THE winless run for Calivil United or Inglewood will be broken in this Saturday’s seventh round of senior footy in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League.
It’s been a tough run for the Demons and Blues throughout the 2021 campaign as both clubs have fielded young teams.
Being on home turf at 5 Star Stockfeeds Oval in Calivil could give the Demons a slight edge.
Calivil United has battled for goals, but scored eight in last Saturday’s clash at Serpentine.
Recruited to the club after a great career which included being senior coach at South Bendigo, Brady Childs has starred in all games for the Demons.
The play of Ben Baker at centre half-forward, Jake Lawry as ruck-rover, Ryan Brunker, Jack Demeo on a wing, Evan Ritchie, Brae Mensforth and Tom Dargaville will be vital to the Demons bid for victory.
A strong start will be a major goal for the Blues.
Inglewood was scoreless as Newbridge raced to a 40-point lead by quarter-time of last Saturday’s match on Inglewood’s turf at Dissy Machinery Oval.
The Blues worked hard from then on to be outscored by just five goals.
Josh Taig led Inglewood’s attack on three goals and has a season tally of seven.
The Blues will look for more players to be on target.
Inglewood’s best in its latest hit-out included Tom Alexander, Daniel Lloyd, Jasper McClelland and Taj Rodwell.
The Blues have brought in Jaxon Billett, Lachlan Nemet, David Rose and Fletcher Runnalls.
Another big match will be at John Forbes Oval where Mitiamo hosts Pyramid Hill.
It’s first against third as the 2019 grand finalists do battle.
Both teams have changed markedly since Mitiamo’s premiership win against the Bulldogs, but Pyramid Hill has at least 10 players from that season decider who will be in action this Saturday.
In round six, Mitiamo scored a 47-point win on Maiden Gully YCW Eagles’ turf at Maiden Gully.
Midfield star Lee Dale was best on ground and had great support from Matt Wiegard and key defenders Lachlan Woodward and Max Simpson.
A powerful Superoos attack includes Tyrone Downie, 18 goals; Tim Brooks, 14 goals; and Brent Downie, 11 goals.
Mitiamo will sorely miss Ryan Wellington, 19 goals, because of a hamstring injury.
It’s at the other end of the field where the Superoos defence faces the in-form Braidy Dickens, 31 goals; and Bailey George, 23.
Refreshed by the bye, Pyramid Hill onballers Billy Micevski, Matt Klein-Breteler, Gavin James and Scott Mann and ruckman Adrian Holland may be tough to stop all match.
Other key players for the Bulldogs include Micheal Bateman, Brad Ladson, Jake Willcocks and Jacob Heavyside.
The Bulldogs will be without star onballer Matt Ladson and co-coach Adrian McErvale.
Bridgewater takes on Maiden Gully YCW Eagles at Bridgewater Bakehouse Oval.
The Eagles are reeling from a hat-trick of defeats.
The Mean Machine showed plenty of determination as it overcame plenty of in-game injuries to win by 20 points at Marong.
Josh Martyn and Alex Powell lead a formidable Bridgewater attack on 25 and 18 goals respectively.
In-form players for the Mean Machine include Tom and Zeb Broadbent, Jarrod Fitzpatrick and Jake Rusbridge.
There have been eight changes to Bridgewater’s team.
Ins are Boden Alexander, Caillum Brady, Michael Brooks, N. Collins, Luke Harrison, James Naughton, Harry Symons Hamish Terry and Darcy Wood.
Darren Clutton, Andy Collins, Tom Dowd, Zane Hoiles, Liam Jacques, Joseph Mayes, Tristin Nalder and Cameron Ross were all injured last week.
The Eagles were perched on the second rung after two rounds but are now sixth.
A tough run for the Wayne Mitrovic-coached Maiden Gully YCW in the next three weeks is hit-outs at Bridgewater, Serpentine, and at home to Inglewood.
Natnael McLaren leads the Eagles attack on 11 goals, but will need plenty of support to put the heat on Bridgewater.
Travis Mercadante, Tom and Tori Ferguson, and Nathan Murley were the Eagles’ best last week.
Ruckman Darby Graham, Josh Worsley, Cohen Kekich, Luke Gray and Steven Turner are all key players for Maiden Gully YCW.
The Marong Panthers will aim to bounce back from defeat when they take on Bears Lagoon Serpentine at Discover Marong Park in Malone Park.
Both clubs are locked on three wins apiece, but Marong has superior percentage, 155 to 117.
Midfield duels will be crucial.
Marong coach Linton Jacobs will look to ruckman Daniel Bourke, Nathan Devanny, Corey Gregg and Carl Thiesz to take charge and set up chances for a forward line where Kain Robins, 18 goals, is the key target.
The Panthers also have Adam Ward and Callum Williamson capable of kicking multiple goals.
Marong also regains classy forward Dylan Cuttriss from injury.
His experience from stints at Rochester and Colbinabbin will be invaluable for the Panthers.
The Greg Gadsden-coached Bears are chasing four wins in a row.
Key players in the run by BLS include ruckman Nathan Twigg, midfielders Tannar Cerrone and Darcy Poulter, Zac Stone, Stephen Gladman and Josh Walsh in defence.’
The Bears have brought in Orion Downing and Ryan Prendergast, but will be without Andy Gladman and Joe Stuart.
Newbridge has the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Mitiamo 352 per cent, 24 points; Bridgewater 352, 20; Pyramid Hill 331, 16; Marong 155, 12; Bears Lagoon Serpentine 117, 12; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 92, 8; Newbridge 51, 4; Calivil United 15.8, 0; Inglewood 15.3, 0.
Written by Nathan Dole