BY NATHAN DOLE
MARONG is celebrating a senior footy premiership hat-trick in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL after Saturday’s hard-fought clash with Pyramid Hill at Mitiamo’s John Forbes Oval.
Hundreds of fans were at the ground to watch the historic match in which Marong aimed for a three-peat and Pyramid Hill tried to claim its first senior grand final win since 1950.
A strong breeze which pushed across the ground toward the scoreboard end meant it would not be a free-flowing contest.
The workrate of the Linton Jacobs-coached Marong to win or halve many duels for the footy was outstanding.
Pyramid Hill had the wind in the first term, but battled to break through a Panthers defence led by Matt Riordan, Jai Gretgrix, Sam Dean and Richard Tibbett.
The Bulldogs were first to goal through Zach Alford after a strong tackle.
Goals into the wind would be at a high premium.
A soccered shot by Ryan Wellington after the Panthers forced a turnover about 20 metres out put Marong in front, 8-6.
Pyramid Hill regained the lead when Tom Brennan was caught high in a ruck contest near goal.
Many of Marong’s attacks had been stopped by the athletic Tom McGregor who took plenty of intercept marks across the half-back line.
By quarter-time the Bulldogs led 14-8.
A scuffle between Marong forward Ryan Wellington and a spectator broke out as the Panthers made their way to the huddle at quarter-time.
The situation was quickly defused by league and club officials.
After a run of three behinds, Marong brought up its second goal through ruckman Michael Bradbury after Zach Alford had been yellow-carded and a 100m penalty awarded.
What was going to a tough scenario for the Bulldogs became more so as the Bulldogs had 17 on-field as Alford was off the ground for the rest of the quarter.
Marong seized on the opportunity with a goal by key forward Kain Robins and then another great effort by Lachlan Lee to rove the contest and then have a right-foot snap bounce through.
When Noah McCaig was on the end of a Wellington handball and goaled the Panthers led 35-15 nearing half-time.
Down by 20 points at the start of the third quarter, Pyramid Hill needed goals and quickly.
It took until the 12th minute when the experienced Gavin James goaled on the run after what was the Bulldogs’ best attacking move of the match.
Strong defensive efforts by the Panthers meant they held a 14-point buffer going into the final term.
Ryley Taylor took advantage of the swirling breeze as his shot at goal curled through for Marong to lead 45-25.
When Wellington marked a high kick into the scoreboard pocket and kicked truly the Panthers were home.
Panthers’ captain Nathan Devanny capped a fine game with a running shot which bounced through after he won the footy near centre half-forward.
As the siren sounded the Panthers led 61-25 to cap another brilliant season.
The AFL Victoria medal for best afield was presented to Marong on-baller Jimmy Gadsden.
The fast-running and skilful fleet which included Jimmy Gadsden, Ben and Corey Gregg, Noah and Jack McCaig, Jonty Davis and Lachlan Lee had a huge influence on the match.
Pyramid Hill coach Nathan Fitzpatrick said his team was up against a well-drilled, well-coached and well-led team.
“We are envious of what you have done,” Fitzpatrick said after consecutive grand final losses to Marong.
The Bulldogs broke Marong’s long-running winning streak in the home-and-away series and had outpointed Marong in the second semi-final.
On grand final day it was the Panthers who reigned supreme once again.
Fitzpatrick praised Pyramid Hill’s players for their willingness to learn and keep striving for success.
“We will go again.”
In a remarkable run in footy and cricket, Linton Jacobs has racked up about 15 premiership wins.
The latest was one of the most satisfying.
The man dubbed ‘Wizard’ has done a remarkable job since he took charge at Marong.
Unlike the previous two years, Marong had not been as dominant a force.
“Pyramid Hill raised the bar and took it right up to us in every game.”
Jacobs said the team learnt a lot from the second semi-final loss to Pyramid Hill.
“In that match we were probably too defensive, which was on me.
“For the grand final the plan was to attack as much as possible, with the breeze and playing into it.”
Jacobs said the 22 on-field capped off the work by so many at Marong FNC.
“Everything I have asked of this group the past three or four years they have done.”
Jacobs singled out Lachlan Frankel for a special mention.
“Lachy’s young fella was crook during the week, and Lachy was also ill late in the week.
“He doubted he would be fit enough to play a full game in the seniors, so chose to play in the reserves instead.
“It was one of the most selfless acts I have seen in my time in footy.”
Frankel’s place in the team was taken by Sam Dean.
After a break of almost 30 years to win a senior premiership, Marong is now basking in the glory.
Jacobs’ decision to take on the coaching role after being at Eaglehawk for so long was sparked in a discussion with younger brother, Cory, Corey Gregg and Richard Tibbett.
“We had all played at the Borough and were keen to be together again.
“Marong had been starved of success for so long, so the challenge was one I was keen to take on.”
Jacobs said there was plenty of hard work done on and off the field.
“A goal was to lift the standards in training and the way we played.”
The Panthers have done that and then some.
From the presentation dais the triple premiership-winning coach also praised the Loddon Valley FNL board led by Simon Tuohey on another great season.
“There is so much work done by behind the scenes.”
Marong’s search for a new senior coach kicks off as Jacobs will take charge at Colbinabbin for the ’25 season in a return to a club he played for.
The reserves premiership cup made its way to Pyramid Hill after the Bulldogs defeated Marong by five points.
The Stephen Donat-coached Bulldogs led 9-6 at quarter-time and then scored 2.3 as the Panthers added 1.2 in the second.
A 10-point buffer for Pyramid Hill at half-time became 12 points at a quarter to play after the red, white and blue won the third quarter, 8-6.
The Zack Turnbull and Aaron Collins-coached Marong did plenty of attacking in the last where Kyle Manley was a huge threat to the Bulldogs’ defence.
Marong’s play was capped with two goals, but a score of 1.1 by Pyramid Hill was enough to clinch a 39-34 victory.
Goalkickers for Pyramid Hill were Harrison Goodes, Dylan Lovell, Nathan Moon, Greg Quinn and Bailey Scott.
It was a match-high haul of four goals by Manley as Brad Matthews also goaled.
Pyramid Hill’s best were Michael Dundon, Adrian Holland, Mitch Gunther and Brad Moon.
Best for Marong were Kyle Manley, Cooper Hale, Kai Terrill and Lachlan Frankel.
The AFL Victoria medal was presented to Marong’s Cooper Hale.
East Loddon Rams charged to the under-18s premiership.
In a brilliant start to the match the Jade Clymo-coached Rams led 27-9 at half-time.
East Loddon then won the third quarter, 8-7.
Marong fought on to score 2.2 in the last term, but the Rams also kicked a goal to seal a 41-29 victory.
The Rams’ attack was led by Mitchell Hancock and Mason Hocking on two goals each as Blake Dowton and Liam Stephens were also on target.
Goalkickers for Marong were Max Lowery, Harry Mannix, Cooper Murphy and Bailey O’Neill.
East Loddon’s best were Tyler Rasmussen, Liam Stephens, Brodie Wagner and Cade Tuohey.
Kepler Thompson, Riley Kerr, Bailey O’Neill and Jimmy Taylor played well for the Panthers.
Victory capped a remarkable finals campaign by East Loddon which had been beaten by Marong four times in the home-and-away series.
An unbeaten streak of 16 for the Paul Thompson and Ryley Taylor-coached Marong was broken in the second semi-final which East Loddon won by 27 points.
Loddon Valley footy grand finals scoreboard:
Seniors:
Marong 1.2 5.5 5.8 8.13 (61)
Pyramid Hill 2.2 2.3 3.6 3.7 (25)
GOALS – Marong: Ryan Wellington 2, Michael Bradbury, Nathan Devanny, Lachlan Lee, Noah McCaig, Kain Robins, Ryley Taylor. Pyramid Hill: Zach Alford, Thomas Brennan, Gavin James.
BEST – Marong: Jimmy Gadsden, Matt Riordan, Jonty Davis, Lachlan Lee, Nathan Devanny, Michael Bradbury. Pyramid Hill: Tom McGregor, Lachlan Sidebottom, Damon Hemphill, Zac Dingwall, Gavin James, Dylan Morison.
Marong’s premiership-winning team:
Michael Bradbury, Todd Davies, Jonty Davis, Sam Dean, Nathan Devanny, Jimmy Gadsden, Will Gadsden, Ben Gregg, Corey Gregg, Jai Gretgrix, Brodie Hartland, David Johnstone, Shaun Knott, Lachlan Lee, Jack McCaig, Noah McCaig, Matt Riordan, Kain Robins, Ryley Taylor, Richard Tibbett, Ryan Wellington, Matt Willox.
Coach: Linton Jacobs.
Reserves:
Pyramid Hill 1.3 3.6 4.8 5.9 (39)
Marong 1.0 2.2 3.2 5.4 (34)
GOALS – Pyramid Hill: Harrison Goodes, Dylan Lovell, Nathan Moon, Greg Quinn, Bailey Scott. Marong: Kyle Manley 4, Brad Matthews.
BEST – Pyramid Hill: Michael Dundon, Adrian Holland, Mitch Gunther, Brad Moon, Thomas Walker, Nathan Coyle. Marong: Kyle Manley, Cooper Hale, Kai Terrill, Lachlan Frankel, Harry Baker, Billy Stewart.
AFL Victoria medal: Cooper Hale, Marong.
Pyramid Hill’s premiership-winning team:
Ed Caburnay, Nathan Coyle, Brad Delamere, Mitch Dingwall, Brad Driscoll, Michael Dundon, Ashton Dye, Blake Gibson, Harrison Goodes, Mitch Gunther, Adrian Holland, Glen James, Dylan Lovell, Brad Moon, Matt Moon, Nathan Moon, Greg Quinn, Kaleb Quinn, Dolf Reid, Bailey Scott, Matt Smith, Thomas Walker.
Coach: Stephen Donat.
Under-18s:
East Loddon 2.3 4.3 5.5 6.5 (41)
Marong 1.1 1.3 2.3 4.5 (29)
GOALS – East Loddon: Mitchell Hancock, Mason Hocking 2, Blake Dowton, Liam Stephens. Marong: Max Lowery, Harry Mannix, Cooper Murphy, Bailey O’Neill.
BEST – East Loddon: Tyler Rasmussen, Liam Stephens, Brodie Wagner, Cade Tuohey, Mason Hocking. Marong: Kepler Thompson, Riley Kerr, Bailey O’Neill, Jimmy Taylor, Harry Mannix, Josh Curnow.
East Loddon Rams premiership-winning team:
Angus Addlem, Oscar Balic, Ned Cartwright, Fynn Clymo, Patrick Cunningham, Blake Dowton, Max Gray, Mark Green, Mitchell Hancock, Mason Hocking, Lachlan James, Will Josey, Joe Ketterer, Kyen Maxted, Noah Ramskill, Tyler Rasmussen, Aidan Roulston, Jake Smith, Liam Stephens, Cade Tuohey, Brodie Wagner, Harvey White.
Coach: Jade Clymo.