PYRAMID Hill will be aiming to halt a strong Bridgewater attack in Saturday’s second round in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL senior footy season.
The Jarrod Fitzpatrick-coached Bulldogs are up against one of the league’s most powerful forward lines.
Both teams marked a winning start to the season.
The Bulldogs will be on home turf at Pyramid Hill’s Mitchell Park for the 2.15pm showdown.
Pyramid Hill capped a brilliant final quarter fightback to win at Inglewood by 21 points as Bridgewater won its home clash with Newbridge by 100 points.
Key match-ups for the Bulldogs include Dylan Morison at full-back against Bridgewater coach Lachie Sharp, Will Perryman in the centre against Harry McKinley, and James Sala roving against Luke Ellings.
Other players to watch in the red, white and blue include Jhye Baddeley-Kelly at full-forward, ruck-rover Ben Knight, Isaac Brill, Gavin James, and ruckman Lachlan Sidebottom.
Bridgewater’s line-up includes Oscar McKinley and Mitch Patten in attack, Darcy Wood and Connor Flynn on the wings, Jack Merrin, Josh Martyn and Joseph Mayes in defence.
It will be Kaye’s Day at Inglewood’s Centre State Scaffolding Oval as the Blues take on Marong.
There’s more than premiership points to be won as the Blues honour Kaye Cohalan and raise funds for Cancer Council Victoria.
It’s another big test for the Jackson Hood-coached Blues who were overrun by Pyramid Hill in the season opener.
Key match-ups include Liam Marciano in the centre against Jimmy Gadsden, Tom Kennedy rucking against Michael Bradbury, Bregon Cotchett opposed to Nathan Devanny.
Other key players for Inglewood include Charlie Aitken at centre half-back, Gabe Nevins at half-back, Tyler Murphy, Kai Cavallaro and Keanu Padula in attack.
The James Flaherty-coached Marong marked a 25-point win on its turf at Malone Park against Bears Lagoon-Serpentine.
A formidable Panthers’ line-up includes Matt Willox, Jai Gretgrix, Corey Gregg, Jack and Noah McCaig, Max Balcke, and David Johnstone.
Macorna is a strong chance to achieve back-to-back wins as it hosts Mitiamo in the Tigers’ den.
The Fergus Payne-coached Macorna won its first match in the Loddon Valley by 45 points as Matt Colak, Sam Whinfield and Will Meharry were among the best on Maiden Gully YCW Eagles’ turf at Marist College Oval.
The Tigers take on a Mitiamo line-up aiming to bounce back from a 10-point loss at home to Calivil United.
Macorna’s line-up includes Toby Whinfield, Hunter Anset, Fergus Bear, Cooper Carmichael, and Kieran Foley.
The Tigers also have Seb Erharter who kicked 65 goals in 19 matches for Inglewood last season.
Mitiamo’s team includes Zach Morrison, Ben and Brent Arho, Seth Wright, Ryan Duncan, Joey Mizzi, Brayden Baines and coach Luke Lougoon.
The Superoos will be without Anthony Huismann who accepted a one-match ban after an early guilty plea for rough conduct against Calivil United.
Bears Lagoon-Serpentine will be on home turf at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve against Calivil United.
The Jake Wilkinson-coached Bears will be wary against the new-look Demons.
Key players for BLS include Jaxon Addlem, Orion Downing, Darcy Hawker, Tyler Miles, Tanner Rayner, Ross Turner, and Nathan Twigg.
Newcomer for the Bears is Corey Wanganeen from Fitzroy Stars.
Was a superb effort by Calivil United to win at Mitiamo after a winless run in ’25.
Players to watch for the Demons include co-captains Sam Green and Jack Maher, coach Sam Maher, Henry McCarthy, Tyler Rasmussen, Ryan Strauch, Cody Thompson, and Zac Tickell.
Newbridge takes on Maiden Gully YCW Eagles at Deepcore Drilling Oval in Newbridge’s Riverside Park.
The Jayden Cordy-coached Newbridge has Dylan Lloyd and Jackson Hufer in the key defensive posts, Jack McInerney in the centre, Brandon Dimech and Billy Schilling in attack.
The play of ruckman Will Copland, Max Edwards, Zebb Murrell and Zaiyden Richards will be vital to Newbridge’s chances.
Maiden Gully YCW is bolstered by the inclusion of the experienced Stacy Fiske, and also brought in Leo Bosley.
Key players for the Shawn Filo-coached Eagles include Ed Crisp, Todd Delahey, Tyler James, Travis Mercadante, Josh Worsley, and former Essendon and Port Adelaide forward/mid Angus Monfries.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Bridgewater 377 per cent, 4 points; Macorna 207, 4; Marong 145, 4; Pyramid Hill 132, 4; Calivil United 120, 4; Mitiamo 83, 0; Inglewood 75, 0; Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 68, 0; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 48, 0; Newbridge 26, 0.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
6 Oscar McKinley, B; Lachie Sharp, B.
4 Brent Arho, Miti.; Mitch Patten, B.
3 Mitch Dingwall, PH; Harrison Goodes, PH; Jack McCaig, Mar.; Henry McCarthy, CU; Will Meharry, Mac.;
2 Jhye Baddeley-Kelly, PH; James Bailey, BLS; Max Balcke, Mar.; Alex Cockerell, Mac.; Bregon Cotchett, I’wood; Kieran Foley, Mac.; Mischa Fraillon, I’wood; Charlie Gadsden, BLS; Luke Gray, MGYCW; Cooper Hale, Mar.; Frasier Holland, BLS; Ben Knight, PH; Zaiyden Richards, New.; Aidan Roulston, CU; Liam Stephens, CU.
In the netball action, after a long-awaited breakthrough victory in A-grade a confident Inglewood takes to the court this Saturday to play Marong in round two of the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL season.
It’s a 3pm start for all A-grade matches.
The Blues will be on their court at Centre State Scaffolding Oval as Inglewood hosts Kaye’s Day.
The event is in honour of Kaye Cohalan and will be a fund-raiser for Cancer Council Victoria.
In round one the Dani O’Toole-coached Inglewood stunned Pyramid Hill to score a 48-44 victory on the Blues’ court.
Marong began its season with a 49-44 win against Bears Lagoon-Serpentine in the Panthers’ den at Malone Park.
The Marong team is coached by Bridget Willox and Bianca Garton.
Pyramid Hill will be determined to bounce back when it hosts Bridgewater at Mitchell Park.
The Chelsea Emmerson, Amber Dingwall and Darci Tierney-coached Pyramid Hill was outplayed by the Blues in round one.
Bridgewater played a great match at home against Newbridge in round one.
At the final siren the Newbridge team led 42-40.
Carly Wild and Lou Dupuy have teamed up to coach Bridgewater.
Bears Lagoon-Serpentine will be on its court at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve against Calivil United.
Both teams were defeated in the season opener.
The Bears are being coached by Erin Varker.
Calivil United is coached by Annie Blow and Alex Ingram.
League newcomer, Macorna marks its first home game of ’26 when it plays reigning premier Mitiamo in the Tigers’ den.
Massive challenge for the Brooke Allison-coached Macorna against the Superoos.
The Tigers were beaten 32-25 in last Saturday’s clash with Maiden Gully YCW Eagles at Marist College Oval.
The Jen Wilson-coached Mitiamo bounded to a 79-36 win on their court at John Forbes Oval against Calivil United.
Newbridge takes on Maiden Gully YCW Eagles at Deepcore Drilling Oval in Newbridge’s Riverside Park.
The Hayley Martiniello-coached Newbridge showed plenty of fight in their win against Bridgewater.
Christie Griffiths is coaching the Eagles.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL A-grade netball competition:
Mitiamo 219 per cent, 4 points; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 128, 4; Marong 111, 4; Inglewood 109, 4; Newbridge 105, 4; Bridgewater 95, 0; Pyramid Hill 91, 0; Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 89, 0; Macorna 78, 0; Calivil United 45, 0.