A CLASH with Marong is a daunting assignment in any round of Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL season.
Facing the Panthers after a rarity of consecutive defeats makes the task even more so.
This Saturday it’s the Maiden Gully YCW Eagles who take on a Marong team in the 16th round at Marist College Oval from 2.15pm.
Stung by losses to Bridgewater and Bears-Lagoon Serpentine the Kain Robins and Paul Thomson-coached Marong had the bye last round.
When the Eagles and Panthers met in round seven it was Marong which claimed a 52-point win on its turf at Jackal Oval in Malone Park.
The Eagles worked hard in a 96-52 loss at Serpentine last Saturday.
A highlight was the play of co-coach and former Essendon and Port Adelaide forward/mid Angus Monfries as he kicked five goals.
Whatever role he plays, Monfries is a key member of the Eagles team.
Other players to watch for the Eagles include captain Josh Worsley, Mitch Whitham, Daniel Russell, Todd Delahey, Ed Crisp, Stacy Fiske, Bryce and Kyle Franzini.
Marong has plenty of experience on every line.
The Panthers welcome back Shaun Knott to a team that includes Ben Gregg, Richard Tibbett, Zack Turnbull, captain Nathan Devanny, Matt Willox and Michael Bradbury.
Mitiamo will be back on its ground at John Forbes Oval to play Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
The Luke Lougoon-coached Mitiamo teamed brilliantly to win at Newbridge’s Deepcore Drilling Riverside Oval by 62 points last round.
It’s a huge challenge for the Superoos against the Bears.
Mitiamo’s team includes Doug Thomas, Andrew Cussen, Brayden Baines, Tyler Rasmussen, Bryce Laird, Zach Morrison and Jack Daglish.
The Jake Wilkinson-coached Bears squad includes Harry Gadsden, Tom Hawker, Justin Laird, Tyler Miles, Ross Turner, Josh Mellington and Tyler Miles.
Inglewood returns to its ground at Centre State Scaffolding Oval to play Calivil United.
The Fergus Payne-coached Inglewood will be determined to build on the momentum from a breakthough win against Pyramid Hill.
In-form players for the Blues include Liam Marciano, Kai Cavallaro, Bregon Cotchett, Thomas Kennedy, Gabe Nevins and Harry Veitch.
Huge task for the Sam Maher-coached Demons against the Blues who won the round seven clash by 89 points.
Calivil United will also be determined to hit back after being held to a goal by Bridgewater last Saturday.
The Demons’ squad includes Anthony Dennis, Sam Green, Rhys Lourie, Henry McCarthy, Jayden Manderson, Tommi Raukola and Riley Walsh.
A red-hot Bridgewater will be on home turf against Newbridge.
The Mean Machine motored to a 101-point win on Newbridge’s ground in round seven.
Bridgewater coach Lachie Sharp rolls into this match on a season tally of 86 goals.
The gun forward is likely to have plenty of scoring chances in this contest.
The Bridgewater squad includes Harry Conway, Luke Ellings, Darcy Ferguson, Josh Martyn, James and Nic Naughton, Harry Symons, and Darcy Wood.
Massive task for the Matt McArthur-coached Newbridge to limit the quality and quantity of supply to Bridgewater’s forwards.
Key players for the Maroons include Caleb Argus, Tyler Constable, Chris Dixon, Jackson Hufer, Dylan Lloyd, Billy Schilling and Jed Zimmer.
Pyramid Hill has the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Bridgewater 176 per cent, 48 points; Marong 194, 44; Pyramid Hill 171, 40; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 118, 32; Inglewood 122, 28; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 73, 22; Newbridge 53, 12; Mitiamo 52, 12; Calivil United 40, 2.
Leading goalkickers:
86 Lachie Sharp, Bridgewater.
64 Ben Bisset, Pyramid Hill.
53 Seb Erharter, Inglewood.
52 Josh Mellington, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
38 Ryley Taylor, Marong.
35 Billy Schilling, Newbridge.
34 Kain Robins, Marong.
28 Oscar McKinley, Bridgewater.
26 Tyler James, Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.
23 Henry McCarthy, Calivil United.
23 Ryan Semmel, Pyramid Hill.
20 Kai Cavallaro, Inglewood.
20 Farran Priest, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
19 Zach Alford, Pyramid Hill.
19 Liam Marciano, Inglewood.
18 Brayden Baines, Mitiamo.
18 Michael Bradbury, Marong.
18 Ben Knight, Pyramid Hill.
18 Oliver Watt, Bridgewater.
17 Bregon Cotchett, Inglewood.
17 Angus Monfries, Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.
16 Todd Delahey, Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.
16 Harrison Goodes, Pyramid Hill.
16 Nic Naughton, Bridgewater.
15 Boden Alexander, Bridgewater.
15 Seth Wright, Mitiamo.
13 Luke Ellings, Bridgewater.
13 Kobe Galvin, Mitiamo.
13 Justin Laird, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.