BACK refreshed from the mid-season break? Loddon Valley clubs on Saturday will unveil their approach to the last eight home and away encounters and a hopeful spot in the finals.

The round has three matches that will influence who and how some clubs get to be part of the action in just over two months.

Bears Lagoon Serpentine is in a battle with Inglewood for the coveted third spot. The Blues took honours in the opening round of the season.

Inglewood has continued to improve, it’s midfield showing dash, youngsters

AFL pleaded with us to stay, say Panthers

A YEAR after putting a halt to talks to join the Heathcote league, Marong last Friday confirmed it’s on the prowl again.

Marong seniors have been undefeated in the last 22 games, the current longest winning streak in Victoria, and informed supporters of the move on Friday night, nine hours after the story broke online in the Loddon Herald.

President Danny Tyler told the Loddon Herald the club aborted last year’s application to join Heathcote after talks with AFL Central Victoria. He said AFLCV pleaded with the Panthers to stay in Loddon Valley and be part of the new AFLCV under 18 competition.

“They pleaded with us to give them 12 months to get the under 18s up to a good level and if at the end of 12 months it was not better, they would let us move,” Tyler said.

the spirit of country football. “If you don’t have those kids, you also don’t have water boys and boundary umpires for the reserves or seniors,” he said.

He said the AFL under 18 competition had shown Loddon Valley clubs were committed for the future.

Tuohey agrees and says that under age football will continue to be available for local clubs.

“Our Loddon Valley junior clubs have a great spread of ages in the AFL Central Victoria competition,” he said.

“Country football is about participation. Over the last two years we have had a number of lads still playing junior football while being selected in the seniors.

“These clubs are fair dinkum

Nevins and Wendels playing with maturity beyond their years and McGaw, Dorevith and Polack at times setting the goal square alight with energy.

Serpentine has been a paradox, struggling against some lower ladder sides although injury omissions have not helped team stablity. Heading back towards strength, Serpentine will ensure a tight tussle.

Bridgewater’s rebuild is focusing on younger players - Wood has been the standout so far.

But there’s an air of improvement surrounding Mitiamo and if the Roos can

In Front Of Goal

16 - (2) - Zach Alford - Pyramid Hill

16 - (0) - Jay Reynolds - Mitiamo 15 - (1) - Jack McCaig - Marong 15 - (1) - Keelan Payne - Inglewood 15

32 - (7) - Rowan Pollock - Pyramid Hill 23 - (0) - Bradley Matthews - Marong

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- Inglewood

- about their local future and that’s not to be sneezed at.” contain the Mean Machine’s forwards, don’t be surprised if there’s an upset.

Tuohey also wants the competition, whether retained by AFL Central Victoria or returned to the Loddon Valley league, to be renamed.

“Let’s call it youth grade, remove the stigma that it’s under 18 and broaden participation,” Tuohey said.

The push by Marong and Maiden Gully to change leagues in 2024, has not diminished the resolve of Loddon clubs to keep the country game alive.

They say the resolve of 2023 might now be the solution at junior and senior level.

“Getting as many kids to play as possible is going to help clubs,” said Hartley.

And for final ladder speculation, this is where Calivil comes into play. The Demons are showing steady development and if they can reverse the opening round result with a win over Newbridge, will still be in contention to sneak into the five.

Newbridge is at home for the first time but has been disappointing in recent weeks. The Demons might just fire.

THIS

17 Newbridge v Calivil Bears Lagoon Serpentine v Inglewood

“The product is no better than what we had with Loddon Valley running it,” Tyler said of this season’s AFLCV 18 under competition. Tyler said the Panthers had more than 300 junior footballers and netballers and under 18 footballers had been restless after huge wins against Bridgewater, Pyramid Hill, Inglewood and East Loddon Rams this season and there was the risk of those players continuing their football pathways at other clubs.

“That shocked us into gear,” Tyler said. “At this stage we have to be a little self-centred and worried about our own future.

“We are basically trying to provide the best product for our group of youngsters moving forward.”

Tyler said Heathcote offered a better model for its junior footallers.

Tyler said the club had not been in discussions with the major Bendigo league about a move. “We don’t want to lose the country club feel and community.”