BY NATHAN DOLE
Panthers claw way to win against Dogs at Marong
THE Marong Panthers clawed their way to an eight-point win against Pyramid Hill in Saturday’s third round of the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL senior footy action.
In pursuit of a 35th consecutive victory, Marong was under the pump as Pyramid Hill led 32-21 by quarter-time at Marong’s Malone Park.
The Linton Jacobs-coached Panthers struck back to score 5.3 to 1.2 in the second.
Pyramid Hill cut the deficit by a point in the third.
Although the Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Pyramid Hill won the last term, 15-10, it was Marong which took the points in a 79-71 result.
The Panthers’ attack was led by Ryan Wellington, three goals, as Kain Robins and Ryley Taylor added two each.
Brodie Carroll and Jesse Sheahan booted four goals apiece for Pyramid Hill.
Best for Marong were Matt Willox, Lachlan Lee, Todd Davies, Ryan Wellington, Michael Bradburyt and Nathan Devanny.
Brodie Carroll, Damon Hemphill, Gavin James, Lachlan Sidebottom, Zach Alford and Steven Gunther were Pyramid Hill’s best.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles won a closely-fought match on Mitiamo’s turf at John Forbes Oval.
An Eagles team jointly coached by Shawn Filo, non-playing, and Angus Monfries, playing, led 46-42 at half-time.
Both teams added 3.1 in the third quarter.
Led by the play of Josiah Farrer, Luke Deslandes and Ed Crisp it was the Eagles who held on for a 78-74 victory.
Josiah Farrer led the attack on four goals as Todd Delaney, Luke Deslandes and Will Farrer added two each.
Mitiamo’s leading goalkicker was Alex Lloyd on three as Brayden Baines, Kobe Galvin and Bryce Laird added two.
The Eagles’ best included Mat Crooks, captain Josh Worsley and Will Farrer.
Andrew Cussen, Ryan Duncan, Kobe Galvin, Alex Lloyd, Daniel Walters and Bryce Laird were best for the Jon Varcoe-coached Mitiamo.
A 15-goal haul by gun recruit Josh Mellington was a highlight of Bears-Lagoon Serpentine’s win against Newbridge.
At the end of a hard-fought opening term it was the Bears who led 26-19 at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
Six goals straight in the second meant BLS was up by 34 points at the long break.
The Jake Wilkinson-coached Bears scored 14.7 to 7.3 in the second half.
At the final siren BLS led 153-73.
Another multiple goalkicker for the Bears was Andy Gladman on three.
Newbridge’s attack was led by Tyler Constable and Sam Gale on three as Chris Dixon and Andrew Padbury added two.
Best for the Bears were Mellington, Wilkinson, Justin Laird, Jaxon Addlem, James Bailey and Andy Gladman.
Jackson Hufer, Kobe Friswell, Will Copland, Ricky Cathie, Matt McArthur and Jono Aujard were best for a Newbridge team coached by Sam Gale, playing, and Daniel Smith, non-playing.
Bridgewater marked a 25-goal win at home against Inglewood.
The Rick Ladson-coached Bridgewater led 88-25 at half-time and then dominated the final hour.
A tally of 6.4 to 1.3 in the third was followed by the Mean Machine slamming on 10 goals to just one in the last.
Lachlan Sharp kicked 15 goals in the 191-41 victory.
The Bridgewater attack included three goals from Harry Conway and captain Josh Martyn.
Liam Marciano booted two goals for Inglewood.
Best for Bridgewater were Lachlan Sharp, Joseph Mayes, Xavier Walsh, Andy Collins, Boden Alexander and Jack Neylon.
Luke Matheson, Liam Marciano, Tom Kennedy, Lachlan Ford, Sam and Daniel Polack worked hard for the Fergus Payne-coached Blues.
Calivil United had the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Marong 431 per cent, 12 points; Bridgewater 258, 12; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 172, 12; Pyramid Hill 183, 4; Maiden Gully YCW 70, 4; Newbridge 39, 0; Mitiamo 35, 0; Inglewood 28, 0; Calivil United 24, 0.
In next Saturday’s fourth round, Marong is back on its deck at Malone Park to take on Bears-Lagoon Serpentine in a match between first and third.
Pyramid Hill and Bridgewater clash at Pyramid Hill’s Mitchell Park.
Inglewood takes on Newbridge at Centre State Scaffolding Oval in Newbridge.
Calivil United is home to play Mitiamo.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles have the bye.
Leading goalkickers:
35 Josh Mellington, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
35 Lachlan Sharp, Bridgewater.
13 Jesse Sheahan, Pyramid Hill.
11 Zach Alford, Pyramid Hill.
9 Kain Robins, Marong.
9 Ryan Wellington, Marong.
8 Todd Delaney, Maiden Gully YCW.
8 Ryley Taylor, Marong.
7 Noah McCaig, Marong.
6 Bailey Scott, Pyramid Hill.
PHOTO: MATTHEW CLARKSON