BY NATHAN DOLE
Grand finalists clash at Pyramid Hill
LAST September’s grand finalists, Pyramid Hill and Marong clash in this Saturday’s 12th round of senior footy across the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL.
Pyramid Hill has home-ground advantage at Mitchell Park as it tackles the unbeaten Panthers from 2.15pm.
When these clubs met in round three it was Marong which kept its winning run rolling by scoring a hard-fought 79-71 victory.
Massive task for the Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Bulldogs to beat a Panthers line-up which has plenty of skill through midfield, many attacking options and tight-knit defence.
A key for Pyramid Hill will be its work at centre clearances and stoppages.
The Bulldogs will need big games from the likes of Lachlan Sidebottom, Damon Hemphill, Ben Knight, Scott Mann and Dylan Collis.
Other players to watch in the red, white and blue include Bailey George, Seb Relouw and Dylan Collis.
Not only are the Dogs eyeing a chance to end Marong’s run, but also to stay in contention for a top-three finish and double chance at finals time.
A Pyramid Hill attack led by the Zach Alford, Jesse Sheahan and Bailey Scott will test the Panthers.
At the other end of the ground Marong has Kain Robins, Ryan Wellington and Ryley Taylor.
The Panthers have also have the experience of Nathan Devanny, Ben and Corey Gregg, David Johnstone, Shaun Knott and Matt Willox.
Another big clash will be at Walker’s Doughnuts Riverside Park in Newbridge where the Maroons take on Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
Stakes are high as fifth takes on third.
When these teams met in round three it was the Jake Wilkinson-coached Bears who triumphed at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve by 80 points.
This time the Newbridge defence does not have to contend with gun forward Josh Mellington who is out with a serious hamstring injury.
The Bears are determined to prove they can play well and win without the star who brought AFL experience to the club from his days as a Fremantle Docker.
Will be a big test for Newbridge’s on-ballers in winning enough contests to set up scoring chances.
The Maroons will rely a lot on the play of Ben McKinley, Tyler McLeod, Tyler Constable, Caleb Sanders, captain Dylan Lloyd, Ed Aujard and Brandon Dimech.
A Newbridge team jointly coached by Sam Gale, playing, and Daniel Smith, non-playing, will want to play well in the lead-up to a round 13 showdown with Inglewood.
Key players for the Bears include captain Charlie Gadsden, Andy Gladman, Justin Laird, Tyler Miles, Ross Turner and Darcy Hawker.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles are back at Marist College Oval in Maiden Gully to take on Mitiamo.
The Shawn Filo and Angus Monfries-coached Eagles won on Mitiamo’s turf at John Forbes Oval in round three by four points.
It’s the closest the Jon Varcoe-coached Mitiamo has gone to winning this season.
Players to watch for Maiden Gully YCW include Ed Crisp, Todd Delaney, Bryce Franzini, Thomas Pridgeon, Ryan Strauch and captain Josh Worsley.
Refreshed by the bye, Mitiamo will be confident of another strong showing in the Eagles’ nest.
The Superoos will look to Luke Lougoon, Jack Vinnicombe, Liam Shiell, Mason Hocking, Brayden Baines and Waylon Draper to lead the way to a long-awaited victory.
Inglewood will be on home turf at Centre State Scaffolding Oval to take on Bridgewater.
The Fergus Payne-coached Blues are in a fight to regain fifth place on the ladder.
It’s a daunting task for Inglewood which was beaten by 25 goals at Bridgewater in round three.
Strong defence on every line will be a key to the Blues limiting chances for a Bridgewater attack led by Lachlan Sharp and Josh Martyn.
Key players for Inglewood include Mitch Conlan, Aaron Lister, Liam Marciano, Luke Matheson, Keelan Payne and Cody Stobaus.
A strong Bridgewater team coached by Hawthorn premiership player Rick Ladson includes Boden Alexander, Lee Coghlan, Harry Conway, Jack Neylon, Alex Pollock and Jack Symons.
Calivil United has the bye.
Loddon Valley senior footy ladder:
Marong 380 per cent, 40 points; Bridgewater 200, 32; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 168, 32; Pyramid Hill 278, 28; Newbridge 64, 12; Inglewood 56, 12; Calivil United 54, 12; Maiden Gully YCW 35, 0; Mitiamo 31, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
93 Josh Mellington, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
91 Lachlan Sharp, Bridgewater.
38 Kain Robins, Marong.
35 Zach Alford, Pyramid Hill.
35 Jesse Sheahan, Pyramid Hill.
30 Ryan Wellington, Marong.
23 Noah McCaig, Marong.
21 Ryley Taylor, Marong.
20 Ben Baker, Calivil United.
20 Bailey Scott, Pyramid Hill.
19 Mitch Conlan, Inglewood.
18 Josh Martyn, Bridgewater.
17 Chris Dixon, Newbridge.
14 Anthony Dennis, Calivil United.
14 Nathan Devanny, Marong.
14 Matt Riordan, Marong.
13 Andy Collins, Bridgewater.
12 Jack McCaig, Marong.
11 Andy Gladman, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
11 Steven Gunther, Pyramid Hill.
11 Andrew Padbury, Newbridge.
11 Keelan Payne, Inglewood.
10 Todd Delaney, Maiden Gully YCW.
10 Will Farrer, Maiden Gully YCW.
10 Damon Hemphill, Pyramid Hill.
10 Lachlan Lee, Marong.
10 Alex Lloyd, Mitiamo.
10 Jack Neylon, Bridgewater.
10 Daniel Polack, Inglewood.