-By Nathan Dole
Eagles strive to strengthen place in top five
FOURTH in the premiership race, Maiden Gully YCW Eagles will be striving to strengthen its grip on a top five berth in Saturday’s sixth round of Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL senior footy.
The Eagles will be on their turf at Marist College Oval in Maiden Gully against Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
It’s a clash of fourth and sixth from 2.15pm in the Eagles’ nest.
Just as Maiden Gully YCW is determined to increase its lead on the teams below it, BLS will be equally desperate to close the gap.
The Eagles had the bye last Saturday as the Bears were beaten, 120-80 on Marong’s turf at Jackal Oval in Malone Park.
Previous match for the Eagles ended in a 95-83 win on Mitiamo’s turf at John Forbes Oval.
Best for Maiden Gully YCW were Mitch Hill, Tyler James, Ed Crisp and Anthony Robins.
The Eagles are jointly coached by Shawn Filo, non-playing, and former Essendon and Port Adelaide forward/mid Angus Monfries.
Players to watch for Maiden Gully YCW include Daniel Russell, Todd Delahey, Bryce and Kyle Franzini, and captain Josh Worsley.
The Jake Wilkinson-coached Bears know a defeat will leave them on a one-four record.
Best for the Bears at Marong were Jaxon Addlem, Doolan Nihill, Jeremy Hancock and Nathan Twigg.
The BLS squad includes Charlie Gadsden, Tyler Miles, Aidan Brohm, Nathan Twigg, Farran Priest and Harding medallist Justin Laird.
Mitiamo will be home at John Forbes Oval to take on Newbridge.
The Superoos are against an opponent eyeing back-to-back wins after a nine-goal win at Calivil last Saturday.
The Luke Lougoon-coached Mitiamo was outgunned by Inglewood on the Blues’ ground at Centre State Scaffolding Oval.
Best for the Superoos were Luke Lougoon, Zach Morrison, Matt Gilmour and Seth Wright.
Big roles for Mitiamo defenders Jayden Matthews and Ben Bradford, premiership-winning centreman Doug Thomas, captain Ryan Duncan, Brayden Baines and Cody Tuohey.
The Matt McArthur-coached Newbridge has Billy Schilling, Sam Gale, Chris Dixon and Ricky Cathie as targets in attack.
Tyler Constable was selected in the centre where he will team with Kobe Friswell and Connor Sheppard on the wings.
Other players to watch in the maroon and white are ruckman Will Copland, Jed Zimmer, Andrwe Padbury and Dylan Lloyd.
Bridgewater will be back on home turf to play Calivil United.
The Lachie Sharp-coached Bridgewater was overrun in the final quarter as Pyramid Hill scored a 51-point win at home.
Best for Bridgewater were Darcy Ferguson, Jack Neylon, Oscar McKinley and Alex Powell.
A win-loss tally of three-two has Bridgewater in third place in the premiership race.
Huge plus for the Mean Machine is talented forward Harry Conway playing his first senior match of the season.
Players to watch for Bridgewater include ruck-rover Luke Ellings, Charlton Hindle, Jack Symons, Harry McKinley and Tyler Estrada.
The Mean Machine will be without on-baller Boden Alexander after he was handed a one-match penalty for rough conduct.
Massive test for Calivil United defenders Liam Stephens, Kane Shelton, Jack Maher and Jake Lawry.
Demons’ coach Sam Maher will play as ruck-rover and team with Jayden Leach, Sam Green and Rhys Lourie at centre ball-ups.
Pyramid Hill will be back at Mitchell Park to host Inglewood.
The Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Bulldogs dominated the final term of the round five clash with Bridgewater.
Best in the Hill’s latest win were Brodie Carroll, Zach Alford, Archie Hildebrandt and Bailey George.
A strong on-ball group for Pyramid Hill is led by ruckman Kai Daniels, the experienced Ben Knight, Brodie Carroll and Steven Gunther.
Recruited from Mount Pleasant, Ben Bisset has starred in the Bulldogs’ attack.
Other players to watch in the red, white and blue include Ryan Semmel, Dylan Morison, Mitch Langan and Mitch Cheesman.
After starting with a hat-trick of defeats the Fergus Payne-coached Inglewood has struck back to win its past two.
Best for the Fergus Payne-coached Blues in an 81-point win against Mitiamo were Bregon Cotchett, Harry Veitch, Seb Erharter and Luke Matheson.
Crucial roles for the Blues will be played by Keelan Payne, Cody Stobaus and Nathan Angelino in defence, Thomas Kennedy in the ruck, Thomas Guerra and Tynan Hywood in midfield.
Inglewood has Kai Cavallaro, Liam Marciano and Daniel Polack in the forward line.
Marong has the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Marong 186 per cent, 20 points; Pyramid Hill 153, 16; Bridgewater 99, 12; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 96, 10; Inglewood 141, 8; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 73, 4; Newbridge 69, 4; Mitiamo 56, 4; Calivil United 53, 2.
Leading goalkickers:
29 Lachie Sharp, Bridgewater.
27 Seb Erharter, Inglewood.
21 Ben Bisset, Pyramid Hill.
20 Ryley Taylor, Marong.
14 Billy Schilling, Newbridge.
12 Liam Marciano, Inglewood.
11 Brayden Baines, Mitiamo.
11 Tyler James, Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.
11 Oscar McKinley, Bridgewater.
11 Josh Mellington, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
7 Zach Alford, Pyramid Hill.
7 Luke Crawford, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
7 Nathan Devanny, Marong.
7 Daniel Polack, Inglewood.
7 Kain Robins, Marong.
6 Kai Cavallaro, Inglewood.
6 Bregon Cotchett, Inglewood.
6 Jacob Ede, Marong.
6 Harrison Goodes, Pyramid Hill.
6 Jack McCaig, Marong.
6 Noah McCaig, Marong.
6 Ryan Semmel, Pyramid Hill.
6 Matt Willox, Marong.
6 Seth Wright, Mitiamo.