-By Nathan Dole
PRESSURE will be high at Pyramid Hill and Marong this Saturday as the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL hits round five in senior footy action.
At Pyramid Hill’s Mitchell Park the Bulldogs host a Bridgewater line-up on the rebound from a nine-goal defeat to Marong.
The only defeat for Pyramid Hill and Bridgewater so far this season was to the reigning premier.
The clash of the Bulldogs and Mean Machine has the makings of being high-scoring.
A strong forward line for a Pyramid Hill team coached by Nathan Fitzpatrick includes Ben Bissett, Zach Alford and Steven Gunther.
Recruited to the Bulldogs from Mount Pleasant, Bisset’s strong marking is a feature of his game.
At the other end of the ground Bridgewater coach Lachie Sharp has kicked 22 goals to again be leading the league’s goalkicking race.
At centre ball-ups and stoppages, Pyramid Hill has athletic ruckman Kai Daniels teaming up with Ryan Semmel, Ben Knight and Brodie Carroll.
The Bulldogs will be without Mitch Langan as he serves a one-game ban for striking.
Bridgewater’s best against Marong were Oscar and Harry McKinley, Jack Neylon and Oliver Watt.
The Mean Machine’s squad for this season includes Luke Ellings, Josh Martyn, Boden Alexander, Nic Naughton and Darcy Wood.
Marong returns to Jackal Oval in Malone Park to take on Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
The Panthers have teamed superbly in their chase of a fourth consecutive premiership.
Best in the win against Bridgewater were captain Nathan Devanny, ruckman Michael Bradbury, Jimmy Gadsden and Matt Willox.
A Panthers team coached by Kain Robins, playing, and Paul Thomson, non-playing, has the experience of Shannon Geary, Ben Gregg, David Johnstone and Matt Willox.
Huge test for the Jake Wilkinson-coached Bears on the rebound from a 99-59 loss to Pyramid Hill at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
A key for BLS will be the form of gun forward Josh Mellington.
Best for the Bears last round were Harry Gadsden, Nathan Twigg, Justin Laird and Andy Gladman.
The BLS squad includes captain Charlie Gadsden, Darcy Hawker, Harry Gadsden, Farran Priest and Jaxon Addlem.
Experienced on-baller Ross Turner is out because of a one-match suspension.
Calivil United clashes with Newbridge at Calivil Recreation Reserve.
The Sam Maher-coached Calivil United drew its opening round match with Maiden Gully YCW, while Newbridge is yet to chalk up a victory.
Calivil United had the bye last round as the Maroons were outpointed by Inglewood at Deepcore Drilling Oval in Newbridge’s Riverside Park.
Best in Calivil United’s most recent match against Marong were Riley Walsh, Henry McCarthy, Jadyen Leach, Cody Thompson, Will Hamilton and Ronan Sheehan.
The Matt McArthur-coached Newbridge team for this round includes Ricky Cathie, Will Copland, Chris Dixon, Kobe Friswell, Dylan Lloyd, Caleb Sanders, Billy Schilling and the hard-running Jed Zimmer.
The Maroons also welcome back Caleb Argus who attacks every contest with a lot of ferocity.
Last Saturday’s big win put Inglewood in fifth place on the ladder.
The Blues had endured a tough run as they faced Marong, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine and Bridgewater in the opening three rounds.
All of those opponents were finalists last season.
The Fergus Payne-coached Inglewood is back home at Centre State Scaffolding Oval this round to take on Mitiamo.
In-form players for the Blues include centreman Bregon Cotchett, Seb Erharter and Liam Marciano in attack, and Luke Matheson.
Other players to watch for Inglewood are captain Nathan Angelino, Thomas Guerra, Thomas Kennedy and Keelan Payne.
Another big test for Mitiamo which rued inaccuracy in an 11.17 (83) to 15.5 (95) loss to Maiden Gully YCW on the Superoos ground at John Forbes Oval last round.
Best for Mitiamo against the Eagles were Zach Morrision, coach Luke Lougoon, centreman Doug Thomas, and Matt Gilmour.
The Superoos will look to co-captains Ryan Duncan and Liam Shiell, skilful forward Brayden Baines, Kia Coatsworth, Jackson Falls and Waylon Draper to lead the way to victory.
Maiden Gully YCW has the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Marong 199 per cent, 16 points; Pyramid Hill 157, 12; Bridgewater 111, 12; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 96, 10; Inglewood 120, 4; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 76, 4; Mitiamo 65, 4; Calivil United 55, 0; Newbridge 56, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
22 Lachie Sharp, Bridgewater.
18 Seb Erharter, Inglewood.
16 Ben Bisset, Pyramid Hill.
14 Ryley Taylor, Marong.
11 Josh Mellington, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
11 Tyler James, Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.
10 Liam Marciano, Inglewood.
9 Brayden Baines, Mitiamo.
8 Billy Schilling, Newbridge.