BY NATHAN DOLE
Marong’s run at premiership hat-trick rolls on
MARONG’S quest for a hat-trick of senior footy premierships in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL keeps rolling on.
The Panthers dominated Saturday’s preliminary final against Bridgewater to book a spot in the fight for the premiership cup with Pyramid Hill.
Stung by a 13-point to the Bulldogs in the second semi-final, Marong was fired up from the first ball-up of the clash with the Mean Machine at Inglewood’s Centre State Scaffolding Oval.
The Linton Jacobs-coached Panthers slammed on eight goals in the first quarter as they gained a 45-point lead by the break.
Marong’s ferocity at the contest did not ease up.
Some injury concerns made what was always going to a huge challenge for Bridgewater even greater.
By half-time Marong led 72-16.
The Panthers won the third quarter, 35-15.
The final term was to be the most even of the match as Marong added 5.3 and Bridgewater fought on to score four straight goals.
Kain Robins and Ryley Taylor led Marong’s attack on three goals each in the 140-55 victory.
Other multiple goalkickers for the Panthers were ruckman Michael Bradbury, on-baller Nathan Devanny, Jack McCaig and Ryan Wellington with two.
Bridgewater’s attack was led by Lee Coghlan on three goals as Darcy Wood booted two.
Best for Marong were Jai Gretgrix, Jimmy Gadsden, Jack and Noah McCaig.
Stand-outs for the Rick Ladson-coached Bridgewater in the preliminary final were Lee Coghlan, Jack Neylon, Harry Conway and Joseph Mayes.
The Panthers will now prepare to take on Pyramid Hill in a rematch of the ’23 grand finalists.
A big watch at Marong’s training this week will be on on-baller and Harding medallist Corey Gregg as he fights to overcome a calf injury.
Tall defender Richard Tibbett rolled an ankle against Bridgewater, but did play on.
The Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Bulldogs have won their past two hit-outs with Marong.
After victory in the elimination final against Newbridge and then Bears-Lagoon Serpentine in the first semi-final, Bridgewater could not halt Marong’s charge.
The Panthers are again a chance to claim a premiership trifecta after the reserves and under-18 teams won on Saturday.
In the reserves, Marong marked a 69-20 win against Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.
Best for Marong were Fletcher Waters, Cooper Hale, Billy Stewart and Harry Baker.
Cameron O’Shannessy, Daniel Boulton, Jaydin Wingrave and Oscar Amy played well for the Bears.
Marong will now meet Pyramid Hill in the grand final.
The Bulldogs beat the Panthers, 27-19 in the second semi-final on Bridgewater’s turf.
It was a 113-point victory for Marong in the under-18s preliminary final against Inglewood.
Marong scored five goals in the first quarter and another four majors in the second to lead 64-7 by half-time.
A tally of 40 scoring shots as the Blues had just two was a sign of the Panthers dominance in a 120-7 result.
Wilhelm Thomson led Marong’s attack on three goals as Jett Bird, Riley Doorty, Riley Kerr, Max Lowery and Cooper Murphy kicked two each.
Tyler Murphy was on target for the Blues.
Best for Marong were Kepler Thomson, Jett Bird, Riley Kerr and Kane Harris.
Willem Schepers, Kyle McClellan, Evan McCoy and Cooper Hackett were Inglewood’s best.
The unbeaten streak of 15 matches for Marong was ended in a 53-26 loss to East Loddon in the second semi-final.
Loddon Valley footy preliminary finals scoreboard:
Seniors:
Marong 8.4 11.6 16.11 21.14 (140)
Bridgewater 1.1 2.4 4.7 8.7 (55)
GOALS – Marong: Kain Robins, Ryley Taylor 3, Michael Bradbury, Nathan Devanny, Jack McCaig, Ryan Wellington 2, Jonty Davis, Ben Gregg, Corey Gregg, Shaun Knott, Lachlan Lee, Noah McCaig, Richard Tibbett. Bridgewater: Lee Coghlan 3, Darcy Wood 2, Josh Martyn, Jack Neylon, Lachlan Sharp.
BEST – Marong: Jai Gretgrix, Jimmy Gadsden, Jack McCaig, Noah McCaig, Lachlan Lee, Brodie Hartland. Bridgewater: Lee Coghlan, Jack Neylon, Harry Conway, Joseph Mayes, Darcy Wood, Jon Coghlan.
Reserves:
Marong 10.9 (69)
Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 3.2 (20)
GOALS – Marong: David Blume, Cooper Hale, Kyle Manley, Brad Matthews 2, Tom Grant, Zack Turnbull. Bears-Lagoon Serpentine: Clay Anstee, Jayden Gladman, Steve Gladman.
BEST – Marong: Fletcher Waters, Cooper Hale, Billy Stewart, Harry Baker, Luke Jongbloed, Kyle Manley. Bears-Lagoon Serpentine: Cameron O’Shannessy, Daniel Boulton, Jaydin Wingrave, Oscar Amy, Zachary Stone, Matthew Frecker.
Under-18s:
Marong 5.3 9.10 12.17 16.24 (120)
Inglewood 0.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 (7)
GOALS – Marong: Wilhelm Thomson 3, Jett Bird, Riley Doorty, Riley Kerr, Max Lowery, Cooper Murphy 2, Tanner Jennings, Jack McMurray, Seb Vinnicombe. Inglewood: Tyler Murphy.
BEST – Marong: Kepler Thomson, Jett Bird, Riley Kerr, Kane Harris, Max Lowery, Jack McMurray. Inglewood: Willem Schepers, Kyle McClellan, Evan McCoy, Cooper Hackett, Tyler Murphy, Riley Murphy.
Schedule for Saturday’s grand finals at John Forbes Oval, Mitiamo:
Under-18s at 10.30am: East Loddon v Marong.
Reserves at 12.30pm: Pyramid Hill v Marong.
Seniors at 2.30pm: Pyramid Hill v Marong.