FAST approaching the halfway mark of the season, Bears Lagoon Serpentine and Inglewood meet in Saturday’s match of the day in round eight of the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League’s senior footy action.
The Bears and Blues are fifth and sixth on the ladder and will be primed for a big match at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
Victory would give Inglewood an eight-point lead on BLS in the premiership race.
A Bears win would mean it draws level with Inglewood on a 3-4 record.
After a bye, Inglewood will be back in action and determined to regain the form of its wins against Calivil United, Maiden Gully YCW, and Newbridge.
The Darrell Billett-coached Blues were also outplayed by more experienced teams such as Bridgewater, 128 to 55; Mitiamo, 101-96; and Marong, 178 to 47.
The Bears will be fired up after a 100-point loss on Marong’s turf.
Key players for BLS include coach Justin Laird in the ruck or attack; Andrew Gladman and Miggy Podosky in attack; Josh Walsh off a half-back flank; Kalem Paxton, Charlie and Harrison Gadsden, and Rhonen Maher.
Inglewood has shown it has plenty of goalscoring options through the play of Traiton Kendal, Alex Lowe, Charlie McGaw and Cody Wright.
Other players to the watch for the Blues include Cody Stobaus, Bregon Cotchett, Nathan Angelino, Luke Matheson and James Woods.
Calivil United faces another tough task against the ladder-leading Marong.
A week after tackling the unbeaten Pyramid Hill at Mitchell Park, the Demons are up against a red-hot Panthers line-up.
The Jack Daley-coached Demons will look to captain Evan Ritchie, and experienced players such as Phil Ryan, Jacob Greenwood, Ben Daley and Brock Rogers will be doing all they can to keep the heat on Marong all match.
Major challenge for Calivil United will be to limit the impact of Panthers’ gun forward Brandyn Grenfell who kicked eight goals last round for a season tally of 52.
A formidable Marong attack includes Cory Jacobs, Adrian Pappin, and has the likes of Nathan Devanny, Corey Gregg and Richard Tibbett pushing forward to kick goals.
In-form players for Marong include Jimmy Gadsden, Ben Gregg, Jack McCaig and Ryley Taylor.
Bridgewater is back on home turf to tackle Maiden Gully YCW.
The Mean Machine powered to a 52-point win at Newbridge last Saturday as Josh Martyn, seven goals; and Andy Collins, six, played starring roles.
Bridgewater’s best as it squared the ledger at 3-3 were Luke Harrison, Andy Collins, Zane Hoiles, Emile Pavlich and Lachlan Allison.
Bridgewater coach Rick Ladson will be wary of an Eagles line-up which has improved dramatically the past two rounds.
Key players for the Machine include ruckman Cameron Ross, Harry Donegan, Lloyd Needs and Jack Symons.
After a 14-point win at Calivil in round six, the Wayne Mitrovic-coached Eagles were within 11 points of Mitiamo when the siren sounded to end last Saturday’s clash at Marist College.
The Eagles scored 7.2 to 1.2 in the final term against the Superoos.
Key players for Maiden Gully YCW include ruckman/forward Chris Howgate, midfielder Nathan Murley, Lachie Sobina, Jack Gallaher, Cooper Hale, Joel Dwyer and Hamish McCartney.
Pyramid Hill and Newbridge clash at Mitchell Park.
The Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Bulldogs are likely to have too many scoring options for the Maroons to stop.
A talented Pyramid Hill attack includes Braidy and Ryley Dickens, Bailey George and Sebastian Relouw.
Best in the Bulldogs’ latest win were Ryley Dickens, Jack Timmins, Gavin James, Nathan Catherwood, Steven Gunther and Ed Caburnay.
Newbridge worked hard to be within four goals of Bridgwater at a quarter to go.
Chris Dixon led the Maroons attack on five goals and is a player who makes the most of his opportunities.
The Luke Freeman-coached Newbridge will look to Harry Whittle, Logan Dixon, Mitch Hocking, Dylan Lloyd, Tyler McLeod and Jordan Anderson to lead the way.
Mitiamo has the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Marong 250 per cent, 24 points; Pyramid Hill 237, 24; Mitiamo 127, 20; Bridgewater 109, 12; Inglewood 84, 12; Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 61, 8; Calivil United 75, 4; Newbridge 52, 4; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 48, 4.
Leading goalkickers:
52 Brandyn Grenfell, Mar.
21 Josh Martyn, B’water.
19 Andy Collins, B’water.
16 Bailey George, PH.
14 Chris Dixon, New.; Jacob Greenwood, CU; Justin Laird, BLS; Jay Reynolds, Miti.
13 Jason Butty, MGYCW; Harry Whittle, New.
11 Nathan Devanny, Mar.; Adrian Pappin, Mar.
10 Traiton Kendal, I’wood; Charlie McGaw, I’wood; Kain Robins, Mar.; Ryley Taylor, Mar.
9 Braidy Dickens, PH; Kyle Manley, Mar.
8 Andrew Gladman, BLS; Jake Lawry, CU; Alex Lowe, I’wood; Lloyd Needs, B’water; Rhonen Maher, BLS; Cody Wright, I’wood.
Goals from Inglewood’s win at Calivil in round one are to be added.
Written by Nathan Dole.