Pyramid Hill’s unbeaten status on line against Marong
PYRAMID Hill’s unbeaten streak will be under threat from Marong in Saturday’s 13th round of senior footy in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League season.
The Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Bulldogs have home-ground advantage at Mitchell Park for the clash between the league’s top two.
In round four it was Pyramid Hill which scored an 87-75 win at Marong’s Malone Park.
The Bulldogs have won all 10 matches and lead the ladder from Marong, 10-1, and Mitiamo, 7-4.
A key to Pyramid Hill’s chances will be stopping the supply to Panthers’ gun forward Brandyn Grenfell.
The Dogs’ defence held Grenfell to just two goals in the previous showdown.
Grenfell has kicked 90 goals and looms as a major danger in an attack that includes Kain Robins, Ryley Taylor and Nathan Devanny.
Pyramid Hill’s onballers and midfield will play crucial roles in limiting the Panthers’ attacks.
It will not be an easy task as Corey Gregg, ruckman Justin Hynes, Jack McCaig and Ben Gregg are in great form for the Linton Jacobs-coached Marong.
Key players for Pyramid Hill include Braidy Dickens at full-forward, Bailey George at centre half-forward, Dylan Morison, Gavin James and James Arratta in defence, ruckman Adrian Holland, Seb Relouw and Billy Micevski.
A rare feat will be marked at John Forbes Oval in Mitiamo as Lucas Matthews plays his 400th senior match.
A joint winner of the Michelsen Medal when he was at Eaglehawk in 2001, Matthews has starred at every club he has represented.
Among the many highs in a brilliant football career was Mitiamo’s premiership victory in 2019.
Matthews was named in a forward pocket for his milestone match against Calivil United.
The Marcus McKern-coached Mitiamo will be determined to win, not just for Matthews, but also hold the crucial double chance for finals time.
Key players in the Mitiamo line-up include rover Lee Dale, Luke Lougoon and Jack Vinnicombe across the half-back line, Doug Thomas and Ryan Wellington in attack, and Ross Turner in the centre.
The round four showdown at Calivil ended in a nine-point win for the Superoos.
Calivil United has sprung a couple of surprises, most notably a 16-point win at Bridgewater in round five.
Jacob Greenwood is a key target in the Demons’ attack and will trouble the Superoos, along with Phil Ryan in the centre, coach Jack Daley in a ruck-roving role, Ben Daley, Baker, Burns and Mensforth.
Bridgewater is back on home turf to take on Bears Lagoon Serpentine.
The Rick Ladson-coached Mean Machine will be without the classy Andy Collins because of suspension.
Gun forward Josh Martyn is in hot form and a player the Bears will have to work hard to stop.
Other players to watch for Bridgewater include ruckman Cameron Ross, Harry Donegan, Lloyd Needs, Emile Pavlich, Alex Pollock and Callum Prest.
The Justin Laird-coached Bears have worked hard to mark five wins and hold fifth place on the ladder.
Best for BLS in last Saturday’s home game against Pyramid Hill were Josh Walsh, Zach Stone, Jeremy Hancock, Ryan Prendergast, Bailey Harrison and Darcy Poulter.
Andy Gladman will again be a key target in the forward 50m arc.
Inglewood takes on Newbridge at Inglewood’s Dissy Machinery Oval.
A win for the Blues will put them four points closer to BLS, provided the Bears are beaten at Bridgewater.
The play of Nathan Angelino, Charlie Ingham, Lachlan Nemet in the centre, Tom Kennedy in the ruck, Charlie McGaw, Bregon Cotchett and Alex Lowe will be crucial to the Blues breaking through for a long-awaited victory.
It’s been a tough run for the Luke Freeman-coached Newbridge which finished within 25 points of Inglewood in the fourth round.
The Maroons will look to Chris Dixon, Ryan Burt and Jack Murray to lead the forward line, Mitch Hocking and Tyler McLeod to be strong in defence, and for Brandon Etherington, Caleb Argus and Caleb Sanders to set up plenty of attacks.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles have the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Pyramid Hill 298 per cent, 40 points; Marong 294, 40; Mitiamo 112, 28; Bridgewater 105, 24; Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 75, 20; Inglewood 65, 12; Maiden Gully YCW 57,12; Calivil United 70, 8; Newbridge 49, 8.
Leading goalkickers:
90 Brandyn Grenfell, Mar.
42 Josh Martyn, B’water.
35 Bailey George, PH.
31 Jason Butty, MGYCW.
26 Andy Collins, B’water; Andy Gladman, BLS; Jacob Greenwood, CU.
25 Braidy Dickens, PH.
22 Jay Reynolds, Miti.
21 Justin Laird, BLS.
19 Chris Dixon, New.; Kain Robins, Mar.
18 Steven Gunther, PH; Ryley Taylor, Mar.
17 Nathan Devanny, Mar.
16 Charlie McGaw, I’wood; Wayne Mitrovic, MGYCW; Ryan Wellington, Miti.
Written by Nathan Dole.
