Forwards fire in big victories across valley

KEY forwards were in hot form in Saturday’s second round of the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League’s senior footy action.

One of several key recruits at Bridgewater, Josh Martyn kicked seven goals in Bridgewater’s big win at Serpentine.

There were plenty of recruits on show as Bridgewater took on Bears Lagoon Serpentine.

The Mean Machine led 35-14 at quarter-time and 60-42 by the long break.

In the cruicial third term it was Bridgewater which stamped its authority on the contest as it added 5.6 to 1.1.

By the final siren, Bridgewater led 132-70.

Although it was Martyn who was the focal point in attack, Liam Jacques and Alex Powell did well to add three majors apiece.

The Bears attack was led by Jesse Evans on three.

Bridgewater’s best were Caillum Brady, Martyn, Harry McKinley and Joseph Mayes.

Best for the Bears were Nathan Twigg, Brodie Hawke, Darcy Poulter and Conor Hamilton.

Pyramid Hill’s star forward Braidy Dickens showed he will be tough to beat in the goalkicking race after an eight-goal return on Newbridge’s turf at Simonds Homes Riverside Oval.

The Bulldogs led 51-16 at half-time, but Newbridge worked hard to reduce the deficit to just 15 at a quarter to play.

Pyramid Hill scored 5.5 to 1.3 in the last term to win 101-50.

Dickens, Matt Pollock, Matt Ladson and Billy Micevski were best for the Bulldogs.

Harry Whittle kicked three goals and was Newbridge’s best, along with Logan Dixon, Mac Whittel and Dylan Lloyd.

Goalless in round one, Calivil United struck back to score majors in the opening term of its clash with Maiden Gully YCW Eagles at Calivil’s 5 Star Stockfeeds Oval.

The Demons trailled 19-20 at quarter-time, but the Eagles upped the intensity to add six goals and keep Calivil United scoreless in the second term.

Maiden Gully led 56-19 at half-time and went on to win 135-36.

The classy Natnael McLaren kicked seven goals in a best afield performance as Luke and Matt Gray added three majors apiece.

Calivil United’s attack was led by Jake Lawry on two.

Best for the Eagles included Riley Hamilton, ruckman Chris Howgate and Cohen Kekich.

Leighton Coe, Bailey Greenwood, Tim Lloyd and Jordan Lea worked hard for the Demons.

The Downie brothers, Brent and Tyrone were in hot form as Mitiamo defeated Inglewood at John Forbes Oval.

Brent Downie kicked seven goals and Tyrone added  four as the Superoos won 181-15.

Mitiamo also had Ryan Wellington, four goals, and Lee Dale, three, capitalise on the onballers and midfield dominance.

Tynan Hywood kicked both of Inglewood’s goals.

Best for Mitiamo were Brent Downie, Dale, Nathan Twigg and Dylan Mutu.

Inglewood’s best were Tom Alexander, Hywood, Nathan Wallace and Josh Taig.

Marong had the bye.

Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:

Pyramid Hill 440 per cent, 8 points; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 410, 8; Mitiamo 390, 8; Marong 7150, 4; Bridgewater 188, 4; Bears Lagoon Serpentine 58, 0; Newbridge 35, 0; Calivil United 13, 0; Inglewood 8, 0.

In next Saturday’s third round, Mitiamo marks a hat-trick of home ground appearances to open the season when it tackles Newbridge at John Forbes Oval.

Bridgewater is at home to face Inglewood at Laser Plumbing Bendigo Oval.

Maiden Gully YCW Eagles play Marong at Marist College Oval.

Pyramid Hill is at home in Mitchell Park to face Calivil United.

Bears Lagoon Serpentine has the bye.

 

Written by Nathan Dole