IT’S the Bulldogs up against the Mean Machine as Pyramid Hill hosts Bridgewater in this Saturday’s reboot of senior footy action in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League.
The league board and clubs voted on Thursday night for round eight to be played on June 19, and round nine on June 26.
It will be then be round 12 from July 3.
A decision on rounds 10 and 11 being played was deferred.
The end of season and finals will be discussed by the board and club representatives in mid-July.
Players will be rapt to be back in action after a three-week break.
Pyramid Hill will be aiming to end Bridgewater’s unbeaten run when they clash at Mitchell Park.
The Bulldogs are on the rebound from a 38-point loss on John Forbes Oval against the ladder-leading Mitiamo.
Classy forwards Braidy Dickens and Bailey George will be fired up after both were held to a goal apiece in Pyramid Hill’s clash with the Superoos on May 22.
The race for the league goalkicking award is led by Dickens, 32, with George in fourth place on 24.
Key players for the Adrian McErvale and Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Pyramid Hill include rover Billy Micevski, ruck-rover Matt Ladson, Gavin James and Brad Ladson across the half-back line, and Dylan Morison at full-back.
Jacob Heavyside kicked three goals against Mitiamo and will again play a key role for Pyramid Hill.
Despite plenty of injuries, Bridgewater’s winning run rolled on as it beat Maiden Gully YCW Eagles by 38 points in round seven at Bridgewater Bakehouse Oval.
A strong Bridgewater attack is led by Josh Martyn, 28 goals, and Alex Powell on 22 majors.
Onballer Jarrod Fitzpatrick is in superb form, while Peter Rothacker and Zeb Broadbent were among the best in the Mean Machine’s latest victory.
A formidable Bridgewater attack includes Andy Collins, Lloyd Needs and co-coach Jayden Donaldson.
Inglewood takes on Marong at Dissy Machinery Oval in Inglewood.
The Blues were outgunned by Calivil United in round seven at 5 Star Stockfeeds Oval in Calivil.
Inglewood coach Darrell Billett will again look for Cody Stobaus, Taj Rodwell, Jaxon Billett and Tynan Hywood to lead the way in terms of maintaining possession and pressure.
Other players to watch for the Blues include Nathan Wallace, Cade Cohalan and the experienced Daniel Lloyd.
Marong hit back from consecutive defeats to score a 59-point victory in its latest hit-out against Bers Lagoon Serpentine at Discover Marong Park in Malone Park.
Kain Robins lifted his season tally to 26 after an eight-goal haul against the Bears.
The ability of Inglewood to limit supply to Robins will be crucial in this contest.
In-form players for the Linton Jacobs-coached Marong include Nathan Devanny, Corey Gregg, Josh Cooper, Braden Hender and David Johnstone.
Panthers’ coach Linton Jacobs also has the versatility of big men Adrian Pappin and Richard Tibbett.
Bears Lagoon Serpentine meets Maiden Gully YCW Eagles in a crucial contest for both clubs at Serpentine.
The fifth-placed Bears are a win and 16 per cent clear of the Eagles.
A highlight of this match will be the duel between Bears’ ruckman Nathan Twigg and Eagles recruit Chris Howgate.
Players to watch for BLS include Zach Stone, Brodie Hawke, Jeremy Hancock and Ryan Prendergast.
The play of Natnael McLaren, Travis Mercadante, Sean Moyle and Nathan Murley will be a key to the chances of the Wayne Mitrovic-coached Eagles.
Newbridge clashes with Calivil United on the Maroons’ turf at Simonds Homes Riverside Oval in Newbridge.
The Maroons have had a longer break as they had the bye in round seven.
In round six, Newbridge won at Inglewood by 70 points as Chris Dixon and James Oliver led the attack on three goals apiece.
Mitch Hocking, Logan Dixon, Ryan Burt and Ricky Cathie were best in Newbridge’s first win of the season.
Calivil United broke its winless run in an 84-point triumph at home against Inglewood on May 22.
The Demons fired up in the last quarter to slam on nine goals.
Jake Lawry led Calivil United’s attack on six goals to be among the best, along with Jack Sinclair, Lachlan McAllister, Jordan Lea, Tim Lloyd and Blair Richards.
Mitiamo has the bye.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL’s senior footy competition:
Mitiamo 304 per cent, 28 points; Bridgewater 316, 24; Pyramid Hill 234, 16; Marong 161, 16; Bears Lagoon Serpentine 100, 12; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 84, 8; Newbridge 51, 4; Calivil United 27, 4; Inglewood 17, 0.