PYRAMID Hill is the only unbeaten team in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League after Saturday’s stunning victory in the senior footy clash on Marong’s turf.
The Bulldogs played inspired football at Malone Park to score an 87-75 victory and claim the Michael Herrick Memorial Trophy.
Marong led 25-13 at quarter-time, but the Bulldogs unleashed a seven-goal blitz in the second to lead 58-33 by the long break.
The Panthers struck back to win the third and fourth terms by margins of nine and four points, but it was the Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Pyramid Hill which chalked up a third victory in a 13.9 (87) to 11.9 (75) result.
Braidy and Ryley Dickens led the Bulldogs’ attack on five and three goals as Steven Gunther chipped in with two.
Superb defence and midfield pressure played a big part in limiting opportunities for the highly-rated attack in the Linton Jacobs-coached Marong team.
Richard Tibbett was Marong’s leading goalkicker on three as Brandyn Grenfell was held to just two majors.
Best afield honours went to Ryley Dickens as Braidy Dickens, Brad Ladson, Jake Willcocks, Zac Dingwall and Nathan Catherwood also starred for the team in red, white and blue.
Marong’s best were Richard Tibbett, Jimmy Gadsden, Ryley Taylor, Jack McCaig, David Johnstone and Corey Gregg.
It was a hard-fought contest at Calivil where the Demons led Mitiamo, 27-17 at half-time.
The Marcus McKern-coached Superoos lifted their play in the third to score 4.2 to just two points.
Although faced with a 14-point deficit at three-quarter time, Calivil United kept the pressure on and was rewarded with 3.1, but Miti added 2.2 to complete a 57-48 victory.
Jay Reynolds kicked two goals for Mitiamo as Calivil United gun recruit Jacob Greenwood racked up three goals.
Mitiamo’s best were Lee Dale, Ross Turner, Kyle Patten, Daniel Mowat, Ryan Wellington and Jackson Falls.
Demons’ coach Jack Daley led the way, along with Jacob Greenwood, Ben Baker, Corey Pearse, Evan Ritchie and Blair Richards.
Bridgewater marked an 87-59 victory on Bears Lagoon Serpentine’s turf at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.
The Rick Ladson-coached Bridgewater raced to a 34-4 lead at quarter-time, but BLS fought back to be within 10 points, 47-37 at half-time.
Multiple premiership player Darren Clutton was a key factor in the Machine’s run in the second half as James Naughton and Tyler Estrada won plenty of contests.
Full-forward Josh Martyn kicked a match-high four goals for the Mean Machine as Andy Collins chipped in with three.
The Bears’ attack was led by Harrison Gadsden and coach Justin Laird on two each.
Bridgewater’s best included Jack Symons, Callum Prest and Andy Collins.
The in-form Josh Walsh was again best for BLS, along with Charlie Gadsden, Justin Laird, Harrison Gadsden, Kalem Paxton and Zachary Stone.
Inglewood marked its third victory of the season as the Blues triumphed 79-54 on Newbridge’s ground at Holloway Air Riverside Park.
The Blues led 35-13 at quarter-time and 48-21 by the long break.
Newbridge hit back to win the second half, 33-31.
Matthew Rowe kicked three goals as Traiton Kendal and Alex Lowe added two each for the Darrell Billett-coached Blues.
Newbridge’s leading goalkickers were Chris Dixon, four, and Harry Whittle, two.
The Blues’ best were Campbell Love, Alex Lowe, Charlie Ingham, Luke Matheson, Thomas Alexander and Cody Wright.
Jack Clark, Caleb Sanders, Chris Dixon, Liam Nihill, Mitch Hocking and Corey Van Aken played well for the Luke Freeman-coached Maroons.
Maiden Gully YCW had the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Marong 188 per cent, 12 points; Mitiamo 152, 12; Pyramid Hill 146, 12; Inglewood 113, 12; Bridgewater 101, 8; Newbridge 77, 4; Bears Lagoon Serpentine 59, 4; Calivil United 82, 0; Maiden Gully YCW 46, 0.
In next Saturday’s fifth round, Inglewood tackles Mitiamo at Inglewood’s Dissy Machinery Oval.
Newbridge meets a Marong line-up on the rebound from defeat at Holloway Air Riverside Park in Newbridge.
Bridgewater hosts Calivil United, and Pyramid Hill takes on Maiden Gully YCW at Mitchell Park.
Bears Lagoon Serpentine has the bye.
Leading goalkickers:
19 Brandyn Grenfell, Mar.
12 Josh Martyn, B’water.
11 Andy Collins, B’water.
10 Jay Reynolds, Miti.; Kain Robins, Mar.
9 Jason Butty, MGYCW; Braidy Dickens, PH.
8 Traiton Kendal, I’wood; Adrian Pappin, Mar.; Harry Whittle, New.
7 Harrison Gadsden, BLS; Jacob Greenwood, CU; Justin Laird, BLS; Alex Lowe, I’wood; Lloyd Needs, B’water.
6 Chris Dixon, New.; Bailey George, PH; David Johnstone, Mar.; Rhonen Maher, BLS; Richard Tibbett, Mar.; Ryan Wellington, Miti.; Cody Wright, I’wood.
5 Ryley Dickens, PH; Jake Lawry, CU; Ryley Taylor, Mar.; Ross Turner, Miti.
4 Andrew Gladman, BLS; Bryden Morison, PH; Nathan Murley, MGYCW.
To add Inglewood goals from round one at Calivil.
Written by Nathan Dole.