Both teams slotted two goals as Maiden Gully YCW fought on for a 55-51 victory.
The experience Monfries brings from AFL level with Essendon and Port Adelaide is a massive plus for the Eagles.
In this match Monfries kicked a team-high three goals as Tye Bedford added two.
Macorna’s leading goalkickers were Will Canham and Broden Wishart on two.
The Eagles’ best included Lewis Pigdon, Tahlan Brook and Mat Crooks.
Best for Macorna were Matt Colak, Sam Whinfield, Spiros Sklavenitis, Kieran Foley, Will Canham and Tom Ebbage.
It was a top contest between Calivil United and Mitiamo on Calivil’s ground.
The Luke Lougoon-coached Mitiamo led 25-20 at quarter-time and 49-45 by the long break.
Quarter three was when the Sam Maher-coached Demons made their charge.
As Calivil United slammed on five goals it kept the Superoos to a tally of two.
Calivil United led 77-63 going into the last quarter.
Although Mitiamo won the term, 19-14, it was the Demons who celebrated a 91-82 victory.
It was Calivil United’s first win since the opening round clash on Mitiamo’s turf at John Forbes Oval.
Henry McCarthy capped a best-on-ground performance for the red and blue with five goals as Kade Blow and Jacob Hinds kicked two each.
Mitiamo’s attack was led by Koby Gibson with four as Seth Wright slotted three and Ryan Clark kicked two.
Best for Calivil United were Henry McCarthy, Liam Stephens, Rhys Lourie, Zac Tickell, Kade Blow and Cody Thompson.
Mitiamo’s best were Zac Cruse, Koby Gibson, Luke Lougoon, Zak Myers, Ryan Clark and Lenny Cook.
It was a much closer result in the Bears Lagoon-Serpentine and Marong clash than many had expected.
The Jake Wilkinson-coached Bears led 21-19 at quarter-time of their showdown with the Panthers at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
Marong upped its play in the second term to score six goals as the Bears added two.
By half-time Marong led 59-33.
As BLS scored four goals in the third it kept Marong to just two majors.
The margin at the start of the last term was 13 points in favour of the Panthers.
Both teams added three goals in the last as Marong clinched a hard-fought 94-84 victory.
In his second match of the season, Ryley Taylor led the Panthers’ attack on five goals as Michael Bradbury and Shaun Knott kicked two each.
Farran Priest slotted three goals for the Bears as captain Charlie Gadsden and Tanner Rayner added two each.
Marong’s best were captain Nathan Devanny, Ryley Taylor, David Johnstone, Lachlan Lee, Kepler Thomson and Matt Willox.
Best for the Bears were Farran Priest, Tanner Rayner, Charlie Gadsden, Darcy Hawker, Callum Draper and Jaxon Addlem.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Marong 171 per cent, 36 points; Pyramid Hill 165, 36; Bridgewater 166, 32; Inglewood 134, 24; Macorna 101, 20; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 88, 16; Newbridge 81, 16; Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 77, 8; Calivil United 46, 8; Mitiamo 58, 4.
Round 11 on Saturday will be highlighted by the Bridgewater and Pyramid Hill clash at Bridgewater Recreation Reserve from 2.15pm.
Marong tackles Inglewood in the Panthers’ den at Jackal Oval in Marong’s Malone Park.
Calivil United is back on home turf to play Bears Lagoon-Serpentine.
It’s an M against a M as Mitiamo and Macorna meet at Mitiamo’s John Forbes Oval.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles will be in their nest at Marist College Oval in Maiden Gully to take on Newbridge.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
56 Lachie Sharp, B.
55 Jhye Baddeley-Kelly, PH.
34 Dimitri Fasoulis, Mac.
28 Cooper Hale, Mar.
25 Farran Priest, BLS.
20 Oscar McKinley, B.
18 Seth Wright, Miti.
17 Mischa Fraillon, I.
16 Seb Erharter, Mac.; Caleb Sanders, N.
15 Zach Alford, PH; Shaun Knott, Mar.; Henry McCarthy, CU; Mitch Pickering, I.
In the netball……….INGLEWOOD and Newbridge scored vital wins in Saturday’s 10th round of A-grade netball across the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL competition.
As the fight for a top-three berth heats up it was the Blues and Maroons who claimed the points.
Inglewood proved its first-round win at home against Pyramid Hill was no fluke as the Blues won 51-49 on the Mitchell Park court.
The Dani O’Toole-coached Inglewood is now third in the premiership race.
It’s been a remarkable resurgence by the Blues who were winless in the league’s top grade the previous two seasons.
Runner-up in ’25, Pyramid Hill is now in fifth place and just percentage clear of Marong.
A Bulldogs’ team coached by Chelsea Emmerson, Amber Dingwall and Darci Tierney will now prepare to play on Bridgewater’s court next Saturday.
Bridgewater is also on the rebound from defeat after a 47-45 loss to Newbridge at Deepcore Drilling Oval in Newbridge’s Riverside Park.
A huge crowd was the home of the Maroons as AFL greats Gary Ablett jnr and Nick Dal Santo took to the field for Newbridge and Bridgewater respectively in the senior footy.
On the netball court the Hayley Martiniello-coached Newbridge worked hard to record a 47-45 victory against the Mean Machine.
The Maroons are now second in a premiership race led by the unbeaten Mitiamo.
The Carly Wild and Lou Dupuy-coached Bridgewater faces Pyramid Hill next round.
Calivil United was the latest team to be outpointed by Mitiamo.
The Demons were on their court in Calivil, but it was the Superoos who skipped away for a 79-44 victory.
The Jen Wilson-coached Mitiamo again showed it has plenty of skill in all thirds of the court.
A Calivil United team coached by Annie Blow and Alex Ingram played well to beat Maiden Gully YCW Eagles the previous round, but could not halt the Superoos charge to victory.
Macorna was on its court against the Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.
An Eagles’ team coached by Christie Griffiths swooped to claim a 51-26 victory.
Both of Maiden Gully YCW’s wins have been against Macorna.
The Brooke Allison-coached Macorna played well to finish within seven goals of the Eagles in round one, but could not halt the visitors passing the 50-goal target.
Bears Lagoon-Serpentine was on its court at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve against Marong.
The clash of the Bears and Panthers went Marong’s way, 59-43.
A 16-goal victory for the Bridget Willox and Bianca Garton-coached Marong meant it kept the heat on Pyramid Hill in the race for a finals berth.
The Erin Varker-coached Bears make their way to Calivil for next Saturday’s play.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL A-grade netball competition:
Mitiamo 192 per cent, 40 points; Newbridge 113, 28; Inglewood 103, 28; Bridgewater 144, 24; Pyramid Hill 114, 24; Marong 103, 24; Calivil United 83, 16; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 66.7, 8; Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 66.5, 8; Macorna 53, 0.
Highlight of next Saturday’s round 11 contests will be Bridgewater at home against Pyramid Hill.
Another important match will be at Marong’s Jackal Oval where the Panthers take on Inglewood.
Calivil United hosts Bears Lagoon-Serpentine at Calivil Recreation Reserve.
It’s the Superoos against the Tigers as Mitiamo and Macorna meet at Mitiamo’s John Forbes Oval.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles take on Newbridge at the Maiden Gully-based Marist College Oval.
Loddon Valley FNL netball, round 10 scoreboard:
A-reserve:
Pyramid Hill 42 d Inglewood 33, Newbridge 44 lt Bridgewater 61, Calivil United 49 d Mitiamo 42, Macorna 20 lt Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 44, Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 25 lt Marong 82.
B-reserve:
Pyramid Hill 26 lt Inglewood 45, Newbridge 49 d Bridgewater 47, Calivil United 43 d Mitiamo 32, Macorna 20 lt Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 61, Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 34 lt Marong 52.
B-grade:
Pyramid Hill 31 lt Inglewood 39, Newbridge 50 d Bridgewater 35, Calivil United 52 d Mitiamo 21, Macorna 28 lt Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 38, Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 31 lt Marong 60.
17-and-under:
Pyramid Hill 42 d Inglewood 21, Newbridge 23 lt Bridgewater 53, Calivil United 71 d Mitiamo 37, Macorna 23 lt Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 55, Bears Lagoon-Serpentine forfeit to Marong,
15-and-under:
Pyramid Hill 25 d Inglewood 19, Newbridge 68 d Bridgewater 20, Calivil United 86 d Mitiamo 10, Macorna 6 lt Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 63, Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 6 lt Marong 74.
13-and-under:
Pyramid Hill 15 d Inglewood 7, Newbridge 23 d Bridgewater 17, Calivil United 48 d Mitiamo 8, Macorna 5 lt Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 78, Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 12 lt Marong 33.
Standings in Loddon Valley FNL netball after 10 rounds:
A-reserve:
Bridgewater 215 per cent, 40 points; Marong 167, 34; Calivil United 112, 30; Newbridge 141, 28; Pyramid Hill 104, 22; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 97, 18; Mitiamo 79, 12; Inglewood 81, 8; Macorna 42, 4; Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 35, 4.
B-grade:
Newbridge 230 per cent, 40 points; Bridgewater 144, 32; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 108, 28; Calivil United 113, 24; Inglewood 105, 24; Marong 108, 22; Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 81, 14; Pyramid Hill 80, 8; Macorna 78, 8; Mitiamo 35, 0.
B-reserve:
Bridgewater 192 per cent, 36 points; Newbridge 134, 32; Inglewood 122, 32; Calivil United 116, 28; Marong 124, 24; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 97.2, 16; Mitiamo 97.0, 16; Pyramid Hill 102, 12; Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 54, 4; Macorna 31, 0.
17-and-under:
Calivil United 338 per cent, 40 points ;Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 180, 36; Pyramid Hill 121, 28; Mitiamo 106, 28; Bridgewater 107, 24; Marong 85, 20; Macorna 50, 8; Inglewood 42, 8; Newbridge 34, 8.
15-and-under:
Newbridge 395 per cent, 40 points; Calivil United 547, 36; Marong 293, 32; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 197, 28; Bridgewater 81, 20; Pyramid Hill 40, 12; Mitiamo 36, 12; Inglewood 39, 8; Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 20, 8; Macorna 30, 4.
13-and-under:
Calivil United 749 per cent, 40 points; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 399, 36; Newbridge 145, 28; Mitiamo 141, 28; Marong 110, 24; Bridgewater 70, 16; Inglewood 61, 12; Pyramid Hill 33, 12; Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 21, 4; Macorna 11, 0.