-By Nathan Dole
THE Maiden Gully YCW Eagles will be aiming to fly high before they land against Newbridge on Anzac Day to kick off round three in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL senior footy action.
It’s a night-time contest in the Eagles’ nest at Marist College Oval in Maiden Gully from 5.30pm.
Both teams will be desperate to bank the four premiership points.
After a first-round draw at Calivil in round one, Maiden Gully YCW could not halt Bridgewater’s charge to a 46-point victory in round two at Marist College.
Newbridge started its season with a 52-point loss to Pyramid Hill at Deepcore Drilling Oval in Newbridge’s Riverside Park before a round two bye.
The Eagles are again being coached by Shawn Filo, non-playing, and Angus Monfries, playing.
In a 211-game career across AFL clubs Essendon and Port Adelaide, Monfries kicked 248 goals.
The classy forward is yet to play for the Eagles this season.
Best in Maiden Gully YCW’s latest hit-out were Daniel Russell, Mitch Whitham, Grayson Brown and Bryce Franzini.
The attack was led by Tyler James on four goals.
Newbridge’s best in round one were Caleb Sanders, Will Copland, Andrew Willett and Thomas Hobson.
The Matt McArthur-coached squad at Newbridge includes captain Brandon Dimech, Caleb Argus, Dylan Lloyd, Billy Schilling and Jack Teasdale.
Round three will be completed when three matches are played on Saturday from 2.15pm.
Pyramid Hill returns to Mitchell Park to take on Mitiamo.
The Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Pyramid Hill is on the rebound from a seven-goal loss to Marong in the rematch of the ’24 grand final played at Jackal Oval in Marong’s Malone Park.
The Bulldogs will be wary of a Mitiamo line-up which broke a long-running winless streak in a 72-60 victory in round two at Mitiamo’s John Forbes Oval.
Pyramid Hill is likely to have too much goalscoring power for Mitiamo to hold or match.
Best for the red, white and blue in round two were Daniel Frame, Ryan Semmel, Brodie Carroll, Lachlan Sidebottom, Gavin James and Levi Moss.
Ben Bisset, Harrison Goodes and Mitch Langan kicked two goals each.
One win does not make a season, but confidence in a Mitiamo squad which has Luke Lougoon as first-year coach will have soared.
The Superoos’ best against Calivil United were Doug Thomas, Liam Shiell, Cody Tuohey, Ryan Duncan, Lougoon, and Zach Morrison.
Inglewood is up against the ladder-leading Bridgewater at Inglewood’s Centre State Scaffolding Oval.
It’s been a daunting task for the Fergus Payne-coached Inglewood which has faced Marong and Bears-Lagoon Serpentine in the opening two rounds.
Best for the Blues in the Bears’ den at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve were Bregon Cotchett, Seb Erharter, Thomas Kennedy, Luke Matheson, Liam Marciano and Kai Cavallaro.
First-year coach at Bridgewater, Lachlan Sharp is again leading the league’s goalkicking race on 15.
A talented squad at Bridgewater includes Gisborne premiership player Luke Ellings, Jack Neylon, Boden Alexander, captain Harry McKinley, and James Naughton.
The Mean Machine also has Ben Derrick, Brad Holt and Oliver Muggleton in its line-up.
Calivil United will be back on home turf in Calivil to take on Marong.
Massive test for the Sam Maher-coached Demons against a club which has won the past three senior premierships.
Calivil United’s best in a closely-fought contest at Mitiamo were Cody Thompson, Sam Maher, Riley Walsh, Rhys Lourie, Anthony Dennis and Dylan Goulding.
The red and blue takes on an opponent which has shown no signs of a premiership hangover.
This season it’s gun forward Kain Robins, playing, and Paul Thomson, non-playing, who have teamed up to coach Marong.
Ruckman Michael Bradbury, key forward Ryley Taylor, Jimmy Gadsden and Brodie Hartland led the way to victory against Pyramid Hill in round two.
The Panthers’ squad includes Todd Davies, captain Nathan Devanny, Ben Gregg, David Johnstone and Richard Tibbett.
Bears-Lagoon-Serpentine has the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Bridgewater 158 per cent, 8 points; Marong 138, 8; Mitiamo 120, 4; Pyramid Hill 106, 4; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 84, 4; Calivil United 91, 2; Maiden Gully YCW 74, 2; Inglewood 89, 0; Newbridge 51, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
15 Lachlan Sharp, Bridgewater.
9 Ben Bisset, Pyramid Hill.
9 Seb Erharter, Inglewood.
9 Ryley Taylor, Marong.
8 Josh Mellington, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
6 Tyler James, Maiden Gully YCW.
5 Luke Crawford, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
5 Mitch Langan, Pyramid Hill.
5 Kain Robins, Marong.
4 Ed Crisp, Maiden Gully YCW.
4 Luke Ellings, Bridgewater.
4 Jake Lawry, Calivil United.
4 Farran Priest, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
4 Liam Stephens, Calivil United.
3 Brayden Baines, Mitiamo.
3 Kai Cavallaro, Inglewood.
3 Todd Delahey, Maiden Gully YCW.
3 Jacob Ede, Marong.
3 Ben Knight, Pyramid Hill.
3 Gabe Nevins, Inglewood.
3 Billy Schilling, Newbridge.