BY NATHAN DOLE
Gun goalkickers fire in finals lead-up
TWO of the competition’s best forwards in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL senior footy were in hot form in Saturday’s 18th and final round of the home-and-away series.
Bridgewater’s Lachlan Sharp and Marong’s Rylee Taylor kicked eight and 11 goals in big wins by their teams.
The Rick Ladson-coached Bridgewater warmed up for an elimination final by scoring an 84-point win at home against Calivil United.
Bridgewater charged to a 52-19 lead by quarter-time.
The Anthony Dennis-coached Demons fired up to win the second term, 20-19.
Bridgewater held a 52-point lead going into the last quarter and then added six goals as the red and blue was held to a tally of five points.
At the final siren Bridgewater led 136-52.
An eight-goal haul lifted Sharp’s season tally to 128.
Bridgewater captain Josh Martyn and Tyler Estrada kicked four goals as Brad Holt chipped in with two.
The Demons’ attack was led by Ben Baker, Anthony Dennis and Mitch Stephens on two each.
Best for Bridgewater were Joseph Mayes, Lee and Jon Coghlan, Tyler Estrada, Lachlan Sharp and Boden Alexander.
Anthony Dennis, Justin Hynes, Sam Green, Brodie Wagner, Hamish Wall and Cody Thompson were Calivil United’s best.
It was a 20-goal win for Marong on Inglewood’s turf at Centre State Scaffolding Oval.
The Linton Jacobs-coached Marong charged to a 35-nil lead by quarter-time.
A nine-goal haul in the third quarter meant Marong led by 123 points going into the last term.
The Fergus Payne-coached Inglewood hit back to add three goals in the last as Marong booted six to complete a 164-44 victory.
Ryley Taylor was in brilliant touch as he finished with 11 goals in a best on ground performance for the Panthers.
The Panthers also had the experienced Ryan Wellington chip in with seven as Kyle Manley added three.
Inglewood’s attack was led by Seb Erharter and Tarran Kilcullen on two.
Best for Marong were Ryley Taylor, Matt Riordan, Ryan Wellington, Jai Gretgrix, Jack McCaig and Jimmy Gadsden.
Gabe Nevins, Tom Kennedy, Fergus Payne, Luke Matheson, Daniel Polack and Will Allen (guernsey #1) were Inglewood’s best.
It’s a rest for Marong as it awaits to meet the winner of the qualifying final between Pyramid Hill and Bears-Lagoon Serpentine in the second semi-final.
Newbridge warmed up for an elimination final by scoring a 52-point win on its turf at Walker’s Doughnuts Riverside Oval against Mitiamo.
The Sam Gale and Daniel Smith-coached Newbridge charged to a 40-8 lead by quarter-time.
A closely-fought second term went Newbridge’s way, 32-18.
Both teams booted five goals in the second half as the Maroons marked a 113-61 victory against the Superoos.
A five-goal haul capped a best afield performance by Brandon Dimech as Newbridge team-mate Chris Dixon also finished on five goals.
Caleb Sanders added two majors for the Maroons.
Mitiamo had nine goalkickers.
Newbridge’s best were Brandon Dimech, Brandon Etherington, Matt McArthur, Chris Dixon, Tyler McLeod and Tyler Constable.
Zak Myers, Luke Lougoon, Nathan Twigg, Josh Diss, Eli Spiers and Kia Coatsworth played well for the Jon Varcoe-coached Mitiamo.
Pyramid Hill dominated its home game at Mitchell Park against Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.
The Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Bulldogs led 46-7 at half-time and then scored six goals as it held the Eagles to a goal in the third term.
Seven goals in the last capped a great game by Pyramid Hill which led 128-14 at the final siren.
Bailey George led the Bulldogs’ attack on six goals in a best on ground performance.
Zach Alford booted five goals as Jack Burns chipped in with two.
The Eagles’ goals were kicked by Thomas Pridgeon and Dylan Turner.
Best for Pyramid Hill were Bailey George, Ben Knight, Zach Alford, Damon Hemphill, Brad Ladson and Steven Gunter.
Mitch Whitham, Josh Worsley, Thomas Pridgeon, Declan Phyland, Ed Crisp and Jack McHutchison were best for an Eagles team jointly coached by Shawn Filo and Angus Monfries.
Bears-Lagoon Serpentine had the bye.
Loddon Valley senior footy ladder:
Marong 350 per cent, 60 points; Pyramid Hill 302, 52; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 223, 52; Bridgewater 167, 44; Newbridge 76, 28; Calivil United 56, 20; Inglewood 54, 16; Maiden Gully YCW 35, 16; Mitiamo 30, 0.
Schedule for Saturday’s qualifying finals at Marist College Bendigo in Maiden Gully:
Seniors at 2.15pm: Pyramid Hill v Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
Reserves at 12.30pm: Bridgewater v Pyramid Hill.
Under-18s at 10.40am: East Loddon v Bridgewater.
Schedule for Sunday’s elimination finals at Pyramid Hill’s Mitchell Park:
Seniors at 2.15pm: Bridgewater v Newbridge.
Reserves at 12.30pm: Inglewood v Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
Under-18s at 10.40am: Inglewood v Pyramid Hill.
Leading goalkickers in LVFNL senior footy:
128 Lachlan Sharp, Bridgewater.
93 Josh Mellington, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
55 Zach Alford, Pyramid Hill.
53 Kain Robins, Marong.
51 Ryley Taylor, Marong.
45 Ryan Wellington, Marong.
37 Jesse Sheahan, Pyramid Hill.
36 Ben Baker, Calivil United.
34 Chris Dixon, Newbridge.
32 Josh Martyn, Bridgewater.
31 Farran Priest, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
31 Bailey Scott, Pyramid Hill.
26 Noah McCaig, Marong.
25 James Rippingale, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
23 Justin Laird, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
22 Anthony Dennis, Calivil United.
21 Bailey George, Pyramid Hill.
20 Andy Gladman, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
19 Mitch Conlan, Inglewood.
19 Caleb Sanders, Newbridge.
18 Nathan Devanny, Marong.
17 Damon Hemphill, Pyramid Hill.
17 Kyle Manley, Marong.
16 Braidy Dickens, Pyramid Hill.
16 Lachlan Lee, Marong.
16 Declan Phyland, Maiden Gully YCW.
15 Steven Gunther, Pyramid Hill.
15 Andrew Padbury, Newbridge.
15 Daniel Polack, Inglewood.
14 Harry Conway, Bridgewater.
14 Tyler Estrada, Bridgewater.
14 Jack Neylon, Bridgewater.
14 Seb Relouw, Pyramid Hill.
14 Matt Riordan, Marong.
13 Andy Collins, Bridgewater.
13 Jaydon Cowling, Pyramid Hill.
13 Charlie Gadsden, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
13 Sam Gale, Newbridge.
13 Doolan Nihill, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
12 Jack Burns, Pyramid Hill.
12 Ben Knight, Pyramid Hill.
12 Jack McCaig, Marong.
12 Keelan Payne, Inglewood.
12 Liam Shiell, Mitiamo.
12 Ross Turner, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
11 Brayden Baines, Mitiamo.
11 Todd Delaney, Maiden Gully YCW.
11 Josiah Farrer, Maiden Gully YCW.
11 Tarran Kilcullen, Inglewood.
10 Brodie Carroll, Pyramid Hill.
10 Tyler Constable, Newbridge.
10 Andrew Cussen, Mitiamo.
10 Will Farrer, Maiden Gully YCW.
10 Kobe Galvin, Mitiamo.
10 Alex Lloyd, Mitiamo.
10 Liam Marciano, Inglewood.
10 Ben McKinley, Newbridge.
10 Tyler McLeod, Newbridge.
10 Mitchell Stephens, Calivil United.