Superoos step into Panthers’ den at Marong
MITIAMO steps into the Panthers’ den at Marong for Saturday’s 12th round of senior footy in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League season.
It’s first against third at Malone Park.
The round three showdown between these clubs at John Forbes Oval in Mitiamo ended in an 89-74 victory for Marong.
Panthers’ gun forward Brandyn Grenfell was held to a tally of three goals as Luke Lougoon, Ross Turner and Lucas Matthews were Mitiamo’s best.
Best for Marong in that clash were David Johnstone, Brodie Hartland and Jack McCaig.
Mitiamo faces a huge challenge in trying to stop Grenfell this time.
After a 10-goal haul in last Saturday’s win at Bridgewater, Grenfell is on 81 goals.
The onus is not just on Mitiamo’s defence to lessen his impact, but also the on-ballers and midfield to limit the number and quality of passes to Marong’s focal point.
Key players for the Marcus McKern-coached Mitiamo include Harry McCormick, Daniel Mowat and Jack Vinnicombe in defence; ruckman Michael I’Anson, ruck-rover Lee Dale, and an attack led by Jay Reynolds, Ryan Wellington and Jarryd Wiegard.
In-form players for Marong include Corbin Fleming, Ryley Taylor, Justin Hynes and Nathan Devanny.
The Linton Jacobs-coached Panthers also have Adam Ward and Will Gadsden in defence, Ben and Corey Gregg, Kyle Manley and Carl Thiesz capable of winning plenty of the footy.
Bears Lagoon Serpentine take on the unbeaten Pyramid Hill at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
In round three, Pyramid Hill scored a 49-point win against the Bears at Mitchell Park.
Last Saturday’s three-point win by the Bears at Calivil was crucial in the battle to be fifth.
Andrew Gladman kicked six goals in the Bears latest win as Darcy Poulter, James Bailey and Zachary Stone were best.
Players to watch for BLS include coach Justin Laird, Josh Walsh, Jeremy Hancock, Kalem Paxton, Charlie and Harrison Gadsden.
The Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Bulldogs take to the field after a bye.
There is plenty to like about Pyramid Hill’s play as it strives to break a long-running premiership drought.
A powerful attack includes Braidy and Ryley Dickens, and Bailey George; and the skill of captain Steven Gunther, Gavin James, Brad Ladson, Seb Relouw and Billy Micevski.
The Bulldogs’ running power will test the Bears in every quarter.
Newbridge meets Maiden Gully YCW on the Maroons’ turf at Holloway Air Riverside Oval.
The Maroons won the round three clash in the Eagles’ nest by eight points.
Harry Whittle, Tyler McLeod, Mitch Hocking and Cameron Grant were Newbridge’s best in that contest.
The Maroons’ defence faces a big task in stopping Jason Butty who kicked nine goals as Maiden Gully YCW scored a 156-68 victory on home turf against Inglewood last round.
Best for the Wayne Mitrovic-coached Eagles were Corey Walsh, Jessi Lampi, Jason Butty, mid-season recruit Damian Wust, Brayden Aitken and Joel Dwyer.
Other key players for the MGYCW line-up include Ryan Strauch, Natnael McLaren and Nathan Murley.
A much better start will be the focus for the Luke Freeman-coached Newbridge against the Eagles.
The Maroons scored 1.3 in the first half of a 109-22 loss on Mitiamo’s turf last Saturday.
On-baller Caleb Argus marked his best match of the season for Newbridge against the Superoos as Jordan Anderson, Jack Clark and Caleb Sanders worked hard.
The Maroons will again be without Harding medallist Harry Whittle.
The play of Chris Dixon, Cameron Grant, Dylan Lloyd, Ryan Burt and Marcus Pitto will be a key to Newbridge’s chances of marking its third win of the season.
Inglewood and Bridgewater clash at Inglewood’s Dissy Machinery Oval.
The Blues and Mean Machine are on the rebound from defeat.
In round three, Bridgewater beat the Blues by 73 points.
This match is must-win for the Rick Ladson-coached Bridgewater to keep the heat on the third-placed Mitiamo in the fight for the double chance at finals time.
The Darrell Billett-coached Blues are eight points behind the fifth-placed Bears Lagoon Serpentine.
Key players for Inglewood include Charlie Ingham, Nathan Angelino, Charlie McGaw, Bregon Cotchett, Thomas Kennedy, Reuben Johnson, Alex Lowe and James Woods.
The goalkicking power of Andy Collins and Josh Martyn is a huge plus for Bridgewater.
Players to watch for the Mean Machine include Harry Donegan, Emile Pavlich, Callum Prest, Brayden Stepien, Jack Symons and Tim Wood.
Calivil United has the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Marong 301 per cent, 36 points; Pyramid Hill 284, 36; Mitiamo 130, 28; Bridgewater 101, 20; Bears Lagoon Serpentine 82, 20; Inglewood 65, 12; Calivil United 70, 8; Maiden Gully YCW 55, 8; Newbridge 46, 8.
Leading goalkickers:
81 Brandyn Grenfell, Mar.
33 Josh Martyn, B’water.
31 Jason Butty, MGYCW.
30 Bailey George, PH.
26 Jacob Greenwood, CU.
25 Andrew Gladman, BLS.
23 Andy Collins, B’water.
22 Braidy Dickens, PH.
21 Justin Laird, BLS; Jay Reynolds, Miti.
18 Chris Dixon, New.
17 Ryley Taylor, Mar.
16 Ryan Wellington, Miti.
Written by Nathan Dole.