BY NATHAN DOLE
Machine motors to win against Bears at Bridgewater
THE Mean Machine motored to victory against Bears-Lagoon Serpentine in Saturday’s round five clash at Bridgewater in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL senior footy season.
Stung by a big defeat at Pyramid Hill the previous round, Bridgewater took on the in-form Bears.
Bridgewater raced to a 21-point lead by quarter-time after it scored 5.3 to 2.0.
Defences were on top for most of the second term which the Mean Machine won, 17-11.
The Bears fought back to be within nine points by three quarter-time.
The Rick Ladson-coached Bridgewater lifted its pressure and run in the last.
After winning the term, 26-9, Bridgewater marked a 90-64 victory.
Former Richmond and Carlton player Andy Collins led Bridgewater’s attack on five goals as Lachlan Sharp added three.
Bears’ gun recruit Josh Mellington kicked four goals, but was also reported for striking.
Best for Bridgewater were Boden Alexander, Jack Neylon, Joseph Mayes, Andy Collins, Xavier Walsh and Jon Coghlan.
Tyler Miles, Farran Priest, Justin Laird, Ryan Prendergast, Doolan Nihill and Miggy Podosky played well for the Jake Wilkinson-coached Bears.
Inglewood marked an impressive win against Maiden Gully YCW Eagles at Marist College Oval in Maiden Gully.
The Blues won a closely-fought first term, 28-20.
Inglewood seized control in the second as it slammed on 6.3 to 1.3.
A 38-point buffer at half-time grew to 44 by the last term.
Mitch Conlan went on to kick five goals as Aaron Lister and Keelan Payne added three.
The Blues also had Lachlan Harris and Matt Rowe chip in with two goals to complete a 124-68 victory.
Leading goalkickers for the Eagles were Will Farrer, five; and Declan Phyland, three.
Inglewood’s best were Will Allen (guernsey one), Daniel Polack, Mitch Conlan, Matt Rowe, Luke Matheson and Aaron Lister.
Best for the Shawn Filo and Angus Monfries coached Eagles were Ed Crisp, Bryce Franzini, Grayson Brown, Ryan Strauch, Will Farrer and Declan Phyland.
Six goals by Ryan Wellington were among the highs of Marong’s big win at Calivil.
The Panthers led 27-13 at quarter-time and 56-25 by the long break.
In the final hour it was the Linton Jacobs-coached Marong which dominated play.
The Panthers scored 11.6 and kept the Demons to a goal.
At the final siren Marong led 128-31.
Wellington was in top form in attack as Jack and Noah McCaig, Matt Riordan and Kain Robins all kicked two goals for the Panthers.
Calivil United’s only multiple goalkicker was Ben Baker on two.
Best for Marong were Cooper Hale, Todd Davies, Ryan Wellington, Lachlan Lee, Nathan Devanny an d Ben Gregg.
Jack and Sam Maher, Sam Green, Kane Shelton, Thomas Harcourt and Lewis Fisher worked hard for the Anthony Dennis-coached Demons.
Pyramid Hill marked a big win on Mitiamo’s turf at John Forbes Oval.
The Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Pyramid Hill slammed on 8.6 to nil in the first term.
The Bulldogs led 97-18 at half-time and then added 13.14 to 1.3 across the final hour to record a 189-27 victory.
Bailey Scott and Zach Alford were in top form as they kicked six and five goals.
Other leading goalkickers for the red, white and blue were Damon Hemphill, three; Zac Dingwall, Steven Gunther, Brad Ladson and Seb Relouw on two.
There was no multiple goalkicker for Mitiamo.
Best for Pyramid Hill were Brad Ladson, Zach Alford, Bailey George, Zac Dingwall, Scott Mann and Damon Hemphill.
Zach Morrison, Daniel Walters, Luke Lougoon, Alex Lloyd, Liam Shiell and Jackson Falls were best for the Jon Varcoe-coached Superoos.
Newbridge had the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Marong 310 per cent, 20 points; Bridgewater 177, 16; Pyramid Hill 250, 12; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 120, 12; Inglewood 70, 8; Calivil United 41, 4; Maiden Gully YCW 65, 0; Newbridge 45, 0; Mitiamo 35, 0.
In next Saturday’s sixth round, Marong tackles Bridgewater at Marong’s Malone Park.
Bears-Lagoon Serpentine is home at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve to face Calivil United.
Newbridge and Maiden Gully YCW Eagles clash at Walker’s Doughnuts Riverside Oval in Newbridge.
Inglewood and Mitiamo meet on the Blues’ turf at Inglewood’s Centre State Scaffolding Oval.
Pyramid Hill has the bye.
Leading goalkickers:
45 Josh Mellington, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
39 Lachlan Sharp, Bridgewater.
19 Zach Alford, Pyramid Hill.
19 Ryan Wellington, Marong.
16 Kain Robins, Marong.
14 Bailey Scott, Pyramid Hill.
14 Jesse Sheahan, Pyramid Hill.
12 Mitch Conlan, Inglewood.
12 Noah McCaig, Marong.
10 Andy Colllins, Bridgewater.
10 Will Farrer, Maiden Gully YCW.
9 Keelan Payne, Inglewood.
8 Jaydon Cowling, Pyramid Hill.
8 Todd Delaney, Maiden Gully YCW.
8 Chris Dixon, Newbridge.
8 Ryley Taylor, Marong.
7 Nathan Devanny, Marong.
7 Sam Gale, Newbridge.
6 Ben Baker, Calivil United.
6 Lee Coghlan, Bridgewater.
6 Anthony Dennis, Calivil United.
6 Andy Gladman, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
6 Steven Gunther, Pyramid Hill.
6 Damon Hemphill, Pyramid Hill.
6 Matt Riordan, Marong.
6 James Rippingale, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.