-By Nathan Dole
THE rematch of last season’s A-grade netball grand finalists, Pyramid Hill and Mitiamo highlights this weekend’s third round in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL season.
The Bulldogs and Superoos will play at Pyramid Hill’s Mitchell Park from 3pm.
When they met in last September’s fight for the premiership cup it was Mitiamo which netted a 48-42 victory on its court at John Forbes Oval.
It’s second against third in this round as teams are back on court following the Easter break.
Pyramid Hill marked a 57-50 victory in the second round at Jackal Oval in Marong’s Malone Park.
Mitiamo began a new campaign by scoring a 94-44 win against Calivil United on the Superoos’ court at John Forbes Oval.
It’s a big test for a Pyramid Hill team coached by Chelsea Emmerson, Simone Edgley and Laura Herbert.
Key players in the red, white and blue squad include Abbey, Amber and Morgan Dingwall.
An experienced Mitiamo squad includes Laura Hicks, Alicia Hay, Carly Scholes, Jen Wilson, Alicia Hay, Emma and Kelly Pay.
Mitiamo is now coached by Abbey Battersby and Jess Kaur.
Round three begins with the Anzac Day match between Maiden Gully YCW Eagles and Newbridge at Marist College Oval.
The A-grade contest between Eagles and Maroons starts at 5.30pm.
An Eagles team coached by Leisa Barry is on the rebound from a 13-goal loss at home to Bridgewater.
The Eagles’ squad includes Skye Webb, Rachal Gray, Olivia McCartney and Paige Barry.
Newbridge had the bye in round two following a 51-44 loss to Pyramid Hill in the season opener at Deepcore Drilling Oval in Newbridge’s Riverside Park.
Huge test for the Selina Holland and Kristy Gandy-coached Maroons in the Eagles’ nest.
Newbridge’s squad includes Jorja Hufer, Kym Childs, Rachel Pettifer and Hayley Martiniello.
There will be two matches on Saturday to complete the round from 3pm.
Inglewood takes on Bridgewater at Inglewood’s Centre State Scaffolding Oval.
The Caitlin Cartwright-coached Blues will be determined to end their winless run.
Inglewood’s squad across A-grade and A-reserve includes Elise Long, Maddy Essex, Anika Bysouth and Caitlyn Cartwright.
A Bridgewater line-up coached by Caz Wood and Olivia Hoiles should take the points.
Bridgewater’s squad across A-grade and A-reserve includes Carly Van Den Heuvel, Danielle Flood, Piper Normoyle, Ava and Carolyn Wood, and Chelsie Martyn.
Calivil United is at home against Marong.
The Cindy Portwine-coached Calivil United was outpointed by Mitiamo last round.
The Demons’ squad includes Ava and Gemma Maxted, Georgia Mangan, Hollie Alford, Cindy Portwine, Brianna Richardson and Michelle Balic.
Marong has a one-one record following a seven-goal loss to Pyramid Hill in the second round.
The Panthers are being coached by Bridget Willox.
Key players for Marong include Bianca Garton, Paige Gordon, Brittany Hercus and Kirsty Hamilton.
The ladder-leading Bears Lagoon Serpentine has the bye.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL A-grade netball competition:
Bears Lagoon Serpentine 150 per cent, 8 points; Pyramid Hill 114, 8; Mitiamo 213, 4; Marong 125, 4; Bridgewater 112, 4; Maiden Gully YCW 93, 4; Newbridge 86, 0; Calivil United 62, 0; Inglewood 44, 0.
League ladders:
A-reserve:
Marong 187 per cent, 8 points; Bridgewater 124, 8; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 105, 4; Bears Lagoon Serpentine 98, 4; Mitiamo 100, 2; Newbridge 100, 2; Pyramid Hill 96, 2; Calivil United 85, 2; Inglewood 42, 0.
B-grade:
Bridgewater 164 per cent, 8 points; Marong 136, 8; Newbridge 112, 4; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 101, 4; Bears Lagoon Serpentine 91, 4; Calivil United 83, 4; Mitiamo 86, 0; Pyramid Hill 85, 0; Inglewood 70, 0.
B-reserve:
Bridgewater 147 per cent, 8 points; Pyramid Hill 110, 8; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 125, 4; Marong 110, 4; Calivil United 103, 4; Inglewood 102, 4; Newbridge 96, 0; Mitiamo 56, 0; Bears Lagoon Serpentine 52, 0.
17-and-under:
Marong 279 per cent, 4 points; Bridgewater 257, 8; Calivil United 148, 8; Pyramid Hill 83, 4; Bears Lagoon Serpentine 52, 4; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 74, 0; Newbridge 69, 0; Mitiamo 53, 0; Inglewood 51, 0.
15-and-under:
Calivil United 372 per cent, 8 points; Marong 234, 8; Bears Lagoon Serpentine 144, 8; Pyramid Hill 120, 4; Bridgewater 110, 4; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 57, 0; Inglewood 44, 0; Newbridge 30, 0; Mitiamo 13, 0.
13-and-under:
Marong 207 per cent, 8 points; Maiden Gully YCW 140, 8; Newbridge 380, 4; Calivil United 202, 4; Inglewood 134, 4; Bears Lagoon Serpentine 69, 4; Bridgewater 85, 0; Pyramid Hill 23, 0; Mitiamo 1, 0.