BY NATHAN DOLE
Newbridge strengthens grip on fifth rung
NEWBRIDGE took another crucial step toward featuring in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL senior footy finals on Saturday.
The Maroons marked a 67-point victory in the round 15 clash with Maiden Gully YCW Eagles at Marist College Bendigo in Maiden Gully.
Newbridge led 25-15 at quarter-time and then won the second term, 27-13.
The Sam Gale and Daniel Smith-coached Maroons dominated most of the second half.
Chris Dixon capped off plenty of attacking moves with six goals as Brandon Dimech, Ben McKinley, Tyler McLeod booted two each in the 109-42 result.
The Eagles’ attack was led by Josiah Farrer and Declan Phyland on two goals.
Best for Newbridge were Chris Dixon, Tyler McLeod, Ben McKinley, Brandon Dimech, Ricky Cathie and Brandon Butler.
Josiah Farrer, Mitch Whitham, Josh Worsley, Declan Phyland, Luke Deslandes and Jack McHutchison were best for the Shawn Filo and Angus Monfries-coached Eagles.
At three rounds to go in the home-and-away series, Newbridge is fifth, a win and almost 15 per cent clear of Inglewood.
The Maroons’ run to the first week of finals on August 24-25 involves clashes with Pyramid Hill, home; Calivil United, away; and Mitiamo, home.
A third quarter blitz in which it scored six goals to a point put Bears-Lagoon Serpentine in control of the clash on Calivil United’s turf.
The Jake Wilkinson-coached Bears led 45-25 at half-time and then added 6.2 in the third term.
By the final siren BLS led 109-40.
Farren Priest led the attack on four goals as Justin Laird and James Rippingale added three.
Other multiple goalkickers for the Bears were Charlie Gadsden and Nash Kemp on two.
Ben Baker booted three goals for Calivil United.
Best for the Bears were Charlie Gadsden, Tyler Miles, Nathan Twigg, Nash Kemp, Dean McKay and Justin Laird.
Sam Green, Sam Maher, Lewis Fisher, Rhys Lourie, Justin Hynes and Cody Thompson played well for the Anthony Dennis-coached Demons.
Marong dominated after half-time of the clash at Bridgewater.
The Linton Jacobs-coached Marong led 31-20 at the long break and then slammed on 7.4 as the Mean Machine scored 3.2 in the third term.
A fired-up Panthers line-up added five goal in the last as Bridgewater was held to a point.
The in-form Rylee Taylor and Ryan Wellington both kicked three goals and Kain Robins booted two as Marong charged to a 109-41 victory.
Century goalkicker Lachlan Sharp led Bridgewater’s attack on two.
Best for Marnog were ruckman Michael Bradbury, Nathan Devanny, Lachlan Lee, Jonty Davis, Jai Gretgrix and Brodie Hartland.
Jack Neylon, Harry Conway, Boden Alexander, Harry McKinley, Ben Derrick and Jon Coghlan were best for the Rick Ladson-coached Bridgewater.
Inglewood scored a 67-point win on Mitiamo’s turf at John Forbes Oval.
The Fergus Payne-coached Blues charged to a 28-2 lead by quarter-time.
Inglewood added five goals straight in the second as the Superoos were off target adding 1.5.
Jed Rouse went on to kick five goals in a best afield performance as Matt Rowe added three goals and Seb Erharter and Fergus Payne chipped in with two for the Blues.
At the final siren, Inglewood led 107-40.
Mitiamo’s attack was led by Liam Shiell on two.
Best for Inglewood were Jed Rouse, Lachlan Ford, Tom Kennedy, Campbell Love, Seb Ebharter and Fergus Payne.
Luke Lougoon, Ryan Duncan, Zach Morrison, Liam Shiell, Jackson Falls and Josh Diss were best for the Jon Varcoe-coached Mitiamo.
Pyramid Hill had the bye.
Loddon Valley senior footy ladder:
Marong 318 per cent, 52 points; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 183, 44; Pyramid Hill 268, 40; Bridgewater 152, 36; Newbridge 74, 20; Inglewood 59, 16; Calivil United 54, 16; Maiden Gully YCW 45, 4; Mitiamo 32, 0.
In next Saturday’s 16th round, Inglewood will be on home turf at Centre State Scaffolding to tackle Calivil United.
Newbridge takes on Pyramid Hill at Walker’s Doughnuts Riverside Oval in Newbridge.
Bears-Lagoon Serpentine faces Mitiamo at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
Marong meets Maiden Gully YCW at East West Oval in Marong’s Malone Park.
Bridgewater has the bye.
Leading goalkickers:
106 Lachlan Sharp, Bridgewater.
93 Josh Mellington, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
47 Kain Robins, Marong.
43 Zach Alford, Pyramid Hill.
38 Ryan Wellington, Marong.
37 Jesse Sheahan, Pyramid Hill.
35 Ryley Taylor, Marong.
29 Chris Dixon, Newbridge.
29 Farran Priest, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
26 Ben Baker, Calivil United.
24 Noah McCaig, Marong.
23 Josh Martyn, Bridgewater.
23 Bailey Scott, Pyramid Hill.
19 Mitch Conlan, Inglewood.
18 Anthony Dennis, Calivil United.
18 Andy Gladman, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
17 Nathan Devanny, Marong.
15 Lachlan Lee, Marong.
14 Jack Neylon, Bridgewater.
14 Andrew Padbury, Newbridge.
14 Declan Phyland, Maiden Gully YCW.
14 Matt Riordan, Marong.
13 Andy Collins, Bridgewater.
13 Harry Conway, Bridgewater.
13 Damon Hemphill, Pyramid Hill.
13 Daniel Polack, Inglewood.
13 James Rippingale, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
13 Caleb Sanders, Newbridge.
12 Steven Gunther, Pyramid Hill.
12 Jack McCaig, Marong.
12 Keelan Payne, Inglewood.
12 Seb Relouw, Pyramid Hill.
11 Todd Delaney, Maiden Gully YCW.
11 Josiah Farrer, Maiden Gully YCW.
11 Charlie Gadsden, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
11 Bailey George, Pyramid Hill.
10 Will Farrer, Maiden Gully YCW.
10 Ben Knight, Pyramid Hill.
10 Alex Lloyd, Mitiamo.
10 Kyle Manley, Marong.
10 Liam Marciano, Inglewood.
10 Ben McKinley, Newbridge.
10 Liam Shiell, Mitiamo.