IT’S the battle of the Bridges as Newbridge faces Bridgewater in Saturday’s seventh round of senior footy in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League.
It’s a danger game for the Rick Ladson-coached Bridgewater which had the bye last round after a 16-point loss at home to Calivil United.
The Mean Machine holds fifth place on the ladder and will be desperate to lift its game on Newbridge’s turf at Holloway Air Riverside Park.
Key players for Bridgewater include classy on-baller/forward Andy Collins, Josh Martyn at full-forward, Harry Donegan, Alex Pollock, Callum Prest and Lloyd Needs.
The squad also includes Brayden Stepien, a premiership-winning batsman with Carlton in last summer’s Victoria Premier Cricket action who has also played Twenty20 for Melbourne Renegades.
Newbridge was beaten by 20 points in last Saturday’s clash with Bears Lagoon Serpentine at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
Best for the Maroons were Mitch Hocking, Logan Dixon and Thomas Hobson.
Creating enough scoring chances to keep the pressure on Bridgewater will be the key for the Luke Freeman-coached Newbridge.
Key players for the Maroons include Harding medallist Harry Whittle, Cameron Grant, Chris and Logan Dixon, Marcus Pitto, and Tyler McLeod.
After breaking its season duck, Maiden Gully YCW Eagles are back at Marist College Oval to take on Mitiamo.
It’s another huge challenge for the Wayne Mitrovic-coached Eagles who played inspired football to win last Saturday’s match at Calivil by 14 points.
Mitrovic kicked four goals in the victory, but is not in this week’s line-up.
Rover Jessi Lampi was best afield for the Eagles against the Demons and again play a key role, along with ruckman Chris Howgate, key defenders Hamish McCartney and Steve Turner.
The Eagles also have the run of Lachie Sobina and Nathan Murley in midfield.
The Marcus McKern-coached Mitiamo worked extremely hard in a 48-52 loss to Pyramid Hill on the Superoos’ ground at John Forbes Oval.
Mitiamo’s best were Lee Dale, Jack Vinnicombe in defence and Doug Thomas.
An experienced Superoos line-up includes Jarryd Wiegard at half-back, Ross Turner on a wing, Ryan Wellington in attack, and ruckman Nathan Twigg.
The ladder-leading Marong tackles Bears Lagoon-Serpentine in the Panthers’ den at Malone Park.
Panthers’ gun forward Brandyn Grenfell has moved to a season tally of 44 after hauls of 11 and 14 in his past two games.
Limiting the supply to Grenfell will be a daunting task for the Justin Laird-coached Bears.
A strong Marong line-up includes Justin Hynes in the ruck, Cory Jacobs and Adrian Pappin in attack, Corbin Fleming and Adam Ward in defence, and the running power of Nathan Devanny, Jimmy Gadsden, Ben and Corey Gregg.
Laird kicked five goals in a best-on-ground performance for the Bears against Newbridge.
Other in-form players for BLS include James Bailey, Charlie Gadsden, Kalem Paxton, Ryan Prendergast and Josh Walsh.
The unbeaten Pyramid Hill is back at Mitchell Park to take on Calivil United.
The Bulldogs peppered the Mitiamo goals for a tally of 5.22 in last Saturday’s victory.
Pyramid Hill has plenty of attacking options, a hard-working midfield, and strong defence.
Players to watch for the Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Pyramid Hill include Nathan Catherwood, Mitch Cheesman, Ben Dalton and Steven Gunther.
Bailey George kicked 10 goals in the Bulldogs’ latest home win against Maiden Gully YCW.
The run and skill of Scott Mann, Billy Micevski, Gavin James and Brad Ladson makes Pyramid Hill a formidable opponent.
The Jack Daley-coached Calivil United will be fired up for a big game.
The Demons played great footy to win at Bridgewater in round five, but was outpointed by Maiden Gully YCW last Saturday.
Key players for Calivil United include Jacob Greenwood in attack, Phil Ryan, Ben Daley, Nick McPherson, Evan Ritchie and Brock Rogers.
Inglewood has the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Marong 253 per cent, 20 points; Pyramid Hill 210, 20; Mitiamo 130, 16; Inglewood 84, 12; Bridgewater 96, 8; Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 68, 8; Calivil United 89, 4; Newbridge 51, 4; Maiden Gully YCW 42, 4.
Leading goalkickers:
44 Brandyn Grenfell, Mar.
16 Bailey George, PH.
14 Jacob Greenwood, CU; Josh Martyn, B’water; Jay Reynolds, Miti.
13 Jason Butty, MGYCW; Andy Collins, B’water.
12 Justin Laird, BLS; Harry Whittle, New.
11 Adrian Pappin, Mar.
10 Traiton Kendal, I’wood; Charlie McGaw, I’wood; Kain Robins, Mar.
9 Braidy Dickens, PH; Chris Dixon, New.; Ryley Taylor, Mar.
8 Alex Lowe, I’wood; Lloyd Needs, B’water; Cody Wright, I’wood.
7 Nathan Devanny, Mar.; Harrison Gadsden, BLS; Steven Gunther, PH; Jake Lawry, CU; Rhonen Maher, BLS; Kyle Manley, Mar.; Lucas Matthews, Miti.; Wayne Mitrovic, MGYCW; Carl Nicholson, Miti.; Richard Tibbett, Mar.; Ryan Wellington, Miti.
Goals from Inglewood’s round one win at Calivil to be added.
Written by Nathan Dole.