BY NATHAN DOLE
Newbridge grabs fifth rung on Valley’s ladder
NEWBRIDGE has moved to the fifth rung on the senior footy ladder at the halfway mark of the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL season.
The Maroons took Inglewood’s place in the five after Saturday’s win at Mitiamo’s John Forbes Oval.
Jointly coached by Sam Gale, playing, and Daniel Smith, non-playing, Newbridge set up plenty of attacks, but missed many shots on goal.
The Maroons scored 4.13 in the first half as Mitiamo slotted 2.5.
After winning the third term, 10-5, Newbridge added 3.2 to a goal in the last to complete a 67-28 victory.
Hard-running midfielder Ben McKinley capped a best on ground performance with two goals as Chris Dixon also booted two majors for Newbridge.
Kia Coatsworth, Alex Lloyd and Jayden Matthews were on target for the Jon Varcoe-coached Mitiamo.
Best for Newbridge were Ben McKinley in his second game for the club, along with Dylan Lloyd, Tyler McLeod, Jack Teasdale, Caleb Sanders and Kobe Friswell.
Mitiamo’s best were Kobe Galvin, Jack Vinnicombe, Liam Shiell, Waylon Draper, Zak Myers and Nathan Twigg.
It was emphatic wins for top teams Marong, Pyramid Hill and Bridgewater.
Chasing a premiership hat-trick, Marong’s unbeaten run kept rolling.
The Linton Jacobs-coached Marong led 43-1 by quarter-time of its home game against Inglewood at Malone Park.
Key forwards Kain Robins and Matt Riordan slotted five goals each as Cooper Hale added three in a 156-30 victory.
Goalkickers for Inglewood were Bowen Cauchi, Mitch Conlan, Campbell Love and captain Daniel Polack.
A Michelsen medallist and premiership winner in his time at Eaglehawk, Kain Robins was best afield in Marong’s latest victory.
The Panthers also had Corey Gregg, Lachlan Frankel, Matt Riordan, Noah and Jack McCaig star in this contest.
Best for the Fergus Payne-coached Inglewood were Daniel Hughes, Will Allen (guernsey one), Cody Stobaus, Daniel Polack, Thomas Kennedy and Mitch Conlan.
Pyramid Hill dominated on Maiden Gully YCW Eagles’ turf at Marist College Oval.
The Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Bulldogs scored 6.9 to nil in the first half.
By the main break Pyramid Hill led 81-nil.
The Bulldogs scored seven goals in the third and another seven in the last to complete a 174-7 victory.
Zach Alford booted four goals for the red, white and blue as Bailey George, Jesse Sheahan and Bailey Scott added three each.
Other multiple goalkickers for Pyramid Hill were Thomas Brennan, Braidy Dickens and Damon Hemphill on two.
Sole goalkicker for the Shawn Filo and Angus Monfries-coached Eagles was Will Noden.
Pyramid Hill’s best were Tom McGregor, Damon Hemphill, Brad Ladson, Bailey George, Ben Knight and Steven Gunther.
On a tough afternoon it was Angus Monfries, Thomas Pridgeon, Declan Phyland, Jack McHutchison, Josh Worsley and Bryce Franzini who were best for the Eagles.
A 13-goal haul by Lachlan Sharp was a highlight of Bridgewater’s 100-point win on Calivil United’s turf at Calivil.
The Rick Ladson-coached Bridgewater charged to a 39-2 lead by quarter-time.
The Mean Machine’s charge did not let up as it slammed on 6.3 in the second to hold a 69-point buffer by the long break.
Bridgewater led by 101 points going into the final term.
The Anthony Dennis-coached Demons kept fighting and won the last, 28-27.
At the final siren the Mean Machine was up 151 to 51.
Sharp’s play brought him to within 13 goals of Bears-Lagoon Serpentine’s Josh Mellington in the race for the goalkicking honours.
Other multiple goalkickers for Bridgewater were Jack Neylon, three; and Boden Alexander, two.
The Demons’ attack was led by Thomas Piazza, three, and Mitchell Stephens, two.
Best for the Mean Machine were Boden Alexander, Lachlan Sharp, Oliver Watt, Jack Neylon, Harry Donegan and Darcy Wood.
Cody Thompson, Mitchell Stephens, Sam Green, Jack Maher, Rhys Lourie and Darcy Thompson worked hard for the Demons.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Marong 356 per cent, 32 points; Pyramid Hill 314, 24; Bridgewater 192, 24; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 167, 24; Newbridge 72, 12; Inglewood 58, 12; Calivil United 52, 8; Mitiamo 36, 0; Maiden Gully YCW 31, 0.
The second half of the home-and-away series kicks off next Saturday.
Calivil United will mark a return to Raywood to play Maiden Gully YCW from 2.15pm.
Newbridge and Bridgewater clash at Walker’s Doughnuts Riverside Oval in Newbridge.
Mitiamo takes on Marong at Mitiamo’s John Forbes Oval.
Pyramid Hill and Bears-Lagoon Serpentine meet in the clash of second and fourth at Pyramid Hill’s Mitchell Park.
Inglewood has the bye.
Leading goalkickers:
87 Josh Mellington, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
74 Lachlan Sharp, Bridgewater.
32 Zach Alford, Pyramid Hill.
27 Kain Robins, Marong.
24 Jesse Sheahan, Pyramid Hill.
22 Ryan Wellington, Marong.
19 Bailey Scott, Pyramid Hill.
19 Ryley Taylor, Marong.
18 Ben Baker, Calivil United.
17 Mitch Conlan, Inglewood.
15 Chris Dixon, Newbridge.
15 Noah McCaig, Marong.
14 Anthony Dennis, Calivil United.
11 Nathan Devanny, Marong.
11 Keelan Payne, Inglewood.
11 Matt Riordan, Marong.
10 Andy Collins, Bridgewater.
10 Will Farrer, Maiden Gully YCW.
10 Steven Gunther, Pyramid Hill.
10 Alex Lloyd, Mitiamo.
10 Daniel Polack, Inglewood.