BY NATHAN DOLE
THIRD tackles fourth when Bears-Lagoon Serpentine meets Inglewood in Saturday’s 10th round of senior footy in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL season.
It’s a huge contest for both teams in the Bears’ den at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
Players will be fired up after last weekend’s general bye for the King’s Birthday holiday weekend.
Victory would put the Justin Laird-coached Bears eight points in front of Inglewood as both clubs fight for a top-three finish and the double chance at finals time.
In round one, BLS won 96-83 at Inglewood’s Dissy Machinery Oval.
Both teams had a win before the break.
The Bears marked an 81-56 victory against Maiden Gully YCW at Marist College Bendigo.
Best for BLS in that match included Darcy Poulter, Charlie Gadsden, Jeremy Hancock and Justin Laird.
Inglewood was too strong at home as it beat Calivil United by 47 points.
The Darrell Billett-coached Blues again passed the century mark as Bregon Cotchett, Sam Dorevitch, Gabe Nevins and Daniel Polack were best in a 109-62 victory.
After nine consecutive matches on the road, Newbridge returns to Holloway Air Riverside Oval to take on Calivil United.
The Maroons spent all of the first half of the season racking up away games as Riverside Oval was being refurbished after the floods.
Newbridge kicked off the season by winning 67-49 at Calivil.
Jointly-coached by Sam Gale, playing, and Daniel Smith, non-playing, Newbridge will be determined to mark its second win and a chance to climb from the last rung.
A big day for Newbridge includes Chris Dixon’s 300th match.
Best for the Maroons in their latest hit-out at Pyramid Hill’s Mitchell Park included Will Daly, Angus Fortune, Sam Gale, Dylan Lloyd and Caleb Sanders.
After a nil-five start, Calivil United hit back to beat Mitiamo and Maiden Gully YCW in consecutive weeks.
The Anthony Dennis-coached Demons were beaten at Inglewood in the ninth round.
Key players for Calivil United include ruckman Justin Hynes, Ben Baker, Lachlan Brook, Rhys Lourie and Henry Miller.
Two of the league’s greatest rivals in Bridgewater and Mitiamo clash on Bridgewater’s turf.
The Rick Ladson-coached Bridgewater kicked off the season with a 138-34 victory on Mitiamo’s ground at John Forbes Oval.
A 4-4 record has Bridgewater in fifth place on the ladder.
It’s been a longer break for Bridgewater which had the bye on June 3.
Key players for the Mean Machine include captain Josh Martyn at full-forward, on-ballers Harry Donegan and Charlton Hindle, Darcy Wood, Jack Symons, Alex Pollock and Ben Derrick.
It’s been a tough run for the Jon Varcoe-coached Mitiamo.
In round one the Superoos were held to 2.1 in their home game against a ruthless Marong line-up.
Key players for Mitiamo include Luke Lougoon, Ross Turner, Dylan Clohesy, Andrew Cussen, Brayden Baines and Jay Reynolds.
Unbeaten and on top of the ladder, Marong is on home turf at Malone Park to play Maiden Gully YCW.
The Panthers’ quest for back-to-back premierships began with a 128-1 victory in the first round in the Eagles’ nest at Marist College Oval in Maiden Gully.
Marong’s latest hit-out was at Mitiamo where it won by 30 goals.
A formidable attack which includes Brandyn Grenfell, Matt Riordan and Kain Robins is given plenty of supply from the likes of Nathan Devanny, ruckman Michael Bradbury, Jimmy Gadsden and Noah McCaig.
Massive challenge for the Jay McDonald-coached Maiden Gully YCW to push the Panthers in every quarter.
The Eagles played well in their latest match to be within 25 points of Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
Pressure and run from the Panthers is likely to be higher and for longer.
Maiden Gully YCW will look to the likes of Tyler Miles, Damian Wust, captain Hamish McCartney, Brandon Dimech, Nathan Murley and Matthew Crooks to challenge the Panthers.
Pyramid Hill has the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Marong 577 per cent, 32 points; Pyramid Hill 205, 28; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 116, 24; Inglewood 126, 20; Bridgewater 89, 16; Calivil United 61, 8; Maiden Gully YCW 57, 8; Mitiamo 39.8, 4; Newbridge 39.6, 4.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
49 Brandyn Grenfell, Marong.
37 Josh Martyn, Bridgewater.
29 Kain Robins, Marong.
28 Charlie McGaw, Inglewood.
22 Matt Riordan, Marong.
20 Ryley Taylor, Marong.
19 Bailey George, Pyramid Hill.
19 Justin Laird, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
16 Zach Alford, Pyramid Hill.
16 Sam Dorevitch, Inglewood.
16 Andy Gladman, Bears-Lagooon Serpentine.
16 Jay Reynolds, Mitiamo.
15 Thomas Brennan, Pyramid Hill.
15 Jack McCaig, Marong.
15 Keelan Payne, Inglewood.
14 Will Perryman, Pyramid Hill.
13 Ben Baker, Calivil United.
13 Dylan Collis, Pyramid Hill.
12 Andrew Cussen, Mitiamo.
12 Nathan Devanny, Marong.
12 Daniel Polack, Inglewood.
11 James Bailey, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
11 Mitch Dingwall, Pyramid Hill.
11 Darcy Poulter, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.