-By Nathan Dole
MITIAMO has broken its winless streak in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL senior footy competiton.
The Roos marked a 72-60 victory against Calivil United in last Saturday’s match on the Superoos’ turf at John Forbes Oval.
Luke Lougoon marked his senior coaching debut with a win as Mitiamo’s players and fans celebrated their first victory since a 94-46 result at Newbridge’s Riverside Oval in the 14th round of the 2023 season.
After a bye in the opening round of the ’25 campaign, Mitiamo led 20-10 at quarter-time and 40-26 by half-time of Saturday’s showdown with the Demons.
The Sam Maher-coached Calivil United fought back to win the third quarter, 20-16.
Both teams added two goasl in the last as Mitiamo claimed the points.
Brayden Baines led the Superoos’ attack on three goals as Seth Wright kicked two.
Mitch Stephens and Lewis Williams booted two goals each for Calivil United.
A huge plus for Mitiamo was the return of experienced on-baller Doug Thomas who was best afield.
Also in the best for the Superoos were Liam Shiell, Cody Tuohey, Ryan Duncan, Luke Lougoon and Zach Morrison.
Best for the Demons were Cody Thompson, Sam Maher, Riley Walsh, Rhys Lourie, Anthony Dennis and Dylan Goulding.
The red and blue has kicked off the season with a draw and defeat.
Marong charged clear in the third quarter of the ’24 grand final rematch against Pyramid Hill in the Panthers’ den at Jackal Oval in Marong’s Malone Park.
The Panthers led 43-33 at half-time and then slammed on seven goals as the Dogs added just one major in the crucial third quarter.
Pyramid Hill hit back to win the last, 26-21, but it was Marong which led 109-67 at the final siren.
Ryley Taylor kicked six goals for the Panthers as co-coach Kain Robins booted four.
The Bulldogs’ attack was led by Ben Bisset, Harrison Goodes and Mitch Langan on two each.
Best for a Marong team which has Paul Thompson as non-playing co-coach were ruckman Michael Bradbury, Ryley Taylor, Jimmy Gadsden, Brodie Hartland, Jack McCaig and Kyle Manley.
Key defender Daniel Frame, on-baller Ryan Semmel, Brodie Carroll, Lachlan Sidebottom, Gavin James and Levi Moss were best for the Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Pyramid Hill.
Inglewood again put in a spirited performance against Bears Lagoon-Serpentine at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
The Jake Wilkinson-coached Bears raced to a 28-1 lead by quarter-time and 50-27 by the main break.
In the third term it was the Fergus Payne-coached Inglewood which lifted its run and workrate.
The Blues were rewarded by scoring 4.6 as they drew within three goals at a quarter to play.
Although Inglewood won the last term, 23-15, it was the Bears who led 90-80 at the final siren.
In the absence of gun forward Josh Mellington, abductor injury, it was Luke Crawford and Farran Priest who ruled the BLS attack on four goals each.
Seb Erharter kicked a match-high six goals for Inglewood as Kai Cavallaro kicked two.
Best for Bears Lagoon-Serpentine were Farran Priest, Callum Draper, Andy Gladman, Nathan Twigg, Darcy Hawker and Jarrod Starr.
The Blues’ best were Bregon Cotchett, Seb Erharter, Tom Kennedy, Luke Matheson, Liam Marciano and Kai Cavallaro.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles put in a superb first half to be within eight points of Bridgewater at half-time of their contest at Maiden Gully’s Marist College Oval.
The Eagles led 31-27 at quarter-time before Bridgewater hit back to win the second, 16-4.
In the final hour it was the Mean Machine which motored away to score 10.7 as the Eagles added 4.5.
Bridgewater coach Lachlan Sharp capped another superb match with nine goals as Oliver Watt kicked two.
The Eagles’ attack was led by Tyler James on four as former Brisbane Lions and Essendon forward Damian Cupido and Bryce Franzini added two each.
Best for Bridgewater were midfielder Luke Ellings, Jack Neylon, Joel Green, Tom McKinley and Lachlan Sharp.
The Eagles’ best were Daniel Russell, Mitch Whitham, Grayson Brown, Bryce Franzini, Tyler James and Mitch Hill.
Maiden Gully YCW is jointly coached by Shawn Filo, non-playing, and Angus Monfries, playing.
Newbridge had the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Bridgewater 158 per cent, 8 points; Marong 138, 8; Mitiamo 120, 4; Pyramid Hill 106, 4; Bears Lagoon Serpentine 84, 4; Calivil United 91, 2; Maiden Gully YCW 74, 2; Inglewood 89, 0; Newbridge 51, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
15 Lachlan Sharp, Bridgewater.
9 Ben Bisset, Pyramid Hill.
9 Seb Erharter, Inglewood.
9 Ryley Taylor, Marong.
8 Josh Mellington, Bears Lagoon Serpentine.
6 Tyler James, Maiden Gully YCW.
5 Luke Crawford, Bears Lagoon Serpentine.
5 Mitch Langan, Pyramid Hill.
5 Kain Robins, Marong.
4 Ed Crisp, Maiden Gully YCW.
4 Luke Ellings, Bridgewater.
4 Jake Lawry, Calivil United.
4 Farran Priest, Bears Lagoon Serpentine.
3 Brayden Baines, Mitiamo.
3 Kai Cavallaro, Inglewood.
3 Todd Delahey, Maiden Gully YCW.
3 Jacob Ede, Marong.
3 Ben Knight, Pyramid Hill.
3 Gabe Nevins, Inglewood.
3 Billy Schilling, Newbridge.
There will be no play across the Loddon Valley on the Easter holiday weekend.
Round three kicks off with the Anzac Day match between Maiden Gully YCW Eagles and Newbridge from 2.15pm at Maiden Gully’s Marist College Oval.
On April 26 it will be Inglewood against Bridgewater at Inglewood’s Centre State Scaffolding Oval from 2.15pm.
Calivil United takes on Marong at Calivil Recreation Reserve.
Pyramid Hill and Mitiamo meet in the clash of the Bulldogs and Superoos at Pyramid Hill’s Mitchell Park.
Bears Lagoon Serpentine has the bye.