– By Nathan Dole
THE rematch of ’24 grand finalists, Marong and Pyramid Hill highlights Saturday’s second round in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL senior footy season.
Marong will be on home turf at Jackal Oval in Malone Park for a 2.15pm start against the Bulldogs.
Both teams won their opening games of the season.
Marong had to dig deep for a seven-point win on Inglewood’s ground at Centre State Scaffolding Oval.
The Bulldogs marked a 52-point win on Newbridge’s turf at Deepcore Drilling Oval in Riverside Oval.
Chasing a fourth consecutive premiership, Marong has a new coaching set-up of Kain Robins, playing, and Paul Thompson, non-playing.
Midfield and on-ball duels will have a major bearing on the Panthers and Bulldogs clash.
Marong ruckman Michael Bradbury sets up plenty of chances for the likes of Nathan Devanny, Corey Gregg, Jimmy Gadsden, Jack and Noah McCaig.
Other key players for the Panthers include Matt Willox, Richard Tibbett, Ben Gregg and Ryley Taylor.
Pyramid Hill’s best at Newbridge included Ben Bisset, Archie Hildebrandt, Kai Daniels and Gavin James.
A strong team in the red, white and blue also has Seb Relouw, Ben Knight, Ryan Semmel, Brad Driscoll and Mitch Gunther capable of winning plenty of contests.
Bears Lagoon Serpentine is on the rebound from a first-round defeat as it tackles Inglewood at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
The Jake Wilkinson-coached Bears were on the end of a 41-point defeat at Bridgewater in the season opener.
Key players for BLS include Josh Mellington at full-forward, Harding medallist Justin Laird, Tyler Miles in defence, captain Charlie Gadsden, Nathan Twigg and Ross Turner.
Inglewood will have gained plenty of confidence from its hit-out with Marong.
Although the Fergus Payne-coached Blues were beaten, 68-61, they showed they are a team to be reckoned with.
Being able to match the Bears scoring power will be crucial to Inglewood’s chances.
In round one it was Gabe Nevins and Seb Erharter who kicked three goals each for the Blues.
The play of Bregon Cotchett, Liam Marciano, captain Nathan Angelino, Daniel Polack and Cody Stobaus will be a key to Inglewood’s goal to beat the Bears.
Mitiamo marks its first match of the season when it takes on Calivil United at Mitiamo’s John Forbes Oval.
A premiership winner with the Superoos in 2019 and star for many seasons, Luke Lougoon takes on the challenge as playing coach this season.
Mitiamo has a challenging start to this campaign as it plays the Demons and then has another rest on the Easter weekend.
Newcomers for Mitiamo’s squad are Jack Daglish and Cody Tuohey from Kerang, Anthony Huismann fom Stanhope, and Dylan Marshman from Southern Mallee Thunder.
The Sam Maher-coached Calivil United drew its opening game at home with Calivil United.
The Demons squad for Saturday includes Justin Hynes, Tallis Miles, Sam Green, Tommi Raukola and Anthony Dennis.
Among the best for East Loddon Rams in last season’s under-18s grand final, Brodie Wagner is one of the young guns to watch in the Demons line-up.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles will be in their nest at Marist College Oval against Bridgewater.
Massive test for an Eagles team coached by Shawn Filo, non-playing, and Angus Monfries, playing.
A huge plus for Maiden Gully YCW is the appearance of former Brisbane Lions and Essendon forward Damian Cupido in attack.
After coaching Maryborough Giants in ’24, Cupido has crossed to the Eagles.
Key players for the Eagles include captain Josh Worsley, Daniel Russell, Ed Crisp, Todd Delahey and Bryce Franzini.
Nathan Murley marks his return to Maiden Gully after playing for South Bendigo last season.
Gun goalkicker Lachlan Sharp marked a winning start to his senior coaching with Bridgewater.
Sharp booted six goals in a 41-point victory against Bears Lagoon Serpentine.
Best for the Mean Machine in round one were Luke Ellings, Alex Powell, Oliver Muggleton and Charlie Clapp.
Newbridge has the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Pyramid Hill 192 per cent, 4 points; Bridgwater 148, 4; Marong 111, 4; Calivil United 100, 2; Maiden Gully YCW 100, 2; Inglewood 89, 0; Bears Lagoon Serpentine 67, 0; Newbridge 51, 0; Mitiamo 0, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
8 Josh Mellington, Bears Lagoon Serpentine.
7 Ben Bisset, Pyramid Hill.
6 Lachlan Sharp, Bridgewater.
4 Ed Crisp, Maiden Gully YCW.
4 Jake Lawry, Calivil United.
3 Todd Delahey, Maiden Gully YCW.
3 Luke Ellings, Bridgewater.
3 Seb Erharter, Inglewood.
3 Mitch Langan, Pyramid Hill.
3 Gabe Nevins, Inglewood.
3 Billy Schilling, Newbridge.
3 Ryley Taylor, Marong.