BY NATHAN DOLE
MARONG has home-court advantage when it plays Bridgewater in Saturday’s 17th round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL season.
It’s third against fifth at East West Oval in Marong’s Malone Park.
A big day for Marong FNC includes the Golden Jubilee celebrations.
On court the Sue Borserio-coached Panthers will be determined to take the points and hold third position on the ladder.
In round eight, Marong won on Bridgewater’s court by 28 goals.
The Panthers are also back on court after a bye.
In last Saturday’s play the Aimie Brown-coached Bridgewater claimed a 50-29 victory at home against Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
Marong starts this round a win clear of Pyramid Hill.
The run to the finals series for the Panthers is Bridgewater and then another home game against Mitiamo.
For Bridgewater it’s the final hit-out of the home and away series as it has the bye in the 18th round.
An upset win for Bridgewater would put it level with Newbridge on eight wins.
Maiden Gully YCW is on the court at Marist College Oval to take on Calivil United.
The Adam Boldiston-coached Eagles have shown they will be tough to stop in their quest for back-to-back premierships.
Latest hit-out for MGYCW ended in a 16-goal win on Pyramid Hill’s court at Mitchell Park.
The Eagles beat the Chelsea Hicks-coached Calivil United by 42 goals in the eighth round showdown at Raywood.
Calivil United is on the rebound from a 35-goal loss at home to Mitiamo.
The Jen Wilson-coached Mitiamo will start hot favourite against Bears-Lagoon Serpentine at Mitiamo’s John Forbes Oval.
The Superoos scored 88 goals against the Stacee Burns-coached Bears in the eighth round.
Inglewood is on its court at Dissy Machinery Oval to play Pyramid Hill.
Tough task for the Helen Ward and Dianne Wayman-coached Blues against a team on the rebound from defeat.
In round eight the Gemma Scott-coached Pyramid Hill netted a 29-goal win against the Blues.
The Bulldogs run to the finals is clashes with Inglewood and then at Newbridge’s Beck Legal Riverside Oval.
Newbridge has the bye this round.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL A-grade netball competition:
Maiden Gully YCW 178 per cent, 52 points; Mitiamo 159, 44; Marong 156, 42; Pyramid Hill 114, 38; Newbridge 102, 32; Bridgewater 84, 28; Calivil United 75, 12; Inglewood 47, 8; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 47, 0.