COMMUNITY Bank Inglewood and Districts Round will be played across Saturday’s 18th round in the Loddon Valley FNL football and netball action.
For some teams it’s a warm-up for finals and for others the last hit-out of the ’25 campaign which is sponsored by Bendigo Bank.
Bridgewater coach and gun forward Lachlan Sharp rolls into the clash at Mitiamo’s John Forbes Oval needing two goals to again hit the century mark.
The Mitiamo and Bridgewater showdown will start at 2.15pm.
Second on a 13-2 record, Bridgewater takes on an opponent which has improved dramatically on recent seasons.
The Luke Lougoon-coached Mitiamo has a 3-12 record and is seventh on the ladder.
Strong defensive efforts will be crucial for Mitiamo to avoid Bridgewater again posting a 100-plus score as it has done 12 times so far.
The Mitiamo defence led by Leighton Driscoll, Jayden Matthews, Luke Lougoon and Jackson Falls will be up against Lachie Sharp, Nic Naughton, Luke Ellings and Alex Powell.
In midfield Mitiamo will have Kia Coatsworth, Matt Gilmour and Anthony Huismann take on Charlton Hindle, Harry McKinley and Joel Green.
Tough task for Superoos’ forwards Alex Lloyd, Brayden Baines, Seth Wright and Doug Thomas opposed to Darcy Ferguson, Darcy Wood, Josh Martyn and Harry Symons.
It’s the Demons against the Bears as Calivil United faces Bears-Lagoon Serpentine at Calivil Recreation Reserve.
It’s been a tough season for the Sam Maher-coached Demons who drew the opening round clash with Maiden Gully YCW, but have been winless since.
Key players for Calivil United include Henry McCarthy, co-captains Sam Green and Jack Maher, Anthony Dennis, Thomas Piazza and Tommi Raukola.
The Jake Wilkinson-coached Bears are on a four-game winning streak which inclues the round 14 victory against Marong by two goals.
Players to watch in the purple and gold include captain Charlie Gadsden, Tyler Miles, Justin Laird, Farran Priest and Jaxon Addlem.
Wearing guernsey 88, former Fremantle Dockers forward Josh Mellington has kicked 73 goals in 10 matches for the Bears.
The BLS line-up will want to play well going into the elimination final with Inglewood.
At Pyramid Hill’s Mitchell Park the Bulldogs will take on Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.
It’s a big day for Gavin James as he will play his 300th senior match for Pyramid Hill.
The Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Bulldogs are third in the premiership race on an 11-4 record.
Key match-ups in Saturday’s match include the ruck where the athletic Kai Daniels take on Eagles’ gun recruit Daniel Russell.
Bulldogs’ on-ballers Bailey George and Levi Moss will be up against Mitch Hill and the hard-running Mitch Whitham.
An experienced defence for the Bulldogs includes Gavin James, Dylan Morison and Scott Mann.
Other players to watch in the red, white and blue include Mitch Langan, Brad Ladson, Ben Bissett, Ben Knight and Harrison Goodes.
Huge task for an Eagles team coached by Shawn Filo, non-playing, and Angus Monfries, playing, to match Hill’s intensity across four quarters.
Key players for Maiden Gully YCW include Sean Moyle in the centre, Ed Crisp, Stacey Fiske and Nathan Murley across the half-back line; Todd Delahey and Tyler James in attack.
The Eagles’ named Monfries and Lachie Sobina on the wings.
Newbridge closes out its season on home soil at Deepcore Drilling Riverside Oval against Marong.
A tough run for the Matt McArthur-coached Newbridge to end the season as it played Bridgewater and Bears-Lagoon Serpentine the previous two rounds.
Huge challenge for Newbridge’s defenders Dylan Lloyd, Caleb Sanders, Tyler Constable and Thomas Hobson against Kain Robins, Ryler Taylor, Nathan Devanny and Shaun Knott.
In the on-ball duels Newbridge has Liam Nihill, Will Copland and Caleb Argus to take on Michael Bradbury, Lachlan Lee and Jack McCaig.
Been a great effort by Newbridge full-forward Billy Schilling to kick 38 goals in 13 matches.
The Maroons’ attack for this match includes Chris Dixon, Brandon Dimech and Ben McKinley.
Marong’s defence has the experience of Shannon Geary, Richard Tibbett and Matt Willox.
Inglewood has the bye rolling into the elimination final.
Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder after 17 rounds:
Marong 208 per cent, 52 points; Bridgewater 189, 52; Pyramid Hill 180, 44; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 135, 40; Inglewood 131, 36; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 71, 22; Mitiamo 49, 12; Newbridge 46, 12; Calivil United 37, 2.
Leading goalkickers:
98 Lachie Sharp, Bridgewater.
73 Josh Mellington, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
64 Ben Bisset, Pyramid Hill.
59 Seb Erharter, Inglewood.
41 Kain Robins, Marong.
41 Ryley Taylor, Marong.
38 Billy Schilling, Newbridge.
30 Tyler James, Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.
28 Oscar McKinley, Bridgewater.
27 Henry McCarthy, Calivil United.
23 Michael Bradbury, Marong.
23 Harrison Goodes, Pyramid Hill.
23 Farran Priest, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
23 Ryan Semmel, Pyramid Hill.
22 Kai Cavallaro, Inglewood.
20 Bregon Cotchett, Inglewood.
19 Zach Alford, Pyramid Hill.
19 Liam Marciano, Inglewood.
18 Brayden Baines, Mitiamo.
18 Ben Knight, Pyramid Hill.
18 Oliver Watt, Bridgewater.
17 Todd Delahey, Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.
17 Kobe Galvin, Mitiamo.
17 Angus Monfries, Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.
16 Justin Laird, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
16 Nic Naughton, Bridgewater.
16 Seth Wright, Mitiamo.
15 Boden Alexander, Bridgewater.
14 Luke Ellings, Bridgewater.