MITIAMO’S incredible winning run in senior footy will be under threat from Marong in this Saturday’s third round of the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League season.
The Superoos take on a red-hot Marong at John Forbes Oval in Mitiamo.
Since a 71-75 loss to Calivil United on July 20 in 2019, Mitiamo has not been defeated.
A great run by the Superoos includes the 2019 grand final victory and then a run of 12 victories in a ’21 campaign cut short by Covid.
Mitiamo has started this season by scoring a home-ground win against Bears Lagoon Serpentine and then on Newbridge’s turf at Holloway Air Riverside Park.
The Superoos now prepare to take on a Marong line-up that thrashed Maiden Gully YCW and then beat Bridgewater by 77 points in the Panthers’ den at Malone Park.
Mitiamo coach Marcus McKern will have spent plenty of time working on ways to stop Marong’s gun forwards – Brandyn Grenfell and Kain Robins.
They lead the goalkicking race on 14 and 10 goals.
The play of a Mitiamo defence that includes Luke Lougoon, Jack Vinnicombe, Daniel Mowat and Kyle Patten will be crucial.
At the other end of the ground, the Superoos have an attack that includes Jay Reynolds and Ryan Wellington.
Key players for Mitiamo include ruckman Michael I’Anson, Ross Turner, Lee Dale, Jarryd Wiegard, Lucas Matthews and Doug Thomas.
A formidable Marong team coached by Linton Jacobs includes the running power of Ben and Corey Gregg, Jimmy Gadsden, Adam Ward and Nathan Devanny.
A defence led by Jacob Ede, Matthew Willock and Nathan Walsh has also played a big part in the Panthers’ strong start.
It’s been a lengthy wait for Pyramid Hill to play.
The Bulldogs won at Bridgewater in round one, had a bye and then the Easter break.
Pyramid Hill will be on home turf at Mitchell Park to take on Bears Lagoon Serpentine.
Best for the Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Bulldogs in round one were Ryley Dickens, Steven Gunther, Billy Micevski and Bailey George.
Others to watch for the red, white and blue include Braidy Dickens, Bryden Morison, Scott Mann, Bailey George and Jack Timmins.
The Bulldogs also welcome back Brad Ladson.
The Bears bounced back from a 14-goal loss at Mitiamo to win their home game at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve against Calivil United by four points.
Best for the Justin Laird-coached BLS were Josh Walsh, Kalem Paxton and Zachary Stone.
The play of Charlie and Harrison Gadsden, Andrew Gladman, Ryan Prendergast and Jacob Szitovsky could have a major bearing on this result.
Margins in the past six showdowns between Bridgewater and Inglewood have been 140, 207, 42, 27, 25 and 155 in favour of the Mean Machine.
Fans can expect the margin to be a lot closer this time when the Mean Machine and Blues clash at Bridgewater.
The Rick Ladson-coached Bridgewater is chasing its first victory after being beaten by Pyramid Hill and then Marong.
Unlike previous years, a new-look Inglewood has made a flying start.
The Darrell Billett-coached Inglewood won at Calivil by five goals in round one and then followed up with a 62-point victory against Maiden Gully YCW on the Blues’ turf at Dissy Machinery Oval.
Bridgewater will look to Andy Collins, Harry Donegan, Lloyd Needs, Harry and Jack Symons, and Alex Pollock to set up plenty of attacks.
Key forward Josh Martyn will be a huge threat to Inglewood’s defence.
The Machine also regains Zane Hoiles in defence.
Stars in Inglewood’s run have been Alex Lowe, Bregon Cotchett, Cody Stobaus, Mitch Martin and Charlie McGaw.
Traiton Kendal and Alex Lowe kicked five and four goals apiece in the win against the Eagles.
Other players to watch for the Blues include Tarran Kilcullen, Campbell Love, Kyle Simpson and Jaxon Billett.
Maiden Gully YCW and Newbridge will break their season duck when they clash on the Eagles’ turf at Marist College Oval.
The Eagles were well beaten by Marong in round one and then played at Inglewood.
The Eagles’ best against the Blues were Mitchell Dean, ruckman Chris Howgate, Grayson Brown and Hunter McDonald.
Eagles’ coach Wayne Mitrovic will look for big games from the likes of experienced defender Steve Turner, key forward Josh Batty, Ed Crisp and Ryan Strauch across half-back, and ruck-rover Jessi Lampi.
There were a lot of positives for the Luke Freeman-coached Newbridge in its first hit-out of the season against Mitiamo at Holloway Air Riverside Park.
The Maroons were within seven points of the Superoos at half-time before Mitiamo kicked away for a 73-44 victory.
Best for Newbridge were Caleb Sanders, Harding medallist Harry Whittle, Brandon Etherington and Jordan Formosa.
A Maroons’ attack that includes Corey Van Aken, Mackenzie Whittle, Austin Fithall and Tyler McLeod will test the Eagles.
Brad Wilson will play a key role in the ruck against Chris Howgate, while onballers Caleb Argus, Jordan Formosa and Logan Dixon are others the Maroons will want to win plenty of contests.
The defence has the running power of Mitch Hocking and Caleb Sanders.
Calivil United has the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Marong 337 per cent, 8 points; Mitiamo 271, 8; Inglewood 160, 8; Pyramid Hill 141, 4; Bears Lagoon Serpentine 59, 4; Calivil United 82, 0; Newbridge 60, 0; Bridgewater 51, 0; Maiden Gully YCW 37, 0.
Written by Nathan Dole.
