Bridgewater motors to victory against Mitiamo
BRIDGEWATER warmed up for the finals by motoring to a 10-point win against Mitiamo in Saturday’s 18th round in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League’s senior footy action.
It was fourth against third as Bridgewater hosted the Superoos.
The Mean Machine led 25-21 at quarter-time and kicked away to lead by 19 points by the long break after it added 3.6 to 1.3 in the second term.
Mitiamo fought back brilliantly to win the third quarter, 5.5 to 3.0, to be within two points at a quarter to go.
The Rick Ladson-coached Bridgewater took charge in what a high-scoring finish to the contest.
Led by the play of Callum Prest, Emile Pavlich and Nick Hall, Bridgewater scored 6.3 to 5.1 in the last to claikm a 106-96 victory.
The classy Andy Collins led the Machine’s attack on seven goals as Pavlich, three, and Lloyd Needs, two, were other multiple goalkickers.
Mitiamo’s attack was led by Lucas Matthews, three; Tom Grant, Harry McCormick, Jay Reynolds and Ryan Wellington, two each.
Best for Bridgewater included Andy Collins, Lachlan Allison and Harry Donegan.
The Superoos’ best were Lee Dale, Carl Nicholson, Lachlan and Nathan Twigg, Ross Turner and Jarryd Wiegard.
It was a big lift to Bridgewater’s confidence rolling into next Sunday’s elimination final against Bears Lagoon Serpentine at John Forbes Oval in Mitiamo.
The Superoos will aim to bounce back from defeat when they take on Pyramid Hill in Saturday’s qualifying final at Marong’s Malone Park.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles marked Wayne Mitrovic’s final match as senior coach by scoring a stunning 52-point win on Bears Lagoon Serpentine’s turf at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
The Eagles led 33-3 at quarter-time and then opened up an eight-goal buffer by the long break after they added 5.2 to 2.2 in the second term.
It was a more even second half which the Eagles won 43-39 to win 108 to 56.
Gun forward Jason Butty marked a brilliant end to the season by kicking nine goals.
Mitch Dean and Natnael McLaren added two goals apiece for the Eagles.
The Bears’ attack was led by James Bailey and Harry Gadsden with two each.
Maiden Gully YCW’s best were Hunter McDonald, Josh O’Brien, Jason Butty, Brayden Aitken, Natnael McLaren and Mitch Dean.
Best for the Bears were James Bailey, Bailey Harrison, Darcy Poulter, Jeremy Hancock, Jaxon Addlem and Beau Roy-Clements.
The Justin Laird-coached BLS ended the home and away series in fifth place and will meet Bridgewater in the elimination final.
It was a winning end to Luke Freeman’s stint as senior coach at Newbridge.
The Maroons dominated the first half of the clash on Calivil United’s turf at Calivil.
Newbridge led 71-10 at half-time and went on to win 112-41 in what was Jack Daley’s final game as the Demons’ playing coach.
The Maroons’ attack was led by Ryan Burt, Chris Dixon, Tyler McLeod Brodie Pearce, Caleb Sanders on two goals apiece.
Blayne Ryan-Storey kicked two goals for the Demons.
Newbridge’s best were Dylan Lloyd, Caleb Argus, Ryan Burt, Tyler McLeod, Austin Fithall and Mitch Hocking.
Best for the Demons were Jake Lawry, Blayne Ryan-Storey, Caleb Smith, Phil Ryan, Lachlan Brook and Ben Daley.
Pyramid Hill led 50-6 at quarter-time of its home game against Inglewood at Mitchell Park.
The Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Bulldogs scored 4.3 to 1.1 in the second term and had charged to a 90-point lead at a quarter to go.
Scott Mann, Gavin James and Ryley Dickens won plenty of the footy as Pyramid Hill won 163-33.
Key forward Braidy Dickens kicked eight goals for the Bulldogs as Scott Mann, four; Bailey George, Steven Gunther, Will Perryman and Seb Relouw added two majors apiece.
Pyramid Hill’s best included Billy Micevski, Brad Driscoll and Zac Dingwall.
It was a disappointing end to what had been a bright start to the season by the Darrell Billett-coached Inglewood.
The Blues had won three of their four opening matches.
Best for Inglewood at Pyramid Hill were Bregon Cotchett, Charlie Ingham, Nathan Angelino, Tom Alexander, Tom Kennedy and Jaspa Wendels.
Marong had the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Marong 351 per cent, 60 points; Pyramid Hill 284, 60; Mitiamo 122, 40; Bridgewater 112, 40; Bears Lagoon Serpentine 72, 28; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 66, 20; Newbridge 53, 20; Inglewood 53, 12; Calivil United 52, 8.
Goalkicking award:
143 Brandyn Grenfell, Mar.
56 Bailey George, PH.
53 Josh Martyn, B’water.
45 Jason Butty, MGYCW.
44 Braidy Dickens, PH.
42 Andy Collins, B’water.
37 Kain Robins, Mar.
35 Chris Dixon, New.; Andy Gladman, BLS.
34 Jay Reynolds, Miti.
31 Ryley Taylor, Mar.
30 Steven Gunther, PH.
29 Jacob Greenwood, CU.
27 Ryan Wellington, Miti.
25 Charlie McGaw, I’wood.
24 Nathan Devanny, Mar.; Justin Laird, BLS.
23 Mitch Cheesman, PH.
22 Seb Relouw, PH.
21 Lucas Matthews, Miti.
Finals action kicks off next Saturday when qualifying finals are played at Marong’s Malone Park.
Pyramid Hill and Mitiamo meet in the seniors match at 2.15pm.
The winner advances to the second semi-final showdown with Marong on August 27 at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
In the reserves qualifying final, Pyramid Hill takes on Bridgewater from 12.30pm.
Elimination finals are on Sunday at John Forbes Oval in Mitiamo.
The senior teams from Bridgewater and Bears Lagoon Serpentine will fight to stay in the premiership race from 2.15pm.
Newbridge and Bears Lagoon Serpentine will contest the reserves match from 12.30pm.
Finals for the under-18s footy competition begin with the first semi-final on August 20 at Malone Park in Marong.
East Loddon takes on Inglewood from 10.40am.
Top teams, Marong and Bridgewater will contest the second semi-final on August 27 at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
Written by Nathan Dole.
