Pups have early improvement

PYRAMID Hill’s trip to Maiden Gully saw the recently reformed Under 18s overrun by a physically stronger Inglewood combination, and a severely depleted reserves unit kept to its lowest score for the season.

On the flip-side, the seniors were able to put the clamps on hosts the Eagles, and build significantly on its percentage.

Playing their fourth game in a row was a significant achievement for the youngest of the Dogs teams, and with plenty of energy and endeavour over four terms, and led in excellent fashion by Xavier Emmerson, Lewis Stubbs and Blake Gibson, the boys showed they are definitely improving.

The reserves were undermanned and were able to post just three goals. A positive was the ability to keep the opposition to 7 goals and minimise the damage. Seventeen players took the field, and with no inter-change to fall back on, the result was stamped at the first change. Tom Walker, Jack Douch and Rylan Delamere certainly earned a hot shower by game’s end.

Ten scoring shots in the opening stanza saw the Bulldogs senior team exert early control and with the hosts posting just one goal in the first half, the game was well and truly decided, and as a spectacle, never reached any great heights in the second half. Ten individual goalkickers would have pleased the coach’s bench, and with six of those scoring multiple times, there is plenty to look forward to. A 100-plus victory was set up by Dylan Collis, Billy Micevski, Zac Dingwall, Jesse Sheahan and Bryden Morison.

- GEOFF HICKMOTT

CENTRAL VICTORIA UNDER 18s

Pyramid Hill (1 3) Inglewood (1 67) this Saturday could be goalfront accuracy and who can best string together a solid four quarters - neither have achieved the latter yet this season.

And Pyramid Hill has a few players running into super form. Collis and Micevski have shown they’re just warming up and will test the diversity of Inglewood’s improving midfield.

This should be a ripper match with the Bulldogs at home with the edge.

After breaking the ice last Saturday, Ant Dennis’ Calivil should aim for a follow-up victory on Saturday against Maiden Gully.

The Demons have a superior clearance across the midfield where Maiden Gully relies too heavily on Damien Wust to generate momentum.

The Eagles have lacked on-field discipline in the first seven rounds, something Calivil is working on and this could prove a real difference.

Bears Lagoon Serpentine is home for a second week, this time taking on Mitiamo.

The Bears have simply too much strength to be overly troubled by Mitiamo and should jump back into the top three after this round.

In the final match, last year’s grand finalists Bridgewater and Marong meet for the first time since September.

Marong won the flag by 94 points and there’s every reason a repeat margin is possible. Most interest will be at opposite ends so see how goal sneaks Grenfell and Martyn fare for the day.