BY NATHAN DOLE
Lights shine on Eagles, Bridgewater
LIGHTS will be blazing as Maiden Gully YCW meets Bridgewater in Saturday’s clash to complete the second round of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL season.
Premiers of the past two seasons a new-look Maiden Gully YCW started ’24 by beating Calivil United at Marist College Oval.
The Adam Boldiston-coached Eagles are back home to take on Bridgewater from 5pm.
In round one, Bridgewater was at home against Newbridge.
Although it had home-court advantage, Bridgewater was defeated by 11 goals.
The Olivia Collicoat and Caz Wood-coached Bridgewater will apply plenty of pressure through mid-court and defence.
The Mean Machine bolstered its defence with the signing of Carly Van Den Heuvel a triple premiership player at Sandhurst who later crossed to Kangaroo Flat.
Stung by a 38-goal loss at home, Marong makes its way to Walker’s Doughnuts Riverside Oval in Newbridge to take on the Maroons.
The clash starts at 3pm.
Huge task for the Robyn Cunnington-coached Marong against a Newbridge team which won last Saturday’s match at Brigewater by 11 goals.
Best for the Kristy Gandy and Selina Holland-coached Newbridge against the Mean Machine were Morgan McCormick in attack and Hayley Martiniello.
Another key player for the Maroons is Rachel Pettifer in mid-court.
The Marong squad includes Kirsty Hamilton, Ali Boyd and Erin Stewart.
It’s the second leg of a tough three-week stretch for Marong which played Mitiamo, takes on Newbridge and then faces Pyramid Hill in round three.
Pyramid Hill is home at Mitchell Park to take on Calivil United.
The Chelsea Emmerson-coached Pyramid Hill capped the trek to Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve in round one to beat Bears Lagoon-Serpentine by 15 goals.
Key players for Pyramid Hill include Imogen Broad, Abbey Dingwall, Jess Holdstock and Gemma Scott.
A young Calivil United team is led by playing coach Hayley Fawcett and the experienced Michelle Balic.
In defence the Demons have Akeily Pearce and newcomer Adele Barber.
Inglewood starts its season at home against Bears Lagoon-Serpentine.
The Abbey Hayes-coached Blues will be keen to take the points on their court at Centre State Scaffolding Oval.
Winner of the Blues’ fairest and best award in ’23, Hayes will start in the centre.
A newcomer to Inglewood’s team is defender Jaylen Hoskin from Bridgewater.
Talented goalshooter Emily Leech is another player determined to help the Blues rack up more wins.
Bears Lagoon-Serpentine has Danielle O’Toole as playing coach after crossing from Marong.
An outstanding run by O’Toole last season was capped with fifth placing in the race for the Helen Ward Medal as league fairest and best.
The Bears squad includes Hannah Ilsley, Marley Addlem, Lara Clements, and club champion award winners Ellyssa Hartland and Ellen Gladman.
Mitiamo has the bye.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL A-grade netball competition:
Mitiamo 200 per cent, 4 points; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 161, 4; Newbridge 142, 4; Pyramid Hill 133, 4; Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 75, 0; Bridgewater 70, 0; Calivil United 62, 0; Marong 50, 0; Inglewood 0, 0.