BY NATHAN DOLE
BRIDGEWATER’S finals experience played a huge part as it beat Inglewood in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL senior footy elimination final on Sunday.
Runner-up last season, Bridgewater took on Inglewood at Beck Legal Riverside Oval in Newbridge.
The Darrell Billett-coached Blues had beaten the Mean Machine in both home-and-away matches in the run to Inglewood’s first seniors finals appearance in many years.
On Sunday it was the Rick Ladson-coached Bridgewater which led 35-21 at half-time and 61-52 at a quarter to play.
In the last the Machine powered away to score 4.1 to 1.6 to complete an 86-64 victory.
The return of captain and key forward Josh Martyn was a huge plus as he went on to kick five goals for Bridgewater.
On-baller Harry Donegan capped a best afield performance with two goals and Nic Hall also added two.
The Machine’s best included Tyler Estrada and Charlton Hindle who booted a goal each.
Inglewood’s attack was led by Alex Lowe and Fergus Payne on two.
Other goalkickers for the Blues were Bregon Cotchett, Charlie Ingham, Jayden Leach, Daniel Polack and Cody Wright.
Bridgewater’s best were Harry Donegan, Charlton Hindle, Lachlan Cohen, Harry McKinley, Tyler Estrada and Josh Martyn.
Charlie Ingham, Tom Kennedy, Sam Polack, Gabe Nevins, Cody Stobaus and Fergus Payne played well for the Blues.
Finals action kicked with Saturday’s qualifying finals at Bridgewater.
In the seniors, Pyramid Hill faced Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
A closely-fought opening quarter ended with Pyramid Hill in front, 27-25.
From there it was the Bulldogs who dominated play.
The Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Pyramid Hill slammed on 7.5 to 1.1 in the second to build a seven-goal lead by the long break.
The Bulldogs’ intensity at the contest and teamwork was outstanding as they scored 3.5 to 1.1 in the third.
As impressive as Pyramid Hill’s attacking play was to score 16.15 (111) it was defence which was superb as the Bears were held to a score of 6.6 (42).
Leading goalkickers for Pyramid Hill were Thomas Brennan, Brodie Carroll, Steven Gunther, Billy Micevski, Jesse Sheahan on two each.
The Dogs also had Zach Alford, Ed Caburnay, Bryden Morison, Will Perryman, Seb Relouw and Lachlan Sidebottom chip in with a goal.
James Rippingale kicked a match-high four goals for the Bears as James Bailey and Callum Draper kicked one.
Best for Pyramid Hill were Brodie Carroll, Lachlan Sidebottom, Tom McGregor, Gavin James, Jesse Sheahan and Scott Mann.
Orion Downing, Harry Gadsden, James Rippingale, Charlie Gadsden, Bailey Harrison and Callum Draper were best for the Justin Laird-coached Bears.
In the reserves competition, Maiden Gully YCW was too strong for Inglewood in the elimination final.
The Eagles led 20-3 at half-time and then added 5.3 to 1.3 in the second half for a 53-12 victory.
Haidyn Minnis kicked three goals for the Eagles.
Best for the Eagles were Grayson Brown, Steve Turner, Mitchell Dean, Jordan Crisp, Daniel Bice and Haidyn Minnis.
Kyle Dundas, Peter Ingamells, Jas Phillips, Simon Dundas, Deklen Gorrie and Darth Mackay were the Blues’ best.
In Saturday’s qualifying final, Pyramid Hill beat Bears-Lagoon Serpentine by 69 points.
The Bulldogs led 19-7 at quarter-time and then unleashed a second-quarter blitz of 5.1 to a point for a seven-goal lead at the main break.
Pyramid Hill went on to win 13.7 (85) to 2.4 (16).
Leading goalkickers for the Bulldogs were Nathan Moon and Rowan Pollock, three; and Ashton Dye, two.
Inglewood captain Jayden Gladman kicked both of his team’s goals.
Best for Pyramid Hill were Nathan Moon, Darcy Hetherington, Thomas Walker, Matthew Moon, Dylan Goulding and Greg Quinn.
Zac Hollis, Allan Edwards, Jaydin Wingrave, Zach Stone, Kevin Walton and Cameron O’Shannessy were Inglewood’s best.
Semi-finals will be played next weekend.
On Saturday the unbeaten Marong takes on Pyramid Hill in the seniors second semi at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve at 2.15pm.
Marong and Pyramid Hill meet in the reserves second semi.
On Sunday it’s first semi-finals at Pyramid Hill’s Mitchell Park.
Bears-Lagoon Serpentine tackles Bridgewater in the seniors match.
Bears-Lagoon Serpentine and Maiden Gully YCW will fight to keep their season alive in the reserves clash.