hands behind reality check

Inglewood this season. Inglewood was without the Polack brothers, Ingram, McGaw and Nevins - all regularly in the Blues’ best this season - and lost key midfielder Dovovitch with an ankle injury early in the game.

But in the end it was Mitiamo who had greater hunger for the ball, powering on from a slender five-point lead at the first break.

The Superoos also had a better setup around the ground to expose for the first time this season the still developing depth at Inglewood.

They also handled the weather better. While not a lot of rain at Inglewood when it fell, it was horizontal.

Blues’ coach Darrell Billett has praised Mitiamo for their superb performance and improvement in the second half of the season.

“We didn’t read the conditions, Miti did and that showed on the scoreboard,” Billett said. “The result showed that our greater depth is not quite what I thought it was.”

Inglewood is expected to regain six players for this weekend.

Brief lapse goals

TWO quick Anthony Dennis-inspired goals gave Calivil a brief moment of momentum in the final term against Bears Lagoon Serpentine.

Coach Dennis kicked one and then set up the score by Jake Lawry before the Bears resumed their steamroller game plan to win by 100 points.

Justin Laird and Zass each kicked four for the Bears and Andrew Gladman three in a dominant display by the visitors. Zass’s goal late in the final term came after he marked a well-placed chip kick from Bailey Harrison.

Aidan Brohm was in control in the ruck and for the fourth game in succession named the Bears’ best while Laird and Charlie Gadsden were also key.

Bragging rights to shape top five go on the line

BACK in April it was unconceivable Newbridge and Mitiamo would be playing in a top billing Loddon Valley match.

But after recent form surges, Saturday’s clash between the Maroons and Superoos will almost overshadow other matches.

The winner will emerge with bragging rights - the club with little or no chance of making the finals with the capacity to shape where top five sides finish on the ladder.

SENIORS

Both starred last Saturday. The Superoos claimed a massive turnaround against Inglewood.

In fact, the record shows in recent weeks that the Mitiamo outfit has improved 15 goals.

Reynolds, Clohesy and Lougoon are a pretty experienced trio and they should give the Superoos an edge against an also-improving Newbridge.

Pyramid Hill has been shattered by injuries and availability but the experience

In Front Of Goal

81 - (4) - Brandyn Grenfell - Marong

42 - (2) - Kain Robins - Marong

39 - (0) - Joshua Martyn - Bridgewater

35 - (6) - Ryley Taylor - Marong

34 - (0) - Matthew Riordan - Marong

30 - (0) - Charlie McGaw - Inglewood

29 - (3) - Andrew Gladman - BL Serpentine

27 - (4) - Justin Laird - BL Serpentine

26 - (9) - jay reynolds - Mitiamo

24 - (0) - Bailey George - Pyramid Hill

SENIORS

GOALS - Inglewood: B. Cauchi, F. Payne, K. Payne, T. Kennedy, C. Wright. Mitiamo: J. Reynolds 9, A. Cussen 2, T. Rasmussen, D. Thomas, S. Wright, R. Turner.

Calivil 2.1 3.4 4.5 8.5 (53) BL Serpentine 5.5 11.10 18.15 23.15 (153)

GOALS - Calivil: J. Lawry, M. Avard 2, K. Newton, L. Brook, B. Baker, A. Dennis. Bears Lagoon Serpentine: J. Laird, K. Zass 4, A. Gladman 3, J. Rippingale, N. Kemp, J. Bailey, H. Gadsden 2, L. Mott, C. Draper, B. Harrison, J. Addlem.

BEST - Calivil: C. Thompson, M. Avard, L. Brook, E. Ritchie, T. Martin, H. Wall. Bears Lagoon Serpentine: A. Brohm, J. Laird, C. Gadsden, L. Mott, B. Harrison, H. Gadsden.

Newbridge

1.4 4.6 6.8 10.10

GOALS - Newbridge: A. Fortune 3, C. Dixon 2, A. Fithall, C. Sanders, A. Mayo, J. Murray, S. Gale. Bridgewater: L. Cohen 2, T. Estrada, N. Naughton, B. Derrick, J. Green, B. Stepien, D. Wood.

22 - (0) - Zach Alford - Pyramid Hill 20 - (1) - Jack McCaig - Marong

20 - (1) - Keelan Payne - Inglewood

RESERVES

43 - (0) - Rowan Pollock - Pyramid Hill

32 - (1) - Bradley Matthews - Marong

20 - (0) - Clay Anstee - BL Serpentine

20 - (1) - Kyle Simpson - Inglewood

18 - (3) - Joel Pianto - Mitiamo Reserves of the Bulldogs should prove too much for Bridgewater in what will likely be an animated clash.

Inglewood will be strengthened with the return of several key players who had been consistently in the Blues’ best until unavailable last week. Bruised by Mitiamo, the Blues should bounce back against Maiden Gully.

The final match of the round has Marong at home to Calivil. The Panthers will be challenged for a few moments.

This Saturday

LODDON HERALD TIPS

Bridgewater v Pyramid Hill

Newbridge v Mitiamo

Maiden Gully v Inglewood Marong v Calivil

Pyramid Hill 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.4 (4) Marong 4.3 10.6 13.8 19.10

(124)

Marong 12 12 0 1933 315 613.65 48 Pyramid Hill 11 9 2 1163 718 161.98 36 BL Serpentine 12 9 3 1198 917 130.64 36 Inglewood 12 6 6 1081 1080 100.09 24 Bridgewater 12 6 6 791 857 92.30 24 Mitiamo 11 3 8 662 1210 54.71 12 Newbridge 12 3 9 573 1283 44.66 12 Calivil 11 2 9 604 1078 56.03 8 Maiden Gully 11 2 9 504 1051 47.95 8 RESERVES Inglewood 2.3 3.5 4.6 6.10 (46) Mitiamo 3.2 4.5 8.5 8.8 (56)

BEST

C. Williams.

- Inglewood: J. Mills, M. Jeffrey, E. Wright, K. Healey, J. Sleep, M. Hunt. Mitiamo: A. McKean, M. Watson, M. Galvin, J. Rawlings, J. Watt,

Marong

1.3 1.3 1.4

3.3 5.4 9.6 11.7

GOALS - Pyramid Hill: P. Walker. Marong: T. Thach 3, R. Hender, G. Dowler 2, B. Matthews, A. Collins, N. McCaig, J. Evenden.

Bridgewater

0.0 0.1 1.5 2.8 (20)

Marong 12 12 0 1371 264 519.32 48 BL Serpentine 12 10 2 712 555 128.29 40 Pyramid Hill 11 7 4 825 524 157.44 28 Inglewood 12 5 7 758 651 116.44 20 Newbridge 12 5 7 696 654 106.42 20 Maiden Gully 11 5 6 521 688 75.73 20 Mitiamo 11 3 8 491 703 69.84 12 Bridgewater 12 3 9 414 838 49.40 12 Calivil 11 2 9 264 1175 22.47 8