Machine fires up for home-court clash with Mitiamo
TWO of A-grade netball’s biggest rivals, Bridgewater and Mitiamo meet in this Saturday’s 18th round of the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League season.
The Mean Machine will have home-court advantage at Bridgewater against Mitiamo.
Regardless of the result, both teams will be in the finals.
The fifth-placed Bridgewater will take on Calivil United in an elimination final on August 21.
A win at Bridgewater would lift Mitiamo to the second rung as the second-placed Marong has the bye.
The Superoos and Panthers will clash on August 20 in the qualifying final.
Just five goals separated Bridgewater and Mitiamo when they met in round nine on June 4.
The Laura Hicks-coached Mitiamo led by 10 goals at the start of the final term, but Bridgewater fought back brilliantly at John Forbes Oval to take a two-goal lead.
Mitiamo hit back to win 67-62.
Best for Bridgewater was Claudia Collins in attack.
The Mean Machine goes into this contest after a 56-47 loss to the ladder-leading Maiden Gully YCW on the Eagles’ court at Marist College Bendigo.
Mitiamo had the bye last round.
After its protest from the drawn result at Marong last round was dismissed by the LVFNL board, Calivil United is at home this Saturday to take on Newbridge.
The Karen Pascoe and Teigan Redwood-coached Calivil United will have its focus firmly on a strong showing against Newbridge in the build-up to the finals campaign.
The Demons won their previous showdown on Newbridge’s court at Holloway Air Riverside Park by 25 goals.
Key players for Calivil United include Lily Buckingham, Tia Steen and Jarileey Scholtes in mid-court and Amy Murfitt and Mia McCrann-Peters in attack.
Newbridge will be keen to bounce back from a 31-29 loss at home to Pyramid Hill.
Bears Lagoon Serpentine contests its final match of the season against the ladder-leading Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.
The Bears will be determined to keep the pressure at a high level at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
In round nine the Maiden Gully YCW mid-court and attack dominated in an 84-25 result.
After a round-one loss at home to Marong the Christie Griffiths-coached Eagles are on a 12-game winning streak.
The Bears had a rest last Saturday as they were drawn to play Inglewood.
After a great win at Newbridge, Pyramid Hill’s campaign in A-grade is complete, but the Bulldogs will be on their court at Mitchell Park this Saturday to play Inglewood in the lower grades.
Marong has the bye.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL A-grade netball competition:
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 155 per cent, 56 points; Marong 127, 48; Mitiamo 134, 46; Calivil United 120, 42; Bridgewater 105, 32; Newbridge 85, 24; Pyramid Hill 68, 16; Bears Lagoon Serpentine 43, 8.
The heat will be on to decide third fifth place in B-grade.
Calivil United and Pyramid Hill are locked on 24 points, but the Demons are 14 per cent in front of the Bulldogs.
In C-grade, Calivil United holds fifth place from Pyramid Hill and Newbridge.
The Demons have a tally of 24 points and 88 per cent to lead the Bulldogs, 22 and 91; and Maroons, 22 and 87.
Calivil United is at home to take on Newbridge.
In the 15-and-under competition, Calivil United and Pyramid Hill are in a battle to earn third spot and the double chance at finals time.
The Demons go into this round on 42 points and 138 per cent.
Pyramid Hill is in pursuit on 42 points and 128 per cent.
It’s a similar situation in the 13-under class as Mitiamo holds third place on 40 points and 164 per cent from Bears Lagoon Serpentine on 40 points and 113 per cent.
Mitiamo will start favourite at Bridgewater, while the Bears are at home against the sixth-placed Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.
Written by Nathan Dole.
