BY NATHAN DOLE
MARONG chalked up a 13th consecutive victory on Saturday to progress to the grand final in the Central Victoria FL under-18 boys competition.
Unbeaten in the home and away series as it chases back-to-back premierships, Marong faced East Loddon Rams in the second semi-final at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
An evenly-fought first term ended with Marong in front, 7-2.
The Panthers fired up to win the second quarter, 26-16.
After half-time it was Marong which dominated most of the centre breaks and stoppages.
A tally of 6.2 to a point in the third was followed by a score of 5.4 to a goal in the last as Marong won 16.9 (105) to 3.7 (25).
Zac Conroy was in hot form for Marong as he kicked six goals and Lochie Hale added three.
Other goalkickers for the Panthers were Josh Hall, Kane Harris, Kobe McCaig, Darcy Packer, Liam Rielley, Deon Tannock and Spencer Taylor.
Goalkickers for the Rams were Jaxon Addlem, Mitchell Hancock and Lachlan James.
Marong’s best were Riley Kerr, Kai Terrill, Hudson Bourke, Harry Mannix, Kepler Thomson and Zachary Conroy.
Jaxon Addlem, Josh Diss, Cade Tuohey, Jye Rasmussen, Jagger Thomas and Blake Dowton played well for East Loddon Rams.
Inglewood dominated Sunday’s first semi-final showdown with Pyramid Hill.
Although Pyramid Hill had home-ground advantage at Mitchell Park it was the Blues who dominated the opening half.
Inglewood slammed on 10.12 to nil in the first half.
The Blues led 104-8 at a quarter to play.
Pyramid Hill fought on to score 5.2 to 1.3 in the last.
At the final siren the Blues led 16.17 (113) to 6.4 (40).
Lachlan Harris kicked a match-high five goals for Inglewood as Mitchell Jeffrey and Jackson Luckman added three.
Other goalkickers for the Blues were Gabe Nevins, two; Daniel Kennedy, Kyle McClellan and Ryder Smith.
Harrison Goodes booted three goals for Pyramid Hill as Blake Gibson, Connor McCoy and Jacobi Mitchell were also on target.
Inglewood’s best were Jackson Luckman, Kyle McClellan, Gabe Nevins, Jaspa Wendels, Lachlan Harris and Logan Hackett.
Harrison Goodes, Blake Gibson, Riley Hutton, Toby Fernandez, Jacobi Mitchell and Kobi Manton worked hard for the Bulldogs.
East Loddon Rams will now face Inglewood in Saturday’s preliminary final at Calivil from 10.40am.
The winner advances to the grand final against Marong on September 9 at Inglewood’s Dissy Machinery Oval.