MARONG ended Mitiamo’s winning streak on 20 in Saturday’s third round of the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League’s senior footy action.
The Panthers and Superoos clashed on the Superoos’ turf at John Forbes Oval.
Unbeaten since the 15th round of the 2019 season, Mitiamo was aiming to chalk up 21 wins in a row.
The Marcus McKern-coached Superoos worked hard to lead 50-40 at half-time against the in-form Panthers.
Marong turned the game in the third quarter as it added 4.3 to 1.3.
Led by the play of David Johnstone, Brodie Hartland, Jack McCaig and Kyle Manley, Marong won the last term, 22-15, and the contest, 89-74.
The Mitiamo defence worked hard to limit the impact gun forwards Brandyn Grenfell and Kain Robins had on the contest, but the Linton Jacobs-coached Panthers found other avenues to goal.
Johnstone capped a best on ground performance by kicking two goals, as did Ryley Taylor, while Grenfell ended with a team-high three majors.
Mitiamo’s leading goalkickers were Lucas Matthews, three; Tom Grant and assistant coach Ross Turner, two.
The Panthers’ best included Taylor and Jimmy Gadsden.
Best for the Superoos were Luke Lougoon, Turner, Matthews, Lee Dale, Daniel Mowat and Jack Vinnicombe.
Closest match of the day was at Marist College Oval where Maiden Gully YCW took on Newbridge.
The Eagles and Newbridge were desperate to break their season duck.
Maiden Gully YCW led 30-17 at quarter-time and 46-37 by the main break.
Fans were in for a thrilling finish after Newbridge scored 1.3 to a point in the third term to trail 46-47 at a quarter to go.
It was the Luke Freeman-coached Newbridge which finished the game full of running as it scored 2.4 to 1.1 to win 62-54.
Last season’s Harding medallist Harry Whittle played a superb game for the Maroons by kicking four goals in a best on ground performance.
Recruited from South Bendigo, Tyler McLeod marked his best for the Maroons as another former Bloods’ team-mate, Mitch Hocking won plenty of the ball.
Cameron Grant, Ryan Burt and Jordan Formosa all played well in Newbridge’s victory.
Best for the Wayne Mitrovic-coached Eagles were Jessi Lampi, ruckman Chris Howgate, Mitchell Dean, Hamish McCartney, Ryan Warfe and Joel Dwyer.
A well-rested Pyramid Hill was too strong for Bears Lagoon Serpentine on the Bulldogs’ turf at Mitchell Park.
After a 20-point victory at Bridgewater in round one, Pyramid Hill had the bye and then Easter break.
The Bulldogs made a flying start to the fight with the Bears as they led 44-12 at quarter-time.
The Justin Laird-coached BLS worked hard to win quarter two, 19-16, but a 5.3 to 0.1 run by Pyramid Hill in the third put the result beyond doubt.
Braidy Dickens, Bailey George and Will Perryman kicked three goals apiece as the Dogs won 15.11 (101) to 8.4 (52).
The Bears’ attack was led by Andrew Gladman, three; Laird and Miggy Podosky, two goals.
Pyramid Hill’s best were Billy Micevski, George, Gavin James, Braidy Dickens, Jake Willcocks and Steven Gunther.
Best for the Bears were Josh Walsh, Ryan Prendergast, James Bailey, Harrison Gadsden, Anthony Lewin and Kalem Paxton.
Bridgewater denied Inglewood a hat-trick of victories to start the season.
The Rick Ladson-coached Mean Machine was also fired up after consecutive defeats to start the ’22 campaign.
Bridgewater led 21-9 at quarter-time and 54-34 by the long break.
The Mean Machine clicked up a few gears in the next term as it slammed on 7.3 to 1.2.
Former Richmond and Carlton midfielder/forward Andy Collins kicked five goals for Bridgewater as full-forward Josh Martyn also added five on the way to a 19.14 (128) to 8.7 (55) result.
Leading goalkicker for the Darrell Billett-coached Inglewood was Cody Wright on three.
Best afield honours went to Andy Collins as Jack Ozanne, Matthew Bourke, Jacob Ellings, James Naughton and Harry Donegan also played well.
The Blues’ best were Thomas Kennedy, Nathan Angelino, Charlie Ingham, Campbell Love and Jasper McClelland.
Calivil United had the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Marong 241 per cent, 12 points; Pyramid Hill 169, 8; Mitiamo 163, 8; Inglewood 106, 8; Bridgewater 90, 4; Newbridge 83, 4; Bears Lagoon Serpentine 57, 4; Calivil United 82, 0; Maiden Gully YCW 45, 0.
Match of the day in Saturday’s fourth round will be Marong against Pyramid Hill in the Panthers’ den at Malone Park.
Calivil United meets the Mitiamo Superoos on the rebound from defeat at Calivil Recreation Reserve.
Bears Lagoon Serpentine clashes with Bridgewater at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
Newbridge tackles Inglewood at Holloway Air Riverside Oval in Newbridge.
Maiden Gully YCW has the bye.
Written by Nathan Dole.