Pyramid Hill fires up for clash at Bridgewater
BEATEN by a point when it last tackled Bridgewater’s senior footy team, Pyramid Hill is on Bridgewater’s turf for Saturday’s opening round clash in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League’s 2022 season.
The Mean Machine and Bulldogs will do battle from 2.15pm.
After a premiership-winning run with Pyramid Hill’s under-18 team and assistant coach for the seniors in recent years, Nathan Fitzpatrick steps up to make his senior coaching debut.
Fitzpatrick will be up against Rick Ladson, a 2008 premiership-winning player with Hawthorn and premiership coach at Golden Square.
A brilliant on-field career for Ladson includes a premiership victory with Bridgewater where he returns as coach in ’22.
Last season, Bridgewater had a win-loss record of 10-2 and was third when the season was called off.
The Pyramid Hill Bulldogs were fourth on a 7-5 tally.
A Pyramid Hill attack led by Braidy Dickens and Bailey George will test Bridgewater.
It’s in the midfield where the Bulldogs will have to work hard to limit the forward 50m entries for Bridgewater and it’s formidable attack.
Key players for Pyramid Hill include Billy Micevski, Bryden and Dylan Morison, Steven Gunther, Gavin James and Scott Mann.
The premiers of 2019 and unbeaten when last season was called off, Mitiamo is on home soil at John Forbes Oval to take on Bears Lagoon Serpentine from 2.15pm.
These clubs met at the same venue for the first round of 2021 where Mitiamo won 73-50 after it led by a goal going into the final term.
Andrew Cussen and Ryan Wellington led Mitiamo’s attack on two goals each.
New coach of the Bears, Justin Laird booted three goals in last year’s clash at Mitiamo.
Off-field changes for the Superoos include Marcus McKern taking on the senior coaching role.
Mitiamo is likely to have too much run and skill through midfield and too many scoring options for the Bears to hold across four quarters.
It’s the Demons against the Blues as Calivil United meets Inglewood at Calivil Recreation Reserve from 2.15pm.
The July 31 showdown between these clubs last year ended in a 166-46 win for Calivil United as Jake Lawry kicked eight goals in a best afield performance and Ben Baker added six.
The Blues’ attack was led by Cody Stobaus on three.
There will be plenty of new faces for Calivil United line-up which lured Jack Daley from Huntly to be playing coach.
Inglewood coach Darrell Billett and his young squad has worked hard across pre-season to strengthen defensive play.
New players for the Blues include Charlie Ingham and Cody Wright in attack, Charlie McGaw on a wing, Bregon Cotchett in midfield, James Woods in defence, and Alex Lowe.
The play of Stobaus, Taj Rodwell, Jaxon Billett and Tarran Kilcullen will be a key to Inglewood’s chances.
The day’s play will be completed from 6pm when Maiden Gully YCW takes on Marong under the lights at Marist College Oval.
After a strong finish to last season where it was second on the ladder, the Linton Jacobs-coached Marong shapes as being a top contender for this year’s flag.
A powerful squad for the Panthers has key forwards Brandyn Grenfell and Kain Robins, and skilful small forward Cory Jacobs.
Newbridge has the bye this Saturday and takes on Mitiamo on April 9 at Holloway Air Riverside Oval in Newbridge.
Written by Nathan Dole.