Panthers’ grip on third rung under threat from Demons
MARONG’S hold on the third rung of the A-grade netball ladder will be under threat from Calivil United in this Saturday’s 17th round in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League season.
On a day where AFL Central Victoria marks Bendigo Bank Round across all footy and netball competitions in the region, Marong and Calivil United will be desperate to bank the four premiership points.
The Panthers are six points clear of the Demons, but it is Marong’s final game in the home and away series as it has the bye in the 18th round.
Calivil United’s run to the finals is to travel to Marong’s Malone Park and then face Newbridge at home the following week.
Victory in both contests would put the Demons in third place and hold the crucial double chance at finals time.
When Marong and Calivil United met in round eight it was the Demons who scored a hard-fought 43-40 victory.
Both line-ups won last Saturday.
Marong beat Bears Lagoon Serpentine by 41 goals at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve as Calivil United marked another home-court victory in a 44-35 result against Pyramid Hill.
Another big match in the 17th round will be at Marist College Bendigo in Maiden Gully where the ladder-leading Maiden Gully YCW Eagles take on Bridgewater.
The Christie Griffiths-coached Eagles are unbeaten since a round-one loss at home to Marong.
In round eight the Eagles beat the Mean Machine by 14 goals on the Bridgewater court.
After a two-goal loss to Newbridge last Saturday, Bridgewater will be fired up from the first pass.
Confidence in Newbridge’s team has soared after a hard-fought win on the road against Bridgewater.
The Maroons return to their court at Holloway Air Riverside Oval in Newbridge to take on Pyramid Hill.
Defences were well on top in round eight as the Maroons won 32-24 at Pyramid Hill’s Mitchell Park.
It’s a bye for Bears Lagoon Serpentine in A-grade, but the Bears will take on Inglewood in the lower grades on the Blues’ court at Inglewood’s Dissy Machinery Oval.
Mitiamo has the bye.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL A-grade netball competition:
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 156 per cent, 52 points; Mitiamo 130.23, 46; Marong 130.12, 46; Calivil United 122, 40; Bridgewater 108, 32; Newbridge 85, 24; Pyramid Hill 66, 12; Bears Lagoon Serpentine 43, 4.
Written by Nathan Dole.
