Spirited Maroons fall short against swooping Eagles

MAIDEN Gully held off a spirited Newbridge for a one-goal victory in Saturday’s sixth round of Loddon Valley footall.

The Sam-Gale coached Maroons had made the early running against Maiden Gully to have 14-point lead at the first break.

But the Eagles came back in the second and by the final change had scores locked at 7.8.

A tight final quarter had combatants in a real wrestle with the Eagles prevailing by a goal. The win lifted sixth on the ladder.

In the clash of one and two, Marong stated its intentions from the first quarter with an eight-goal onslaught against Bears Lagoon Serpentine.

Once again the Panthers showed no mercy and left the league’s most improved side this season having to fight for scoreboard respectability.

But the going was tough as Marong piled on another seven goals in the second term before being outscored by Serpentine in the third.

The Panthers put greater focus in their game in the final term to record victory by 73 points.

Brandyn Grenfell and Robins each kicked four goals while again, the Panthers had almost half the team scoring majors. Their multiple avenues to goal are making it difficult for opposing sides to achieve turnovers.

An inaccurate start did not diminish the scoreboard dominance of Bridgewater in the Mean Machine’s clash with Calivil.

Skipper Josh Martyn bagged another six goals in the 43-point win to retain his lead on the goalkicking table. Demons’ coach Ant Dennis and Jake Lawry each slotted two as Calivil won better across the centre.

The ladder after six rounds has little separating Newbridge, Mitiamo and Calivil after a torrid start to the season.

Early defining round arrives for top five aspirants

INGLEWOOD and Bears Lagoon Serpentine can widen the gap as they look to further cement their spots in the top five on Saturday.

Both are already a game clear of Maiden Gully and with the Eagles facing Pyramid Hill, can extend that by another four points on the ladder.

Inglewood is coming back from the bye after comprehensively accounting for Maiden Gully a fortnight ago.

Despite being wayward in front of goal, the Blues are stringing wins together thanks to the arrival of options in the form of the Polak brothers and a few other handy recruits.

Not to be over-shadowed, Inglewood’s youngsters Nevins and Wendels are also making their presence felt.

The confidence is growing and will be too much for Newbridge on Saturday.

Serpentine copped a bit of a bruising from Marong last Saturday - join the club, they might say - and faces Bridge- water. This will be another tough assignment for both clubs.

The Mean Machine has Josh Martyn in form up forward and how well he is nullified by Laird’s troops will be pivotal in what could be the tight result of the round.

Mitiamo has the chance for a second win but should not take Calivil too lightly. The Demons are edging close to a win.

Pyramid Hill will be too strong for Maiden Gully.

GOALS - Maiden Gully: B. Dimech, T. Miles 2, C. Walsh, R. Bacon, D. Wust, N. Murley, H. McCartney. Newbridge: S. Gale, C. Dixon 3, B. Harris, M. Giri. BEST Maiden Gully: C. Hale, J. McDonald, M. Crooks, B. Dimech, R. Bacon, G. Brown. Newbridge: D. Stevens, K. Gard, C. Dixon, J. Clark, A. Moore, A. Fortune.

GOALS - Bridgewater: J. Martyn 6, H. Donegan 2, B. Irvine, T. Estrada, D. Wood, J. Symons. Calivil: A. Dennis, J. Lawry 2, C. Thompson,. BEST - Bridgewater: H. Donegan, D. Wood, J. Martyn, T. Estrada, B. Irvine, J. Symons. Calivil: J. Hynes, C. Thompson, H. Miller, R. Lourie, B. Baker, W. Miller. Marong 8.2 12.7 15.13 20.14 (134) BL Serpentine 1.1

8.5 9.7 (61)

GOALS - Marong: B. Grenfell, K. Robins 4, N. Devanny, J. McCaig 3, R. Taylor, R. Tibbett, C. Gregg, M. Bradbury, K. Manley, J. Ede. Bears Lagoon Serpentine: H. Gadsden 3, J. Bailey, O. Downing 2, L. Mott, C. Gadsden.

BEST - Marong: K. Robins, R. Tibbett, N. Devanny, L. Lee, B. Grenfell, T. Fisher. Bears Lagoon Serpentine: H. Gadsden, K. Zass, A. Brohm, J. Taig, C. Gadsden, N. Kemp. Mitiamo 1.1 2.2 3.2 3.2 (20)

Hill 7.4 15.13 21.16 27.20 (182)

GOALS - Mitiamo: B. Baines, R. Turner, D. Walters. Pyramid Hill: S. Gunther, T. Brennan 4, D. Collis, B. George, Z. Alford 3, B. Carroll, M. Dingwall, W. Perryman 2, D. Goulding, M. Gunther, J. Sheahan, B. Morison. BEST - Mitiamo: R. Turner, L. Lougoon, D. Clohesy, K. Galvin, W. Draper, L. Hocking. Pyramid Hill: D. Collis, S. Gunther, Z. Alford, J. Sheahan, B. Carroll, B. Micevski.

Reserves

- Bridgewater: J. Roberts 2, H. Pidoto, D. Maher. Calivil: D. Masson 3, B. Pickles, J. Demeo, J. Bonanno, N. Vine, D. Howard, D. Ryan, N. Cartwright, T. Wakefield, C. Henson. BEST - Bridgewater: L. Harrison, D. Maher, J. Higgins, L. Maher, O. Horan. Calivil : N. Vine, J. Demeo, D. Masson, J. Bonanno, P. Hansford, J. Manderson.

GOALS - Marong: B. Matthews 7, C. Stacey 4, K. Newton, J. Cummins, R. Gretgrix, T. Grant, T. Thach 2, R. Hender, J. Evenden, C. Williamson. Bears Lagoon Serpentine: C. Anstee.

BEST - Marong: P. Gretgrix, C. Williamson, C. Thiesz, J. Cummins, B. Matthews, R. Gretgrix. Bears Lagoon Serpentine: M. Addlem, Z. Hollis, C. O’Shannessy, C. Davies, J. Gladman, A. Addlem.

Maiden Gully 1.2 4.3 7.6 7.6 (48) Newbridge 4.0 6.0 10.2 15.4 (94)

GOALS - Maiden Gully: C. Flood, J. Doolan 2, D. Lawry, D. Baldwin. Newbridge: B. Pearce 4, M. Kirley, A. Fithall 3, M. Van Poppel, N. Gray, R. Hipworth, J. Dawkins, S. Brynhildsen.

BEST Maiden Gully: W. Anderson, D. Baldwin, T. Hudson, C. Flood, W. Donaczy, R. Sarkady. Newbridge: B. Pearce, D. Whan, B. Butler, K. Bertuch, B. Etherington, M. Adams.

(42)

(64)

GOALS - Mitiamo: T. Fitzallen 2, C. Hoyling, C. Milne, J. Rawlings, K. Pentreath. Pyramid Hill: R. Pollock 5, C. Cooper, G. Quinn 2.

BEST - Mitiamo: C. Collins, A. Mckean, J. Rawlings, A. White, E. Hocking, C. Pearson. Pyramid Hill: T. Walker, R. Delamare, J. Carroll, N. Moon, M. Swiney, G. Quinn.