Inglewood marks long-awaited victory
INGLEWOOD celebrated a long-awaited senior footy victory with gusto after Saturday’s five-goal triumph against Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League rival Calivil United.
Greater accuracy in attack played a big part in the win by the Darrell Billett-coached Inglewood on the Demons turf at Calivil.
The Blues led 4.0 to 1.3 at quarter-time and did not let up in the second as they charged to a 9.2 (56) to 2.7 (19) lead by half-time.
The Jack Daley-coached Calivil United was within four goals going into the final term, but the Blues added 4.1 to 3.1 in last to mark a 15.4 (94) to 9.10 (64) victory.
There were plenty of recruits in the Inglewood line-up.
Alex Lowe from Melbourne won plenty of the footy and the pressure and workrate by Bregon Cotchett was a highlight for the Blues.
Inglewood’s defence led by Cody Stobaus and Luke Matheson responded to plenty of challenges.
Leading goalkickers for the Demons were Jake Lawry, three, and Phil Ryan, two.
Calivil United’s best were Ben Daley, Alex Daniels, Evan Ritchie, Jack Daley, Jack Burns and Brock Rogers.
The Bulldogs from Pyramid Hill showed plenty of fight in a tough win on Bridgewater’s ground.
In his first match as senior coach, Nathan Fitzpatrick was rapt with Pyramid Hill’s ability to keep the pressure up in the difficult conditions.
The Bulldogs led 15-13 at quarter-time and 4.5 to 3.3 in the second to lead 44-34 by half-time.
The Rick Ladson-coached Bridgewater hit the front in the third term, but Pyramid Hill finished strongly to win 9.14 (68) to 7.6 (48).
Bulldogs’ midfielder Ryley Dickens capped his first game for the club by being among the best, while Steve Gunther also starred in his return to the club.
Other players to impress for Pyramid Hill included Bailey George, Zac Dingwall and Ben Dalton.
Another player to mark his return to a club, Callum Prest was Bridgewater’s best as ruckman Cameron Ross, Jake Rusbridge, the classy Harry Donegan, Tynan Hywood and Emile Pavlich played well.
Mitiamo’s incredible run just kept on rolling at John Forbes Oval.
With Marcus McKern in charge as coach, Mitiamo’s ruthless approach to the contest was again to the fore.
The Superoos led 36-13 at quarter-time of the clash with Bears Lagoon Serpentine and had gained a 47-point lead by the long break.
New full-forward Jay Reynolds kicked a match-high four goals as Lee Dale, three; Carl Nicholson and Ryan Wellington, two, were also on target.
It was a tough initiation for Bears’ playing coach Justin Laird.
The Bears worked hard to set up attacks, but a return of 2.10 was disappointing against a team which scored 15.16.
Not only did the Mitiamo defence shut down the Bears attack, but also generated plenty of run and creativity off the half-back line.
Superoos’ veteran Luke Lougoon was best afield as Lee Dale, Carl Nicholson, Jack Vinnicombe, Kyle Patten and Michael I’Anson also starred.
James Bailey and Ryan Prendergast were best for the Bears.
The day’s play was completed under lights at Marist College Oval in Maiden Gully as the Maiden Gully YCW Eagles took on Marong.
A Marong attack led by Brandyn Grenfell, eight goals; Adrian Pappin, six, and Kain Robins, five, overwhelmed the Eagles.
The Linton Jacobs-coached Marong led 48-1 at quarter-time and by the long break held an 11-goal lead.
A Michelsen Medallist in the Bendigo FNL and premiership star with Eaglehawk, Robins was best afield as Marong scored 16.4 to 3.4 in the second half on the way to a 28.13 (181) to 5.7 (37) victory.
Others to impress for Marong were the athletic Richard Tibbett, Jimmy Gadsden and ruckman Sam Taylor.
The play of youngsters such as Ryley Taylor and Jack McCaig showed the Panthers will again be a serious challenger for the premiership flag.
New full-forward Jason Butty kicked two of the five goals for the Wayne Mitrovic-coached Maiden Gully YCW.
Best for the Eagles were long-time defender Steve Turner, Hamish McCartney, Nathan Murley, Cooper Hale and Corey Walsh.
Newbridge had the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Mitiamo 481 per cent, 4 points; Marong 421, 4; Inglewood 146, 4; Pyramid Hill 141, 4; Bridgewater 70, 0; Calivil United 68, 0; Maiden Gully YCW 23, 0; Bears Lagoon Serpentine 20, 0; Newbridge 0, 0.
In next Saturday’s second round, Inglewood will chase consecutive victories when it takes on Maiden Gully YCW on the Blues’ turf at Inglewood.
Newbridge marks the start of a new campaign against Mitiamo at Holloway Air Riverside Oval in Newbridge.
Bears Lagoon Serpentine and Calivil United will be keen to bounce back from defeat when they meet at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Recreation Reserve.
Marong will be fired up for its challenge with Bridgewater in the Panthers’ den at Malone Park.
Pyramid Hill has the bye.
Written by Nathan Dole.