BY NATHAN DOLE
WIN number six in Saturday’s ninth round was among the toughest for Bears Lagoon-Serpentine in this season’s Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL’s senior footy action.
The Bears had to work incredibly hard for an 81-56 victory on Maiden Gully YCW’s turf at Marist College Bendigo Oval.
BLS led 16-2 at quarter-time before teams added 4.2 in the second.
The Justin Laird-coached Bears outscored the Eagles, 21-14 in the third and 18-14 in the last.
Multiple goalkickers for the third-placed Bears were Harry Gadsden, Justin Laird and Darcy Poulter on two each.
The Eagles’ attack was led by Corey Walsh on two.
Best for BLS were Darcy Poulter, Justin Laird, Jeremy Hancock, Charlie Gadsden, Josh Taig and Orion Downing.
Maiden Gully YCW coach Jay McDonald was best along with vice-captain Tyler Miles, Corey Walsh, Jayden Magnusson, Damian Wust and Will Noden.
Inglewood won every quarter in a 109-62 victory against Calivil United at Inglewood’s Dissy Machinery.
The Darrell Billett-coached Blues led 32-15 at quarter-time and 68-28 by the long break.
Calivil United lifted its play to score three goals in the third as Inglewood set up plenty of attacks, but was astray near goal as it added 2.7.
Led by the play of Bregon Cotchett, Gabe Nevins and Daniel Polack, Inglewood kicked on for a 109-62 result.
Charlie McGaw led the Blues’ attack on five goals as Daniel Polack kicked four and Bregon Cotchett and Sam Dorevitch added two each.
Ben Baker was in hot form as he booted four goals for Calivil United and Evan Ritchie added two.
Inglewood’s best included Sam Dorevitch, Fergus Payne and Jayden Leach.
Best for the Anthony Dennis-coached Demons were Ben Baker, Lachlan Brook, Cody Thompson, Justin Hynes, Henry Miller and Mitch Avard.
Goalkicking practice may be on the schedule for Pyramid Hill after it scored 16.26 in its home game against Newbridge at Mitchell Park.
The Bulldogs dominated the first hour to lead 6.17 (53) to 1.0 (6) at half-time.
The Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Pyramid Hill went on for a 122-25 victory.
Multiple goalkickers for the Bulldogs were Mitchell Dingwall, four; Bailey George and Will Perryman, three; and Zach Alford two.
Caleb Sanders kicked two goals for Newbridge.
Best for Pyramid Hill were Will Perryman, Scott Mann, Seb Relouw, Thomas Hetherington, Bailey George and Gavin James.
Dylan Lloyd, Will Daly, co-coach Sam Gale, Caleb Sanders, Angus Fortune and Blake Harris were best for the Maroons.
Marong had 53 scoring shots in its match on Mitiamo’s turf at John Forbes Oval.
A nine-goal haul by Brandyn Grenfell lifted his season tally to 49.
Fast starts have been a hallmark of Marong all season.
The Linton Jacobs-coached Panthers led 49-6 at quarter-time and 90-13 after term two.
Matt Riordan and Kain Robins went on to kick four goals as Ryley Taylor added three and Kyle Manley chipped in with two.
At the final siren, Marong led 193-13.
Goalkickers for Mitiamo were captian Luke Lougoon and Rhys Varcoe.
Marong’s best were Kyle Manley, Nathan Devanny, Michael Bradbury, Noah McCaig, Jimmy Gadsden and Lachlan Lee.
Luke Lougoon, Ross Turner, Eli Spears, Zac Tuohey, Dylan Clohesy and Waylon Draper worked hard for the Jon Varcoe-coached Superoos.
Bridgewater had the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Marong 577 per cent, 32 points; Pyramid Hill 205, 28; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 116, 24; Inglewood 126, 20; Bridgewater 89, 16; Calivil United 61, 8; Maiden Gully YCW 57, 8; Mitiamo 39.8, 4; Newbridge 39.6, 4.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
49 Brandyn Grenfell, Marong.
37 Josh Martyn, Bridgewater.
29 Kain Robins, Marong.
28 Charlie McGaw, Inglewood.
22 Matt Riordan, Marong.
20 Ryley Taylor, Marong.
19 Bailey George, Pyramid Hill.
19 Justin Laird, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
16 Zach Alford, Pyramid Hill.
16 Sam Dorevitch, Inglewood.
16 Jay Reynolds, Mitiamo.
15 Tom Brennan, Pyramid Hill.
15 Jack McCaig, Marong.
15 Keelan Payne, Inglewood.
14 Andy Gladman, Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
14 Will Perryman, Pyramid Hill.
There will be no play on the weekend of June 10-12 because of the King’s Birthday holiday weekend.
The Loddon Valley FNL season resumes on June 17 when the 10th round will be contested.
Newbridge takes on Calivil United at Holloway Air Riverside Oval in Newbridge.
Bears-Lagoon Serpentine faces Inglewood at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
Marong meets Maiden Gully YCW in the Panthers’ den at Marong’s Malone Park.
Bridgewater hosts Mitiamo.
Pyramid Hill has the bye.