BY NATHAN DOLE
Three big games across the Valley
THERE will be three big senior footy matches played as the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL marks its 13th round this Saturday.
Bridgewater is at home to take on Pyramid Hill; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine faces a Marong team on the rebound from defeat for the first time in many months; and Newbridge hosts Inglewood.
All three games carry a significant bearing in the run to the finals and on premiership prospects.
Although it’s second on the ladder, Bridgewater will be wary of a Pyramid Hill line-up which ended Marong’s 42-game winning streak last round.
When the Mean Machine and Bulldogs met in round four it was Pyramid Hill which dominated play on its turf at Mitchell Park to win by 53 points.
The Bulldogs strangled Bridgewater’s attacks as the visitors were limited to a tally of three goals.
After reaching the century mark for the third time in his brilliant career last round, Bridgewater assistant coach Lachlan Sharp looms as a huge threat to the Bulldogs’ chances.
In his first year at Bridgewater, Sharp has brought plenty of premiership-winning experience from his time at Strathfieldsaye Storm to the club.
A Bridgewater attack that includes Sharp, captain Josh Martyn, Andy Collins and Harry Conway will test Pyramid Hill all match.
The Bulldogs’ defence includes Dylan Morison, Tom McGregor, Jack Burns and Gavin James.
A highlight will be the midfield contests where Bridgewater has Emile Pavlich, Jack Neylon and Nic Naughton to take on Brad Ladson, Bulldogs’ captain Steven Gunther and Bailey George.
Bridgewater coach Rick Ladson will look for strong defensive efforts from Jake Rusbridge, Joseph Mayes, Zane Hoiles and Harry McKinley.
Targets for the Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Bulldogs can have in the forward 50m arc include Zach Alford, Thomas Brennan, Jesse Sheahan and Dylan Collis.
It’s third against first as Bears-Lagoon Serpentine meets Marong at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
When they met in round four the Linton Jacobs-coached Marong won by 38 points on its ground at East West Oval in Malone Park.
The Panthers will be snarling after a remarkable winning streak was broken last round at Pyramid Hill.
Key defender Richard Tibbett makes a welcome return to Marong’s line-up.
A formidable Panthers team includes Ben and Corey Gregg, Shaun Knott, Kain Robins, Ryan Wellington, Jack and Noah McCaig, and Will Gadsden.
Although it’s without Josh Mellington who had kicked 93 goals in nine matches, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine still has plenty of scoring punch.
Last Saturday it was Farran Priest who kicked 13 goals in a 101-point win at Walker’s Doughnuts Riverside Oval in Newbridge.
The Jake Wilkinson-coached BLS team to tackle Marong includes Charlie Gadsden, Justin Laird, Jeremy Hancock, Tyler Miles, Darcy Hawker, Nathan Twigg, Miggy Podosky and Ross Turner.
Newbridge can strengthen its grip on the fifth rung or drop a rung or two after its home game against Inglewood at Riverside Oval.
It’s fifth against seventh as the Maroons and Blues are locked on 12 premiership points.
Newbridge is almost seven per cent clear of Inglewood.
When they met in round four it was the Fergus Payne-coached Inglewood which won by 25 points at Centre State Scaffolding Oval.
Been a tough run for the Sam Gale and Daniel Smith-coached Newbridge which has faced Marong and Bears-Lagoon Serpentine in the past two rounds.
Newbridge’s team to play the Blues includes Ed Aujard, Will Copland, Chris Dixon, Dylan Lloyd, Matt McArthur, Ben McKinley, Tyler McLeod and Caleb Sanders.
Inglewood was beaten by 17 goals in its latest hit-out with Bridgewater.
Key players for the Blues include Mitch Conlan, Tom Kennedy, Aaron Lister, Keelan Payne, Daniel and Sam Polack, and Cody Stobaus.
After facing the Blues, Newbridge has the bye on July 20 and then tackles Maiden Gully YCW at Marist College Bendigo in the 15th round.
Calivil United is well in the race to grab a top-five finish and finals berth.
The Anthony Dennis-coached Demons make their way to John Forbes Oval in Mitiamo this round.
Although Mitiamo is winless it finished within 26 points of Calivil United in round four.
Refreshed by the bye, Calivil United is likely to have more run at the end of this contest with the Superoos.
Key players in the red and blue include Ben Baker, Jack and Sam Maher, Sam Green, Cody and Darcy, Thompson, Kane Shelton and Brodie Wagner.
Focus is squarely on this Saturday, but upcoming matches for the Demons are Marong, away; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine, home; and Inglewood, away.
The Jon Varcoe-coached Mitiamo will target this match as being a great chance to end its losing streak.
Luke Lougoon, Nathan Twigg, Brayden Baines, Jack Vinnicombe, Bryce Laird, Kobe Galvin and Liam Shiell will play crucial roles for the Superoos.
Maiden Gully YCW has the bye.
Loddon Valley senior footy ladder:
Marong 333 per cent, 40 points; Bridgewater 207, 36; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 178, 36; Pyramid Hill 256, 32; Newbridge 60, 12; Calivil United 54, 12; Inglewood 53, 12; Maiden Gully YCW 43, 0; Mitiamo 33, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
100 Lachlan Sharp, Bridgewater.
93 Josh Mellington, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
43 Kain Robins, Marong.
37 Jesse Sheahan, Pyramid Hill.
36 Zach Alford, Pyramid Hill.
30 Ryan Wellington, Marong.
23 Noah McCaig, Marong.
22 Josh Martyn, Bridgewater.
21 Ryley Taylor, Marong.
20 Ben Baker, Calivil United.
20 Farran Priest, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
20 Bailey Scott, Pyramid Hill.
19 Mitch Conlan, Inglewood.
17 Chris Dixon, Newbridge.
14 Anthony Dennis, Calivil United.
14 Nathan Devanny, Marong.
14 Andy Gladman, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
14 Matt Riordan, Marong.
13 Andy Collins, Bridgewater.
13 Harry Conway, Bridgewater.
12 Jack McCaig, Marong.
12 Jack Neylon, Bridgewater.
12 Andrew Padbury, Newbridge.
12 Declan Phyland, Maiden Gully YCW.
11 Steven Gunther, Pyramid Hill.
11 Damon Hemphill, Pyramid Hill.
11 Lachlan Lee, Marong.
11 Keelan Payne, Inglewood.
10 Todd Delaney, Maiden Gully YCW.
10 Will Farrer, Maiden Gully YCW.
10 Alex Lloyd, Mitiamo.
10 Liam Marciano, Inglewood.
10 Daniel Polack, Inglewood.