MITIAMO will be fired up for Saturday’s round six match against Pyramid Hill in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League season.
It’s Community Umpiring Round and also the Pat Cronin Foundation Round across leagues in AFL Central Victoria’s region.
Umpires play a crucial part in the game, while the Pat Cronin Foundation has raised awareness about the “Coward Punch” and works toward stopping all forms of violence.
On the footy field, the Loddon Valley’s number one team of 2019 and ’21, Mitiamo is third in a race where Pyramid Hill and Marong have set the pace.
The Marcus McKern-coached Superoos will be aiming to make the most of home-ground advantage at John Forbes Oval to end the Bulldogs’ unbeaten run.
In round five, Mitiamo overcame a three quarter-time deficit to score a 101-96 victory at Inglewood’s Dissy Machinery Oval.
Pyramid Hill dominated its home game against Maiden Gully YCW Eagles at Mitchell Park to win by 179 points.
A key to Mitiamo’s chances will be stopping the Bulldogs’ run from half-back and through midfield.
Bailey George kicked 10 goals in the Dogs’ win against the Eagles.
The Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Pyramid Hill also showed it does not rely on Braidy Dickens to kick plenty of goals each week as he was goalless in a tally of 31.
Players to watch for the Bulldogs include Sebastian Relouw across half-forward, Scott Mann in attack or a wing, Billy Micevski, Ryley Dickens and Steven Gunther.
There is plenty of premiership-winning experience in the Mitiamo team.
Key players for the Superoos include Doug Thomas, Ross Turner, Luke Lougoon, Jack Vinnicombe and Jarryd Wiegard.
Jay Reynolds is a key target in attack, and the return of Ryan Wellington is a huge plus.
Another big match will be at Inglewood where the Blues take on Marong.
The Darrell Billett-coached Inglewood is fourth on the ladder and almost upset Mitiamo last round.
It’s another big test for the Blues against the second-placed Marong.
Inglewood’s best against the Superoos were Bregon Cotchett, Charlie Ingham and Nathan Angelino.
Other players to watch for the Blues are Cody Stobuas at full-back, Alex Lowe, Traiton Kendal in attack and Taj Rodwell.
The Inglewood defence will be up against one of the league’s most powerful attacks.
Panthers’ star Brandyn Grenfell kicked 11 goals in the win against Newbridge and leads the goalkicking race on 30.
Grenfell is rarely beaten in one-on-one contests.
Ryley Taylor has marked his return to Marong by being among the best most weeks.
Other key players for the Linton Jacobs-coached Marong include ruckman Justin Hynes, Ben and Corey Gregg, Nathan Devanny and Corbin Fleming.
Calivil United will be keen to show its win at Bridgwater was no fluke when it takes on Maiden Gully YCW in the Demons’ den at Calivil Recreation Reserve.
This match was originally scheduled for Raywood, but will be played at Calivil.
The Jack Daley-coached Calivil United carries momentum into this match after it scored 3.2 to 0.2 in the final term at Bridgewater to win 59-43.
Jacob Greenwood led the attack on three goals and will be a danger to the Eagles’ back six.
Other in-form players for the red and blue as it chases consecutive wins are Phil Ryan, Evan Ritchie and Ben Daley.
Maiden Gully YCW has endured a tough run.
The Eagles will be desperate to bounce back from a big loss on Pyramid Hill’s turf.
Best in the match against the Bulldogs were Mitchell Dean, Clinton Angove, Joel Dwyer, Hamish McCartney, Nathan Murley and Ed Crisp.
Eagles’ coach Wayne Mitrovic will line up at full-forward.
Gun ruckman Chris Howgate also returns in a huge plus for Maiden Gully YCW.
The Eagles will look for big games from the likes of Steve Turner, Hamish McCartney and Ryan Strauch in defence; Nathan Murley on a wing; and on-ballers Joel Dwyer and Jessi Lampi.
Freshened by the bye, Bears Lagoon Serpentine is on home turf at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve to play Newbridge.
Both teams have a 1-3 record.
In their latest hit-out, the Bears went down to Bridgewater by 28 points.
Josh Walsh starred from half-back as Charlie Gadsden, coach Justin Laird, and Harrison Gadsden led the way.
The BLS line-up will be determined to kick more goals.
The task will not be easy against the Luke Freeman-coached Newbridge which did finish within 25 points of Inglewood in round four, but was outplayed by Marong last Saturday.
The Maroons will look to Harry and Mackenzie Whittle, Mitch Hocking, Dylan Lloyd, Caleb Sanders and Chris Dixon to win plenty of the ball and capitalise on scoring chances.
Newbridge also has the run and skill of Caleb Argus and Tyler McLeod.
Bridgewater has the bye.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Pyramid Hill 236 per cent, 16 points; Marong 231, 16; Mitiamo 137, 16; Inglewood 108, 12; Bridgewater 96, 8; Calivil United 90, 4; Bears Lagoon Serpentine 59, 4; Newbridge 49, 4; Maiden Gully YCW 33, 0.
Leading goalkickers:
30 Brandyn Grenfell, Mar.
16 Bailey George, PH.
14 Josh Martyn, B’water; Jay Reynolds, Miti.
13 Andy Collins, B’water.
10 Jacob Greenwood, CU; Kain Robins, Mar.; Harry Whittle, New.
9 Jason Butty, MGYCW; Braidy Dickens, PH; Traiton Kendal, I’wood.
8 Lloyd Needs, B’water; Adrian Pappin, Mar.; Cody Wright, I’wood.
7 Chris Dixon, New.; Harrison Gadsden, BLS; Justin Laird, BLS; Alex Lowe, I’wood, Kyle Manley, Mar.; Charlie McGaw, I’wood; Lucas Matthews, Miti.; Ryley Taylor, Mar.; Richard Tibbett, Mar.
6 Steven Gunther, PH; David Johnstone, Mar.; Rhonen Maher, BLS; Billy Micevski, PH; Bryden Morison, PH; Carl Nicholson, Miti.; Ross Turner, Miti.; Ryan Wellington, Miti.
Written by Nathan Dole.