Marong holds off YCW in LVFL thriller

Marong 10.9 (69) d YCW 9.12 (66).

MARONG kept its Loddon Valley Football League finals hopes alive on Saturday with a thrilling three-point win over YCW at Backhaus Oval.

The Panthers kicked just four goals after quarter-time, but had earlier established a 28-point lead at the first change that was too big for the Eagles to reel in.

Marong’s 10.9 (69) to 9.12 (66) victory not only ended the Panthers’ five-game losing streak, but moved them back within one game of the top five with two rounds to play.

“The boys played really well in the first quarter. We spoke before the game about going out there and showing intent early, which we did,” said Marong coach Corey Gregg, who coached from the sidelines after serving a one-match suspension.

“YCW fought back really hard, but we didn’t help ourselves with some of our skills and decision-making, which really let us down, especially in some crunch moments late in the game.

“But we were able to hold them off in the end and get the win, which is obviously a big relief.”

One of the telling moves from the Panthers in the last quarter as the Eagles charged home with the breeze was to drop ruckman Richard Tibbett back into the defensive 50.

“Tibby made a real difference in that last quarter and took some telling marks to stop a bit of their momentum,” Gregg said.

“He really stood up for us as captain and it’s just good to see a smile back on the boys’ faces because they have been working hard trying to get the results going our way.

“As scrappy as it was and as bad as we played at times, four points are four points and we’ll take them.”

Corbin Fleming and Ben Gregg each kicked three goals for the Panthers, whose best players included Tibbett, midfielder Zac Turnbull, backmen Jacob Ede, Josh Griffin and Matt Frecker and the experienced Brett Rogers.

Turnbull earned high praise from Gregg for his performance not only on Saturday, but for his season.

“With Craig Morris going out of the side with injury in round one, he has really established himself as a grunt midfielder and he just keeps getting better,” Gregg said.

The victory was the eighth-consecutive time the Panthers – who are now 6-8 – have defeated YCW.

Corey O’Brien and Toby Brook were the multiple goalkickers for the Eagles, who outscored the Panthers 7.12 to 4.5 after quarter-time.

The best for the Eagles were led by Ryan Walker, the consistent Mitch Collins, veteran Steve Turner and Jordan Crisp.

Pyramid Hill 20.20 (140) d Bears Lagoon-Serpentine 11.11 (77).

PYRAMID Hill flew out of the blocks to set up its 63-point win over Bears Lagoon-Serpentine in what’s a likely LVFL qualifying final preview.

In what was a clash of second versus third, the Bears proved no match for the Bulldogs, who cruised to a 20.20 (140) to 11.11 (77) win at Serpentine.

The Bears were at their best in the first half when they raced to a 32-point lead at quarter-time, before extending it to 40 at half-time, 14.7 to 8.3.

Pyramid Hill’s half-time total of 91 was already 12 points more than the average score of 79 the Bears had been conceding per game.

“It was a good four-quarter and team effort from the boys today,” said Pyramid Hill coach Paul Grayling, who sat the match out with back tightness.

“We made a focus of starting well and we did that. We took the game on, had a lot of fast movement of the footy and everyone did what was asked of them.

“They had a few out, so we’re not getting too carried away with it, but if we can continue to play that brand of footy then we think we’re a chance against any side.”

The Bulldogs had plenty of attacking options with six multiple goalkickers – Jaryd Wishart (four), Fabian Brancatisano (three), Liam Bartels (three), Balraj Singh (three), Danko Bzenic (two) and Jake Anderson (two).

In his return to the side, Michael Callinan, Bryden Morison, Bzenic and consistent backman Dylan Morison were the best for the Bulldogs, while Grayling was also pleased with the run-with role of Bradley Driscoll on Shaun Monohan (two goals).

The Bears – who kicked five of their 11 goals in the second quarter - named Brad Davis, Jye Sandiford and Gareth Bowes their best players.

Forward Mathew Davidson kicked three goals.

Bridgewater 23.14 (152) d Calivil United 9.6 (60).

BRIDGEWATER coach Andrew Collins kicked the biggest bag of goals in the LVFL this season with his haul of nine against Calivil United.

Collins’ nine goals helped Bridgewater to a comfortable 92-point win over the Demons at home, 23.14 (152) to 9.6 (60)..

The victory was Bridgewater’s 10th in a row, with the Mean Machine now on a double digit winning streak for the fourth time since its reign of dominance began in 2010.

The Mean Machine led by 27 points at half-time, before adding 14 goals to four after the main break.

“It was a bit of an arm-wrestle in the first half, but we were able to break the game open in the second half. It was fairly windy today, but I thought we were able to use the ball really well, which was pleasing,” Collins said.

Collins, Marc Lindsay (four goals) and Zeb Broadbent were Bridgewater’s best, while ruckman Chris Down and Ben Knight (three goals) played well for the Demons.

Bridgewater’s win came on the back of an emotional week for the club following the death of Mean Machine stalwart Allan Bunnett, who Collins described as someone who “put in a lot and didn’t expect anything back”.

Newbridge 13.21 (99) d Inglewood 6.7 (43).

AN inaccurate Newbridge cruised to its fifth win of the season, defeating Inglewood by 56 points.

The Maroons kept the Blues scoreless in the second quarter on the way to their 13.21 (99) to 6.7 (43) win at Inglewood.

Rhys Ford, Justin McEwan, Josh White and Billy Price all kicked two goals apiece for the Maroons.

Price earned best on ground honours for Newbridge, with other strong performers in the win – the Maroons’ 10th in a row over Inglewood – including Ashley Grant, Jordan Gilboy and Nathan Bacon.

The loss extended Inglewood’s losing streak to 12 in a row. Darcy Crapper played a lone hand up forward, kicking four of Inglewood’s six goals to be the Blues’ best.