Bridgewater defence faces tough task against Marong
BRIDGEWATER’S defence faces a huge challenge stopping Marong’s formidable attack in Saturday’s 11th round of the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League season.
The Mean Machine and Panthers will clash at Bridgewater Recreation Reserve.
Not only does Marong have the powerful Brandyn Grenfell in hot form on 71 goals, but also Michelsen medallist Kain Robins to contend with.
Limiting the supply to the Panthers attack will be crucial.
The Rick Ladson-coached Bridgewater will look to Harry Donegan, Cameron Ross, Lloyd Needs and Tyler Estrada to be putting the ball into their attacking zone where Josh Martyn and Andy Collins will test the Panthers defence.
In round two, Marong scored a 133-56 win against Bridgewater in the Panthers’ den at Malone Park.
Key players for the Linton Jacobs-coached Panthers include Nathan Devanny, Corbin Fleming, Corey Gregg, Justin Hynes and Richard Tibbett.
For just the second time this season, Calivil United has an opportunity to mark consecutive wins.
The Demons are in their den at Calivil to take on Bears Lagoon Serpentine.
In round 10, Calivil United stunned Inglewood in a 105-76 result on the Blues’ ground at Dissy Machinery Oval.
The classy Jacob Greenwood kicked eight goals against the Blues and will test the Bears all match.
Ben Daley, Phil Ryan and Mitch Avard also won plenty of the ball for the Jack Daley-coached Demons at Inglewood.
The play of Lea and Murphy in defence, ruckman Pearse, Baker and Daniels in attack will be keys to the Demons’ chances.
Bears Lagoon Serpentine holds fifth place on the ladder, a win and almost 12 per cent clear of Inglewood.
The Justin Laird-coached Bears were within seven points of Mitiamo when last Saturday’s clash at Serpentine ended.
In-form players for BLS include Charlie and Harrison Gadsden, Andrew Gladman, Josh Taig and Josh Walsh.
Anthony Lewin was the Bears against the Superoos.
BLS beat Calivil United by four points in round two.
Mitiamo takes on Newbridge at John Forbes Oval in Mitiamo.
The round two showdown between the clubs ended in a 73-44 win for Mitiamo at Holloway Air Riverside Oval in Newbridge.
The third-placed Superoos had a hard-fought win at Serpentine last Saturday.
Ross Turner, Lee Dale, Troy Rogers and Lachlan Twigg played key roles for Mitiamo.
Third on the ladder, the Marcus McKern-coached Mitiamo has the experience of Luke Lougoon, Ryan Wellington and Jarryd Wiegard.
Key targerts in attack are Michael I’Anson and Jay Reynolds.
Newbridge had the bye last round after a 33-point victory the previous Saturday against Calivil United.
Best for the Maroons in their second win of the season were Ryan Burt, Thomas Hobson, Caleb Sanders and Harry Whittle.
Chances of an upset win by the Luke Freeman-coached Newbridge on the Superoos’ ground will depend a lot on the play of Chris Dixon, Mitch Hocking, Tyler McLeod, Austin Fithall and Dylan Lloyd.
Inglewood’s hopes of a finals appearance are far from gone, but the Blues must win on Maiden Gully YCW’s turf at Marist College Bendigo in Maiden Gully.
The Darrell Billett-coached Blues go into this match without reigning club champion Cody Stobaus, finger injury.
Inglewood will again look to big games from the likes of Nathan Angelino, Charlie McGaw, Campbell Love, Jaxon Billett, Charlie Ingham and Alex Lowe.
The Eagles faced the might of Marong in a 145-point loss last round.
Maiden Gully YCW’s best against the Panthers were Nathan Murley, Damian Wust, Grayson Brown and Steve Turner.
The return of Brayden Aitken and Natnael McLaren is a huge plus for the Eagles.
Pyramid Hill has the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Pyramid Hill 284 per cent, 36 points; Marong 300, 32; Mitiamo 116, 24; Bridgewater 114, 20; Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 80, 16; Inglewood 68, 12; Calivil United 67, 8; Newbridge 49, 8; Maiden Gully YCW 44, 4.
Leading goalkickers:
71 Brandyn Grenfell, Mar.
33 Josh Martyn, B’water.
30 Bailey George, PH.
23 Jacob Greenwood, CU.
22 Jason Butty, MGYCW; Braidy Dickens, PH.
21 Justin Laird, BLS.
18 Jay Reynolds, Miti.
19 Andy Collins, B’water; Andrew Gladman, BLS.
17 Chris Dixon, New.
15 Ryley Taylor, Mar.
14 Ryan Wellington, Miti.; Harry Whittle, New.
Goals from Inglewood’s round one win at Calivil to be added.
Written by Nathan Dole.
