Inglewood chases rare feat of consecutive wins
INGLEWOOD has not chased consecutive victories in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League’s senior footy competition for many rounds.
The Blues will do so this Saturday when they take on Maiden Gully YCW at Inglewood in round two of the ’22 campaign.
The Darrell Billett-coached Inglewood stunned Calivil United as it scored a 94-64 victory in last Saturday’s first-round match on Calivil United’s turf.
Six goals by Thomas Kennedy and five by last season’s club champion Cody Stobaus lifted the Blues to their first win in a long time.
Confidence and spirits within the Blues camp have soared as they prepare to take on a Maiden Gully YCW line-up which was outgunned by Marong under the Marist College Oval lights in round one.
Not only must the Eagles work to limit the goalscoring impact of Kennedy and Stobaus, but also the play of Blues’ recruits Bregon Cotchett, Charlie McGaw and Alex Lowe.
Others to watch for the Blues include Luke Matheson at centre half-back, Traiton Kendal at centre half-forward, and ruckman Thomas Kennedy.
It was a tough start for the Wayne Mitrovic-coached Eagles in which new full-forward Jason Butty was the only multiple goalkicker on two.
Key players for the Eagles include Steve Turner in defence, Nathan Murley on a wing, Jason Butty, Cooper Hale at half-back, and coach Wayne Mitrovic in attack.
Gun ruckman/forward Chris Howgate is also in for this match.
Another big match will be at Malone Park where the ladder-leading Marong takes on Bridgewater.
Both teams are likely to be challenging for a top-three berth all season.
Marong’s percentage sits at 502 after a 186-37 victory on Maiden Gully YCW’s turf.
Gun forward Brandyn Grenfell dominated the Panthers attack on eight goals as Adrian Pappin, six; and Kain Robins, five; also starred for Marong last week.
A powerful Panthers line-up is led by Robins across half-forward, the versatile Richard Tibbett, ruckman Sam Taylor, and has the pace and skill of Ben and Corey Gregg and Jimmy Gadsden.
Bridgewater will be determined to strike back after a 20-point loss at home to Pyramid Hill.
Defences were well on top as the Mean Machine was held to just 48 points and Josh Martyn, two, was the only multiple goalkicker for the red and white.
The Rick Ladson-coached Bridgewater will aim to lift the pressure and workrate through the midfield and onball contests and limit scoring chances for the Panthers.
The play of ruckman Cameron Ross, the skilful Andy Collins, Harry Donegan, Lloyd Needs and Callum Prest will vital to the Machine’s prospects.
After waiting an extra week to take to the field, Newbridge takes on Mitiamo at Holloway Air Riverside Oval in Newbridge.
The Luke Freeman-coached Maroons have several new faces.
A goal for Newbridge is to be more competitive in every quarter.
Reigning Harding medallist Harry Whittle will again play a vital role the Maroons in midfield, onball or when resting closer to goal.
Recruits for Newbridge include Will Daly back from Kyneton, and Huntly midfielder Jordan Formosa.
Ruckman Pat Andrews, defender Caleb Sanders from North Bendigo, and the hard-running Tyler McLeod from South Bendigo are also new for the Maroons.
The Newbridge squad includes Mitch Hocking, Corey Van Aken, Caleb Argus, Chris and Logan Dixon.
Mitiamo kicked off the season by scoring a 14-goal win against Bears Lagoon Serpentine on the Superoos’ ground at John Forbes Oval.
Jay Reynolds led Miti’s attack on four goals as Lee Dale added three.
A formidable Superoos team coached by Marcus McKern includes Luke Lougoon, Michael I’Anson, Kyle Patten and Carl Nicholson.
Stung by defeat in round one, Bears Lagoon Serpentine and Calivil United meet at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Recreation Reserve.
The Bears were kept goalless in the last three quarters of a 22-106 loss at Mitiamo.
New coach Justin Laird will look to Josh Walsh, Ryan Prendergast, James Bailey and Harrison Gadsden to lead a young Bears line-up.
Ins to the Bears squad include Miggy Podosky who had another great season bowling for Bendigo United Cricket Club and is the newest life member of the Redbacks.
The Jack Daley-coached Calivil United battled to overcome a slow start after Inglewood raced to a 39-point lead by half-time of their match.
Jake Lawry and recruit Phil Ryan led the Demons’ attack on three and two goals respectively.
Players to watch for Calivil United include Ben Daley, Brock Rogers, Evan Ritchie and Alex Daniels.
Pyramid Hill has the bye.
All senior matches start at 2.15pm.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Marong 502 per cent, 4 points; Mitiamo 481, 4; Inglewood 146, 4; Pyramid Hill 141, 4; Bridgewater 70, 0; Calivil United 68, 0; Bears Lagoon Serpentine 20, 0; Maiden Gully YCW 19, 0; Newbridge 0, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
8 Brandyn Grenfell, Mar.
6 Thomas Kennedy, I’wood; Adrian Pappin, Mar.
5 Kain Robins, Mar.; Cody Stobaus, I’wood.
4 Charlie Ingham, I’wood; Jay Reynolds, Miti.
3 Lee Dale, Miti; Jake Lawry, CU.
Written by Nathan Dole.