MACORNA will be striving to halt Bridgewater’s attacking style in Saturday’s play to complete round nine in Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL senior footy.
The Tigers have home-ground advantage in Macorna as they tackle the ladder-leading Mean Machine.
In it’s debut season in the Loddon Valley, Macorna has achieved a win-loss tally of four-four and is fifth in the premiership race.
Huge challenge for the Tigers midfield and defence against an opponent which is seven-one and has plenty of goalkicking options.
Key match-ups for Macorna in defence include coach Fergus Payne up against Bridgewater coach and gun goalkicker Lachie Sharp; Toby Whinfield opposed to Tyler Estrada, and Reegan O’Rourke against Harry Conway.
In midfield Macorna has Tom Ebbage, Seb Erharter and Cooper Carmichael to take on Tyson Taylor, Charlie Gibson and Darcy Wood.
Key targets in the Tigers’ attack are Dimitri Fasoulis, Hunter Anset and Cooper Lacy.
A strong Bridgewater defence is led by Josh Martyn, James Naughton and Jacob Ellings.
Stung by a 70-point loss to Inglewood last round, Newbridge is back on its turf at Deepcore Drilling Riverside Oval to take on Pyramid Hill.
The Jayden Cordy-coached Newbridge had marked four wins in a row, but the past two hit-outs ended in defeat to Marong, away, and Inglewood, home.
Newbridge’s task does not become easier against the third-placed Pyramid Hill.
Key match-ups for Newbridge include Jackson Hufer at full-back against Jhye Baddeley-Kelly, and James Blood opposed to Bulldogs’ centre half-forward Jake Brand.
Another key battle will be in the centre where Jayden Cordy takes on Zach Alford.
The Maroons have the run of Jackson Eadon and Declan Campbell from the wings against Bulldogs’ coach Jarrod Fitzpatrick and Gavin James.
Newbridge named Jon Coe in attack and also has Caleb Sanders and Kobe Friswell in the forward 50m arc.
The Bulldogs’ defence is led by Dylan Morison, Mitch Gunther and Lachie Nicholson.
Huge role for Newbridge rover Max Edwards against the in-form James Sala.
Marong is back home at Jackal Oval in Malone Park to play Mitiamo.
The James Flaherty-coached Marong will be wary of an opponent which achieved a long-awaited victory last round.
Key players for the Panthers include Michael Bradbury, David Johnstone, Shaun Knott, Noah McCaig, Ryley Taylor and Richard Tibbett.
The Luke Lougoon-coached Mitiamo teamed superbly to win the Indigenous Round match against Bears Lagoon-Serpentine by six goals.
Best for the Superoos on their ground at John Forbes Oval were Luke Lougoon, Zach Morrison, Ryan Clark, Jordan Baldock, Seth Wright and Lenny Cook.
Mitiamo’s squad includes Zach Cruse, Ryan Duncan, Bryce Laird and Joey Mizzi.
It’s the Demons against the Eagles as Calivil United hosts Maiden Gully YCW.
The Sam Maher-coached Calivil United has not won since a 10-point triumph at Mitiamo in round one.
Key players for the Demons include Kade Blow, Sam Green, Jack Maher, Tommi Raukola, Cody Thompson and Zac Tickell.
The Eagles are on the rebound from a 57-point loss to Marong in Indigenous Round.
Best for the Shawn Filo and Angus Monfries-coached Eagles against the Panthers were Daniel Russell, Mitch Hill, Tye Bedford and Anthony Robins.
Maiden Gully YCW’s squad includes Mitch Whitham, Josh Worsley, Stacy Fiske and Todd Delahey.
Round nine kicked off last Saturday with the stand-alone match between Inglewood and Bears Lagoon-Serpentine.
It was a huge day for Inglewood FNC as it celebrated its 150th anniversary and unveiled its Hall of Fame.
On field the Jackson Hood-coached Blues beat the Bears by 42 points at Inglewood’s Centre State Scaffolding Oval.
Loddon Valley FNL senior footy ladder:
Bridgewater 187 per cent, 28 points; Marong 180, 28; Pyramid Hill 170, 28; Inglewood 142, 24; Macorna 102, 16; Newbridge 84, 16; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 79, 8; Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 75, 8; Mitiamo 56, 4; Calivil United 39, 4.
Leaders in the goalkicking race:
44 Jhye Baddeley-Kelly, PH; Lachie Sharp, B.
29 Dimitri Fasoulis, Mac.
27 Cooper Hale, Mar.
22 Farran Priest, BLS.
16 Mischa Fraillon, I; Oscar McKinley, B; Caleb Sanders, N.
15 Seth Wright, Miti.
14 Zach Alford, PH; Brandon Dimech, N; Bregon Cotchett, I; Brad Matthews, Mar.
13 Mitch Pickering, I.
12 Seb Erharter, Mac.; Tyler James, MGYCW; Bryce Laird, Miti.; Noah McCaig, Mar.
In the netball action……NEWBRIDGE and Pyramid Hill meet in Saturday’s match of the day to complete round nine of A-grade netball in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL season.
The Maroons and Bulldogs will play at Deepcore Drilling Oval in Newbridge’s Riverside Park from 3pm.
It’s second against fifth in the premiership race.
Both teams take winning form into this contest.
The Hayley Martiniello-coached Newbridge is on a four-game winning streak.
Since a three-goal loss at home to Calivil United in round four, Newbridge has won at Macorna, beat Bears Lagoon-Serpentine at Riverside, won in Marong, and beat Inglewood at home.
The Maroons are second on the ladder.
Pyramid Hill won its latest clash on its Mitchell Park court against Macorna by 35 goals.
A Bulldogs’ team coached by Chelsea Emmerson, Amber Dingwall and Darci Tierney is on a five-three record and under pressure from Marong to hold its place in the top five.
First of the A-grade matches on Saturday will be at 2pm when Marong plays Mitiamo at Jackal Oval in Marong’s Malone Park.
Massive test for Marong against an unbeaten Mitiamo team which is chasing a premiership hat-trick.
The Bridget Willox and Bianca Garton-coached Marong won its latest match on the Maiden Gully YCW Eagles’ court at Marist College Oval by 21 goals.
Huge test for the Panthers’ defence against the Jen Wilson-coached Superoos who have passed the 60-goal mark in all eight wins.
Macorna’s back on its court at Macorna Recreation Reserve to take on Bridgewater.
The Brooke Allison-coached Macorna Tigers go in as underdog against their fourth-placed opponent.
In the eighth round Macorna was beaten in Pyramid Hill as Bridgewater scored a 30-goal win at home against Calivil United.
Win this match and the Carly Wild and Lou Dupuy-coached Mean Machine will reclaim third place from Inglewood.
It’s the Demons against the Eagles as Calivil United hosts Maiden Gully YCW at Calivil Recreation Reserve.
The Annie Blow and Alex Ingram-coached Calivil United is seventh in the title race on a three-five record.
The Demons face an opponent which has netted one victory so far.
An Eagles’ team coached by Christie Griffiths was up against Marong last round.
It’s a rest for Inglewood and Bears Lagoon-Serpentine who played in a stand-alone match to tip-off round nine last Saturday.
The Dani O’Toole-coached Inglewood outplayed the Bears, 57-42, on a day the Blues celebrated the clubs 150th anniversary.
Standings in the Loddon Valley FNL A-grade netball competition after first week in split ninth round:
Mitiamo 196 per cent, 32 per cent; Newbridge 117, 24; Inglewood 103, 24; Bridgewater 143, 20; Pyramid Hill 116, 20; Marong 107, 20; Calivil United 81, 12; Bears-Lagoon Serpentine 64, 8; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 60, 4; Macorna 55, 0.
Loddon Valley FNL netball ladders after first week in split ninth round:
A-reserve:
Bridgewater 210 per cent, 32 points; Marong 157, 26; Newbridge 156, 24; Calivil United 112, 22; Pyramid Hill 107, 18; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 91, 14; Mitiamo 79, 12; Inglewood 81, 8; Macorna 47, 4; Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 36, 4.
B-grade:
Newbridge 237 per cent, 32 points; Bridgewater 150, 28; Calivil United 108, 20; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 105, 20; Inglewood 103, 20; Marong 87, 14; Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 86, 14; Pyramid Hill 89, 8; Macorna 85, 8; Mitiamo 36, 0.
B-reserve:
Bridgewater 190 per cent, 32 points; Inglewood 117, 28; Newbridge 144, 24; Marong 128, 20; Calivil United 115, 20; Pyramid Hill 110, 12; Mitiamo 97, 12; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 82, 12; Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 52, 4; Macorna 33, 0.
17-and-under:
Calivil United 422 per cent, 32 points; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 214, 32; Mitiamo 118, 24; Pyramid Hill 108, 20; Bridgewater 92, 16; Marong 87, 16; Macorna 49, 8; Inglewood 41, 8; Newbridge 31, 8.
15-and-under:
Newbridge 368 per cent, 32 points; Calivil United 584, 28; Marong 243, 24; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 213, 24; Bridgewater 86, 16; Mitiamo 45, 12; Pyramid Hill 41, 8; Inglewood 37, 8; Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 22, 8; Macorna 31, 4.
13-and-under:
Calivil United 1319 per cent, 32 points; Maiden Gully YCW Eagles 466, 32; Mitiamo 180 24; Newbridge 136, 20; Marong 109, 20; Inglewood 62, 12; Bridgewater 62, 12; Pyramid Hill 29, 8; Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 19, 4; Macorna 11, 0.