VICTORIOUS by margins of 141 and 109 points in its first two games, Marong takes on Pyramid Hill in Saturday’s fourth round of the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League season.
The Panthers will be on home turf against the ladder-leading Bulldogs at Discover Marong Oval in Malone Park.
Third and first on the ladder, Marong and Pyramid Hill boast plenty of scoring power.
Marong’s attack includes 2006 Michelsen medallist Kain Robins who has kicked 12 goals in two games.
Robins was lured by former Eaglehawk clubmate Linton Jacobs, in his first year of senior coaching, to join Marong.
The Panthers have Callum Williamson, Will Gadsden, Adrian Pappin and Kyle Manley in great form.
The Marong defence led by Corbin Fleming and Aron Morrish will rely greatly on upfield pressure to limit the impact that Braidy Dickens, 23 goals, and Bailey George, 17 majors, have on the contest.
The Panthers will be without talented forward Dylan Cuttriss, hamstring.
Stars for Pyramid Hill, which is jointly coached by Adrian McErvale and Nathan Fitzpatrick, include Brad and Matt Ladson, Matt Pollock, Brad Driscoll and Mitch Cheesman.
The Bulldogs have brought in James Blood, Matt Klein-Breteler and Billy Micevski.
A strong line-up includes Michael Bateman, Gavin James, Bailey Goodwin and Dylan Morison.
Newbridge takes on Bridgewater at Simonds Homes Riverside Oval in Newbridge.
The Maroons worked hard all match at Mitiamo last round, but the Superoos surged clear in the second half to win by 13 goals at John Forbes Oval.
In-form players for Newbridge include Harry Whittle, Logan Dixon, Mitch Hocking and Jordan Anderson.
Ins for Newbridge are Caleb Argus, Josh Connolly and Hugh McGillivray.
A major blow is Mac Whittle being out.
The Maroons’ defence could be in for another tough couple of hours.
Bridgewater has Josh Martyn, Alex Powell, Lloyd Needs in hot form in attack.
The Mean Machine is bolstered by the return of former Richmond and Carlton player, and Bridgewater premiership-winning coach Andy Collins.
A list of six ins for Bridgewater was led by Collins and includes Boden Alexander, Zeb Broadbent, Jayden Donaldson, Nic Hall and Zane Hoiles.
After a six-goal haul last week, Darren Clutton is on the sidelines for this contest.
Players to watch for the Mean Machine include Caillum Brady, Tom Broadbent, Jarrod Fitzpatrick and Joseph Mayes.
Calivil United clashes with Mitiamo at 5 Star Stockfeeds Oval.
The Demons were goalless for the second time this season in last week’s match on Pyramid Hill’s turf at Mitchell Park.
Sam Green, Brady Childs, Leighton Coe and Jordan Lea played well for Calivil United.
A goal for the Demons will be to maintain a greater amount of pressure in every quarter.
There have been plenty of changes to Calivil United’s line-up.
Ins for the Demons are Tyler Beriman, Tom Dargaville, Zac Felmingham, Bailey Greenwood, Luke Hall, Jedd and Luke Thompson.
Mitiamo will be without the Downie brothers, Tyrone and Brent for this match.
Also out of the Superoos line-up are Lucas Matthews, Michael I’anson and Dylan Mutu.
Max Simpson, Braydan Riddell, Lee Dale, Doug Thomas and Lachlan Twigg are in.
Other key players for Mitiamo include Luke Lougoon, Tim Brooks, Matt Wiegard, Matt Grant, Kyle Patten and Lachlan Woodward.
After a bye, Bears Lagoon Serpentine takes on Inglewood at Serpentine.
The Bears kicked off the season with a 22-point loss at Mitiamo and then a 62-point defeat against Bridgewater at Serp.
Jesse Evans kicked three goals against Bridgewater as Nathan Twigg, Brodie Hawke, Darcy Poulter and Conor Hamilton were best.
The Bears will look for big games from the likes of Andy and Stephen Gladman, Jeremy Hancock and Dane Stone.
It’s been a tough start for the young Inglewood line-up.
The Darrell Billett-coached Blues will be keen to perform well.
In-form players for Inglewood include Taj Rodwell, Josh Taig, Connor Logan, Tom Alexander, Tynan Hywood and Nathan Wallace.
The experience of Kris Doran in defence is crucial for the Blues.
Inglewood has brought in Connor Filcock, Jackson Fitzgerald, Aaron Lister and Lachlan Nemet.
Maiden Gully YCW Eagles has the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Pyramid Hill 636 per cent, 12 points; Mitiamo 417, 12; Marong 652, 8; Bridgewater 392, 8; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 147, 8; Bears Lagoon Serpentine 58, 0; Newbridge 30, 0; Calivil United 9, 0; Inglewood 8, 0.
Written by Nathan Dole