-By Nathan Dole
THE fierce rivalry between Bridgewater and Mitiamo will be renewed in Saturday’s ninth round in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL senior footy action.
Bridgewater has home-ground advantage when the clash with the Superoos starts at 2.15pm.
It’s also the halfway mark of the home-and-away series.
Third in the premiership race on a five-two record, Bridgewater is just a win clear of Bears-Lagoon Serpentine and Inglewood.
The Lachie Sharp-coached Bridgewater is likely to have too much attacking power for Mitiamo to stop across four quarters.
Sharp has kicked 43 goals to be joint leader in the league’s goalkicking race.
Oscar McKinley and Oliver Watt have also capped off many of the Machine’s attacks.
A strong squad representing Bridgewater includes co-captains Josh Martyn and Harry McKinley, Luke Ellings in a midfield or on-ball role, Harry Conway, Jack Neylon, Harry and Jack Symons.
Eli Woodhatch will play his first senior game for Bridgewater.
It’s another tough hit-out for Mitiamo which played Marong last round.
The Superoos were beaten by 124 points on their turf at John Forbes Oval by the reigning premier and ladder leader.
A Mitiamo squad coached by Luke Lougoon includes Brayden Baines, Ryan Duncan, Jackson Falls, Matt Gilmour, Anthony Huismann, Zach Morrison, and Jye and Tyler Rasmussen.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles meet the in-form Pyramid Hill at Marist College in Maiden Gully.
The Eagles worked hard to finish within 19 points of Inglewood last round.
Now the Eagles team coached by Shawn Filo, non-playing, and Angus Monfries, playing, takes on the second-placed Bulldogs.
Key players for the Eagles include Todd Delahey, Daniel Russell, Ed Crisp, Tyler James, Nathan Murley and Bryce Franzini.
It will be game number two for Stacey Fiske with the Eagles.
A career of more than 270 matches for Fiske includes stints with Golden Square, and also as playing coach at Huntly and Lockington Bamawm United.
Pyramid Hill’s goalkicking power will test the Eagles all match.
Recruited to Mitchell Park from Mount Pleasant, Ben Bisset has kicked 33 goals in his first season with the Bulldogs.
A strong line-up coached by Nathan Fitzpatrick includes ruckman Kai Daniels, captain Steven Gunther, Dylan Morison, Ben Knight, Bailey George, Brad Ladson and Mitch Langan.
Bears-Lagoon Serpentine will be on its turf at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve against Calivil United.
The Jake Wilkinson-coached Bears fought back from a nil-three start to now be four-three and in fourth place on the ladder.
Josh Mellington kicked 16 goals in the Bears’ win at Newbridge to now be equal in the goalkicking race.
There was an injury concern for Mellington from that clash.
In-form players for BLS include Harding medallist Justin Laird, Callum Draper, Harry Gadsden, Aidan Brohm and Nathan Twigg.
The Bears’ squad includes the experienced Andy Gladman, Tyler Miles and Ross Turner.
Another big challenge for the Sam Maher-coached Calivil United which played at Pyramid Hill last round.
The Demons squad to tackle the Bears includes former coach Anthony Dennis, Henry McCarthy, Rhys Lourie, Jake Lawry, Tallis Miles and Ronan Sheehan.
Marong will be back on its turf at Jackal Oval in Malone Park to play Newbridge.
Panthers’ coaches Kain Robins, playing, and Paul Thomson, non-playing, would be rapt with the team’s ruthless approach.
There’s been no let-up in Marong’s ferocity at the contest, no matter the opponent.
The Panthers’ attack for this match includes Robins at full-forward, Shaun Knott at centre half-forward, Nathan Devanny and Jack McCaig roving the contests.
Other players to watch for the Panthers include rover Jimmy Gadsden, Richard Tibbett, Jai Gretgrix, Matt Willox and Ryley Taylor.
A multiple premiership winner at Strathfieldsaye Storm, Shannon Geary is back on field for Marong for the first time since round five.
The Panthers also have the experience of the Gregg brothers, Ben and Corey.
The Matt McArthur-coached Newbridge has had Billy Schilling make the most of his chances to kick 22 goals and be fifth on the goalkicking ladder.
Massive test for a Newbridge defence that includes Jack Teasdale, Andrew Padbury, Caleb Sanders and Ashley Mayo.
The Maroons also have the non-stop run of Jed Zimmer and the skilful Tyler Constable, Caleb Argus and Jackson Hufer.
Inglewood has the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Marong 212 per cent, 28 points; Pyramid Hill 190, 24; Bridgewater 131, 20; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 132, 16; Inglewood 131, 16; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 76, 10; Newbridge 55, 8; Mitiamo 46, 4; Calivil United 38, 2.
Leading goalkickers:
43 Josh Mellington, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
43 Lachie Sharp, Bridgewater.
42 Seb Erharter, Inglewood.
33 Ben Bisset, Pyramid Hill.
25 Ryley Taylor, Marong.
22 Billy Schilling, Newbridge.
19 Ryan Semmel, Pyramid Hill.
17 Oscar McKinley, Bridgewater.
15 Tyler James, Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.
13 Liam Marciano, Inglewood.
13 Kain Robins, Marong.
12 Brayden Baines, Mitiamo.
12 Bregon Cotchett, Inglewood.
12 Oliver Watt, Bridgewater.
11 Daniel Polack, Inglewood.