BY NATHAN DOLE
Panthers target defeating Newbridge again
SIXTH in the A-grade standings, Marong must upset Newbridge in this Saturday’s round 11 clash to keep the heat on in the race to the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL finals series.
The Robyn Cunnington-coached Marong is a win and more than 20 per cent behind the fifth-placed Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
It’s a huge challenge for the Panthers who will be on their court at Malone Park to take on Newbridge from 3pm.
When these teams met in round two it was the Panthers who clawed their way to a 37-35 victory on Newbridge’s court at Walker’s Doughnuts Riverside Oval.
Both teams are on the rebound from defeats of 20-plus and 30-plus goals.
In last Saturday’s play Marong was beaten by the ladder-leading Mitiamo at John Forbes Oval and Newbridge was overpowered on Bridgewater’s court.
The Selina Holland and Kristy Gandy-coached Newbridge will be desperate for the points as it strives for a top-three finish.
Bridgewater will be back home to take on Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.
The Caz Wood and Olivia Collicoat-coached Bridgewater was in superb touch as it won at Newbridge by 34 goals.
Another massive test for the Adam Boldiston-coached Eagles who are seventh, but not out of the race for a finals campaign.
The Eagles marked a 17-goal win against Calivil United in last Saturday’s match at Marist College Oval in Maiden Gully.
Calivil United hosts Pyramid Hill.
Just as it was in round two the Haylee Fawcett-coached Calivil United faces a Bulldogs line-up on the rebound from defeat.
The Chelsea Emmerson-coached Pyramid Hill should mark its eighth win of the season.
After a great win on Pyramid Hill’s court, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine returns to Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve to play Inglewood.
The Danielle O’Toole-coached Bears will be determined to follow up a five-goal win against the Bulldogs by taking the points against the Abbey Hayes-coached Inglewood Blues.
A first-year A-grade coach, O’Toole has led the Bears to a tally of five wins so far.
Mitiamo has the bye.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL A-grade netball competition:
Mitiamo 181 per cent, 32 points; Pyramid Hill 151, 28; Bridgewater 130, 24; Newbridge 106, 24; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 111, 20; Marong 90, 16; Maiden Gully YCW 96, 12; Calivil United 56, 4; Inglewood 37, 0.