BY NATHAN DOLE
ON AN eight-match winning streak, Marong is powering toward back-to-back senior footy premierships in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League.
All teams took a break for the King’s Birthday holiday weekend.
After dominating for a lot of ’22 the Linton Jacobs-coached Marong is just as if not more ruthless in ’23.
A brilliant run by the Panthers in the first half of the home-and-away series includes winning margins of 127, 202, 206 and 180 points.
In a rematch of last year’s grand finalists, Marong scored a 151-10 victory against Bridgewater.
A formidable attack is led by Brandyn Grenfell and Kain Robins, and was strengthened by the arrival of Matt Riordan from Colbinabbin.
The Panthers also have ruckman Michael Bradbury in superb form.
Marong also has the experience of Ben and Corey Gregg and Richard Tibbett, and the enthusiasm of younger team-mates such as Jack and Noah McCaig.
Arguably the major challenger to the Panthers across the opening half of the season is Pyramid Hill.
Stung by Bridgewater in last years’ preliminary final, Pyramid Hill has fought back strongly to have a 7-1 record.
Sole loss for the Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Bulldogs was to Marong by seven goals.
Highs for the Bulldogs include the play of Dylan Collis, Zach Alford and Jesse Sheahan.
The Bulldogs also have ruckman Adrian Holland, Steven Gunther, Bailey George, Gavin James and Billy Micevski who will play key roles in trying to break a lengthy premiership drought for the red, white and blue.
Bears-Lagoon Serpentine has worked incredibly hard to achieve a 6-2 record and be in third place.
The Justin Laird-coached Bears will be fighting to hold the crucial double chance for finals time.
There’s only one winning margin above 10 goals, but most importantly is BLS has earned the points.
A talented line-up in the purple and gold includes Aidan Brohm, Charlie Gadsden, Darcy Poulter and Kyal Zass.
Massive test for the Bears when the season resumes this Saturday as BLS takes on Inglewood at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
The Darrell Billett-coached Inglewood is well-poised to feature in finals action.
After starting with consecutive defeats, Inglewood hit back to win its next four.
Key players in the Blues’ run include Bregon Cotchett, Sam Dorevitch, Fergus and Keelan Payne.
Next three weeks a big test for Inglewood as it plays at Serpentine, hosts Marong at Dissy Machinery Oval, and then travels to Bridgewater.
Although it’s two wins clear in fifth place, Bridgewater will be determined for greater consistency.
The Rick Ladson-coached Mean Machine has beaten all teams below it, but being beaten by the league’s top four.
Captain and gun forward Josh Martyn has led the attack brilliantly for a season tally of 37 but cannot do it all.
Key players for the Machine include on-baller Harry Donegan, Jack Symons and Darcy Wood.
Consecutive wins lifted Calivil United to the sixth rung by the halfway mark.
Fired up by a 200-plus point loss to Marong and a seven-goal loss to Bridgewater, Calivil United when bounced back to beat Mitiamo, and then Maiden Gully YCW in the return to Raywood.
A premiership winning ruckman at Marong last season, Justin Hynes has shone in his return to the Demons.
Midfielder Rhys Lourie has played well in most matches, along with Jake Lawry and Ben Baker.
The Anthony Dennis-coached Demons make the trek to Newbridge’s Holloway Air Riverside Oval this Saturday and then face a tough run up against Pyramid Hill, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine, Marong and Bridgewater.
A 25-point loss to Bears-Lagoon Serpentine in the ninth round is a sign that Maiden Gully YCW cannot be taken lightly.
The Jay McDonald-coached Eagles finished within four points of Bridgewater in round two, but have also had some costly lapses in matches.
Kick off the second half by playing on Marong’s turf at Malone Park.
It’s been a tough run for Mitiamo whose sole victory in the first half was against Newbridge.
Premiership-winning stars Luke Lougoon and Ross Turner are in great form and leading a young line-up.
Have been defeats by significant margins, but also losses by 25 and 18 points.
The Jon Varcoe-coached Mitiamo plays at Bridgewater this Saturday.
After a run of nine consecutive away games because the ground was being refurbished after the floods, Newbridge does not leave Holloway Air Riverside Oval in the second half of the season.
The Maroons will aim to make a welcome return to their home by beating Calivil United this Saturday.
In round one the Sam Gale and Daniel Smith-coached Newbridge won at Calivil by three goals.
Highs for Newbridge include the consistency of Dylan Stevens and Dylan Lloyd.
The Maroons also have Angus Fortune, Will Daly and Tyler McLeod capable of winning plenty of the footy.
Marong, 8-0, 577%, 32 points, 1st:
So far – d Maiden Gully YCW 128-1, d Inglewood 123-39, d Newbridge 215-13, d Pyramid Hill 124-82, d Calivil United 208-2, d Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 134-61, bye, d Bridgewater 151-10, d Mitiamo 193-13.
Run home – v Maiden Gully YCW, home; v Inglewood, a; v Newbridge, away; v Pyramid Hill, a; v Calivil United, h; v Bears-Lagoon Serpentine, a; bye; v Bridgewater, h; v Mitiamo, h.
Players to watch, based on votes in best list:
Michael Bradbury, Nathan Devanny, Richard Tibbett, Kain Robins, Lachlan Lee.
Leading goalkickers:
49 Brandyn Grenfell, 29 Kain Robins, 22 Matt Riordan, 20 Ryley Taylor, 15 Jack McCaig, 12 Nathan Devanny.
Pyramid Hill, 7-1, 205%, 28 points, 2nd:
So far – bye; d Calivil United 58-27; d Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 119-101; lt Marong 82-124; d Bridgewater 109-63; d Mitiamo 182-20; d Maiden Gully YCW 132-18; d Inglewood 143-82; d Newbridge 122-25.
Run home – bye; v Calivil United, h; b Bears-Lagoon Serpentine, a; v Marong, h; v Bridgewater, a; v Mitiamo, h; v Maiden Gully YCW, h; v Inglewood, a; v Newbridge, a.
Players to watch, based on votes in best list:
Dylan Collis, Zach Alford, Jesse Sheahan, Bailey George, Scott Mann.
Leading goalkickers:
19 Bailey George, 16 Zach Alford, 15 Thomas Brennan, 14 Will Perryman, 13 Dylan Collis.
Bears-Lagoon Serpentine, 6-2, 116%, 24 points, 3rd;
So far – d Inglewood 96-83; d Newbridge 105-15; lt Pyramid Hill 101-119; d Calivil United 106-99; bye; lt Marong 61-134; d Bridgewater 90-50; d Mitiamo 91-73; d Maiden Gully YCW 81-56.
Run home – v Inglewood, h; v Newbridge, a; v Pyramid Hill, h; v Calivil United, a; bye; v Marong, h; v Bridgewater, a; v Mitiamo, a; v Maiden Gully YCW, h.
Players to watch, based on votes in best list:
Bears Lagoon Serpentine
Darcy Poulter, Josh Taig, Kyal Zass, Aidan Brohm, Charlie Gadsden, Justin Laird.
Leading goalkickers:
19 Justin Laird, 16 Andy Gladman, 11 James Bailey, 11 Darcy Poulter, 9 Callum Draper, 9 Harry Gadsden.
Inglewood, 5-3, 126%, 20 points, 4th:
So far – lt Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 83-96; lt Marong 39-123; d Bridgewater 103-70; d Mitiamo 172-49; d Maiden Gully YCW 102-53; bye; d Newbridge 135-57; lt Pyramid Hill 82-143; d Calivill United 109-62.
Run home – v Bears-Lagoon Serpentine, a; v Marong, h; v Bridgewater, a; v Mitiamo, h; v Maiden Gully YCW, a; bye; v Newbridge, a; v Pyramid Hill, h; v Calivil United, a.
Players to watch, based on votes in best list:
Sam Dorevitch, Charlie McGaw, Bregon Cotchett, Thomas Kennedy, Daniel Polack.
Leading goalkickers:
28 Charlie McGaw, 16 Sam Dorevitch, 15 Keelan Payne, 12 Daniel Polack, 9 Bregon Cotchett, 8 Fergus Payne.
Bridgewater, 4-4, 89%, 16 points, 5th:
So far–d Mitiamo 138-34, d Maiden Gully YCW 56-52, lt Inglewood 70-103; d Newbridge 96-50; lt Pyramid Hill 63-109; d Calivil United 83-40; lt Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 50-90; lt Marong 10-151; bye.
Run home – v Mitiamo, h; v Maiden Gully YCW, a; v Inglewood, h; v Newbridge, a; v Pyramid Hill, h; v Calivil United, a; v Bears-Lagoon Serpentine, h; v Marong, a; bye.
Players to watch, based on votes in best list:
Darcy Wood, Jack Symons, Harry Donegan, Charlton Hindle, Josh Martyn.
Leading goalkickers:
37 Josh Martyn, 6 Nic Naughton, 6 Darcy Wood, 5 Harry Donegan, 5 Tyler Estrada, 5 Nic Hall.
Calivil United, 2-6, 61%, 8 points, 6th:
So far – lt Newbridge 49-67, lt Pyramid Hill 27-58, bye, lt Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 99-106, lt Marong 2-208; lt Bridgewater 40-83, d Mitiamo 88-63, d Maiden Gully YCW 86-43, lt Inglewood 62-109.
Run home – v Newbridge, a; v Pyramid Hill, a; bye, v Bears-Lagoon Serpentine, h; v Marong, a; v Bridgewater, h; v Mitiamo, h; v Maiden Gully YCW, a; v Inglewood, h.
Players to watch, based on votes in best list:
Justin Hynes, Rhys Lourie, Ben Baker, Jake Lawry, Evan Ritchie.
Leading goalkickers:
13 Ben Baker, 8 Jake Lawry, 7 Anthony Dennis, 7 Rhys Lourie.
Maiden Gully YCW, 2-6, 57%, 8 points, 7th:
So far – lt Marong 1-128, lt Bridgewater 52-56, d Mitiamo 127-73, bye, lt Inglewood 53-102, d Newbridge 64-58, lt Pyramid Hill 18-132, lt Calivil United 43-86, lt Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 56-81.
Run home –v Marong, a; v Bridgewater, h; v Mitiamo, a; bye, v Inglewood, h; v Newbridge, a; v Pyramid Hill, a; v Calivil United, h; v Bears-Lagoon Serpentine, a.
Players to watch, based on votes in best list:
Jay McDonald, Hamish McCartney, Tyler Miles, Matthew Crooks, Josh Worsley.
Leading goalkickers:
9 Brandon Dimech, 7 Hamish McCartney, 7 Tyler Miles, 5 Damian Wust.
Mitiamo, 1-7, 39%, 4 points, 8th:
So far – lt Bridgewater 34-138, bye, lt Maiden Gully YCW 73-127, lt Inglewood 49-172, d Newbridge 95-64, lt Pyramid Hill 20-182, lt Calivil United 63-88, lt Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 73-91, lt Marong 13-193.
Run home –v Bridgewater, a; bye, v Maiden Gully YCW, h; v Inglewood, a; v Newbridge, a; v Pyramid Hill, a; v Calivil United, a; v Bears-Lagoon Serpentine, h; v Marong, a.
Players to watch, based on times in best list:
Ross Turner, Luke Lougoon, Zachary Morrison, Duncan Proud, Jay Reynolds, Andrew Cussen.
Leading goalkickers:
16 Jay Reynolds, 12 Andrew Cussen, 7 Brayden Baines, 5 Ross Turner.
Newbridge, 1-7, 39%, 4 points, 9th:
So far – d Calivil United 67-49, lt Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 15-105, lt Marong 13-215, lt Bridgewater 50-96, lt Mitiamo 64-95, lt Maiden Gully YCW 58-64, lt Inglewood 57-135, bye, lt Pyramid Hill 25-122.
Run home – v Calivil United, h; v Bears Lagoon-Serpentine, h; v Marong, h; v Bridgewater, h; v Mitiamo, h; v Maiden Gully YCW, h; v Inglewood, h; bye, v Pyramid Hill, h.
Players to watch, based on votes in best list:
Dylan Stevens, Dylan Lloyd, Will Daly, Jack Clark, Angus Fortune, Sam Gale, Tyler McLeod.
Leading goalkickers:
9 Sam Gale, 8 Chris Dixon, 7 Matt Giri, 6 Caleb Sanders, 5 Angus Fortune.