BEARS Lagoon-Serpentine marked a winning start to the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League’s senior footy season on Saturday at Inglewood.
The Bears turned an 18-point lead at half-time into a six-goal buffer by the last change after they scored 6.2 to 3.2 in the third term.
Inglewood fought on to win the final quarter, 34-11, but it was the Justin Laird-coached Bears who took the premiership points in a 96-83 victory.
Accuracy was a key factor in the first half.
The Darrell Billett-coached Inglewood set up plenty of chances, but was down 13-31 at quarter-time after a return of 1.7 to 5.1 to start the contest.
Andrew Gladman and Justin Laird led the BLS attack on three goals apiece as Harry Gadsden and Darcy Poulter chipped in with two each.
Inglewood’s leading goalkickers were Sam Dorevitch, Charlie McGaw, Fergus Payne, Keelan Payne and Sam Polack on two.
Best for the Bears were Louis Mott, Josh Taig, Kyal Zass, Justin Laird, Darcy Poulter and Harry Gadsden.
The Blues’ best were Alex Lowe, Luke Matheson, Charlie McGaw, Sam Polack, Charlie Ingham and Cody Stobaus.
After a closely-fought first half which it won 25-21, Newbridge took charge in the third quarter of the clash on Calivil United’s turf at Calivil.
The Maroons’ new coaching set-up of Sam Gale, playing, and Daniel Smith, non-playing, would have been rapt with the third quarter in which it scored 4.3 to 1.2 to gain a 23-point break.
Calivil United hit back to win the last term, 20-15, but the Maroons led 67-49 at the final siren.
Gale capped a great game with four goals.
Best for Newbridge were Dylan Stevens, Sam Gale, Darby Semmens, William Copland, captain Angus Fortune, and Dylan Lloyd.
Henry Miller, ruckman Justin Hynes, Jack Maher, Lachlan Brook and Jake Lawry played well for the Anthony Dennis-coached Demons.
A 10-goal blitz in the third quarter capped Bridgewater’s big win on Mitiamo’s ground at John Forbes Oval.
The Rick Ladson-coached Bridgewater led 33-15 at half-time and then slammed on 10.3 to 1.1 in the third term.
Mean Machine captain Josh Martyn went on to kick 12 goals in a best on ground performance in the 138-34 victory.
There were no multiple goalkickers for the Jon Varcoe-coached Mitiamo.
Best for Bridgewater were Josh Martyn, Charlton Hindle, Darcy Wood, Harry McKinley, Tyler Estrada and Aaron Gauci.
Mitiamo’s best were Zac Morrison, Ross Turner, Daniel Walters, Jackson Falls, Josh Diss and Luke Lougoon.
The day’s action was completed until the Marist College Oval lights when Maiden Gully YCW Eagles took on Marong.
It was a ruthless performance by the Linton Jacobs-coached Marong which kicked off its campaign to claim back-to-back premierships by scoring a 127-point victory.
The Panthers kept the Eagles scoreless until the final quarter.
Gun forward Brandyn Grenfell kicked eight goals as key recruit Matt Riordan from Colbinabbin added three and Ryley Taylor chipped in with two as the reigning premiers scored 19.14 to a point.
Best for Marong were Jack McCaig, Jacob Ede, Ryley Taylor, Jimmy Gadsden, Michael Bradbury and Brandyn Grenfell.
The Eagles’ best were Tyler Miles, Josh Worsley, coach Jay McDonald, Mitch Dean, Ed Crisp and Matthew Crooks.
LVFL senior footy ladder:
Marong 12800 per cent, 4 points; Bridgewater 405, 4; Newbridge 136, 4; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 115, 4; Inglewood 86, 0; Calivil United 73, 0; Mitiamo 24, 0; Maiden Gully YCW 0.7, 0; Pyramid Hill 0, 0.
Reserves scoreboard:
Calivil United lt Newbridge 15-86, Inglewood lt Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 29-66; Mitiamo lt Bridgewater 46-8; Maiden Gully YCW lt Marong 27-127; Pyramid Hill bye.
Round two will be played on April 15. Senior matches start at 2.15pm.
Bears Lagoon-Serpentine faces Newbridge at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
Calivil United takes on Pyramid Hill at Calivil.
Marong meets Inglewood in the Panthers’ den at Malone Park.
Bridgewater and Maiden Gully YCW will clash at Bridgewater.
Mitiamo has the bye.