Chris Dixon’s sixth goal seals Newbridge win against Bridgewater
CHRIS Dixon’s sixth goal just before the final siren clinched a dramatic victory for Newbridge against Bridgewater in Saturday’s 16th round of senior footy in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League.
Newbridge went into the match on Bridgewater’s turf as massive underdogs, but showed plenty of fight all match to claim a memorable 82-79 win.
The Maroons led 67-62 before a couple of goals by the classy Andy Collins put Bridgewater in front.
Led by the play of Dylan Lloyd and Austin Fithall in defence, hard-at-it onballer Caleb Argus, and Chris Dixon in attack it was the Luke Freeman-coached Newbridge which never gave up.
Dixon kicked the match-winning goal after a mark about 40m out.
In what’s been a tough season, Newbridge’s players and fans were ecstatic to have toppled the Mean Machine.
It was Dixon and Caleb Sanders, two, who led the Maroons’ attack.
Bridgewater’s star forwards Andy Collins, two, and Josh Martyn, one, were kept in check for a lot of the contest by Dylan Lloyd and Austin Fithall.
Leading goalkickers for the Rick Ladson-coached Bridgewater were Tyler Estrada and Lloyd Needs on three each.
The Maroons’ best included Will Daly and Brandon Etherington.
Bridgewater’s best were onballer Harry Donegan, Jack and Harry Symons, Emile Pavlich, Callum Prest and Lloyd Needs.
The Superoos from Mitiamo dominated the second half of their home game against Maiden Gully YCW Eagles at John Forbes Oval.
Mitiamo led 54-29 at half-time and then added 4.6 to 1.1 in the third.
In a brilliant final term the Superoos slammed on 6.4 and kept the Eagles scoreless.
Jay Reynolds and Ryan Wellington led Mitiamo’s attack on four and three goals.
Multiple goalkickers for the Eagles were Matt Gilmore and Nathan Murley on two.
Best for the Marcus McKern-coached Mitiamo were Carl Nicholson, Daniel Mowat, Lee Dale, Brayden Baines, Jay Reynolds and Ross Turner.
Jessi Lampi, Nathan Murley, Damian Wust, Natnael McLaren, Ed Crisp and Hamish McCartney played well for the Wayne Mitrovic-coached Eagles.
Pyramid Hill was too strong for an undermanned Calivil United at Calivil.
The Bulldogs led 85-6 at half-time of the clash with the Demons who had many regular players unavailable because of illness.
Bailey George kicked eight goals as Braidy Dickens, five; Steven Gunther and Bryden Morison, four, joined the goalkicking spree in a 183-31 result.
Best for the Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Bulldogs were captain Steven Gunther, Bryden Morison, Ed Caburnay, Bailey George, Scott Mann and Ryley Dickens.
Demons’ coach Jack Daley was best along with Jack Burns, Lachlan Brook, Lachlan McAllister, Jake Lawry and Evan Ritchie.
Eight goals by Brandyn Grenfell has put the Marong star on 137 goals and within reach of the league record.
The Panthers were in hot form as they won 162 to 32 against Bears Lagoon Serpentine at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
A powerful Marong attack had Grenfell, eight; Kain Robins, five; and captain Corey Gregg, three, lead the way.
Goalkickers for the Bears were not supplied.
A Harding medallist as LVFNL senior fairest and best, Corey Gregg was best afield for Marong as Jimmy Gadsden, Nathan Devanny, Adam Ward, Robins and Grenfell also starred for the Linton Jacobs-coached team.
Bears captain-coach Justin Laird was best as Harrison Gadsden, Darcy Poulter, Josh Walsh, Bailey Harrison and Brayden Sheahan did all they could against the ladder leaders.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Marong 338 per cent, 56 points; Pyramid Hill 248, 52; Mitiamo 125, 40; Bridgewater 112, 32; Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 71, 24; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 61, 31; Newbridge 53, 16; Inglewood 54, 12; Calivil United 58, 8.
Leading goalkickers:
137 Brandyn Grenfell, Mar.
49 Bailey George, PH; Josh Martyn, B’water.
36 Jason Butty, MGYCW.
33 Chris Dixon, New.; Kain Robins, Mar.
32 Andy Gladman, BLS; Jay Reynolds, Miti.
31 Andy Collins, B’water.
29 Jacob Greenwood, CU.
28 Braidy Dickens, PH; Ryley Taylor, Mar.
27 Steven Gunther, PH.
25 Ryan Wellington, Miti.
24 Justin Laird, BLS.
22 Nathan Devanny, Mar.
21 Mitch Cheesman, PH.
20 Charlie McGaw, I’wood.
In the 17th round, Maiden Gully YCW Eagles face Bridgewater at Marist College Bendigo in Maiden Gully.
Inglewood tackles Bears Lagoon Serpentine at Inglewood’s Dissy Machinery Oval.
Marong plays Calivil United at Marong’s Malone Park.
Newbridge and Pyramid Hill meet on the Maroons’ turf at Holloway Air Riverside Oval in Newbridge.
Mitiamo has the bye.
Written by Nathan Dole.
Photo Courtesy – Pyramid Hill FNC
