THE second-placed Maiden Gully YCW Eagles will be aiming to fly high when they take on Bridgewater in this Saturday’s resumption of the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League’s A-grade netball competition.
After a two-week break because of the COVID lockdown, Maiden Gully YCW and Bridgewater will be keen to play well in the round 16 match on the Eagles’ court at Marist College Oval.
There will no spectators allowed at matches, but players, officials and volunteers are urged to adhere to the COVID protocols such as QR codes or sign in, social distancing and other measures to keep all safe.
It’s been a long wait for the Eagles as they had the bye when the league’s most recent round was played on July 10.
When these clubs last met in round seven, Maiden Gully dominated at Bridgewater Bakehouse Oval to win by 28 goals.
The Eagles will be wary of a line-up which beat Newbridge by 25 goals in the 13th round and is fighting to grab third place and the double chance for the finals series.
Another big match on Saturday will be at Pyramid Hill’s Mitchell Park.
The team in red, white and blue will be up against a Mitiamo Superoos line-up on the rebound from its first defeat of the season.
In the 16th round, Mitiamo was beaten 60-56 by Calivil United at John Forbes Oval in Superoos’ territory.
Pyramid Hill will be desperate for an upset victory to keep the heat on the fifth-placed Marong which beat the Bulldogs by two goals in the 13th round.
Earlier in the season, Mitiamo beat Pyramid Hill by 12 goals.
Inglewood takes on the in-form Calivil United on the Blues’ court at Dissy Machinery Oval.
The Demons should have too much attacking firewpower for the Blues to hold across four quarters.
Bears Lagoon Serpentine will host Marong in netball’s lower grades at Serpentine, but the Panthers take a rest in A-grade once again.
Newbridge has the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL A-grade netball ladder:
Mitiamo 136 per cent, 36 points; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 117, 32; Calivil United 119, 28; Bridgewater 115, 28; Marong 100, 20; Pyramid Hill 98, 16; Newbridge 61, 8; Inglewood 60, 8.
Written by Nathan Dole.