MITIAMO consolidated second spot on the Loddon Valley Football-Netball League ladder on Saturday with a 15-point victory over Marong.
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With both sides having gone into the match with 4-1 records, the Superoos emerged victorious 15.13 (103) to 13.10 (88) at Discover Marong Oval.
Bucking their trend of being scratchy in first halves, the Superoos made the early running to lead by 31 points at the main break, 11.6 to 6.5.
The Panthers rallied in the second half, kicking seven goals to four, but were unable to overhaul the half-time deficit as their four-game winning streak came to an end and they lost their position in the top three.
Mitiamo coach Justin Maddern was a thorn in the side of the Panthers, booting eight goals, with Marong using both Richard Tibbett and then Corbin Fleming to try to curtail the star forward.
Maddern now has 39 goals for the season – more than double that of his nearest rivals on the goalkicking table.
Onballer Terry Reeves, captain Dylan Clohesy in defence and ruckman Michael I’Anson, who pushed forward to kick three goals, were the best for the Superoos.
Marong was best served by forward Ryan Wellington (four goals) and midfielders Ben Gregg and Corey Gregg, who returned to the side from a groin injury.
“We played fairly well for the majority of the game, but just had a couple of lapses where we allowed them to bang on some quick goals,” Marong coach Damien Lock said.
“Playing catch-up against them was always going to be hard work, but we fought it out well.”
• Inglewood continues to take steps forward, achieving three feats for the first time since 2010 with its 62-point win over YCW at Backhaus Oval.
The Blues steamrolled the Eagles 16.5 (101) to 5.9 (39) and for the first time since 2010 have now won more than one game in a season.
The 62-point margin was the biggest win the Blues have had since 2010; and the victory was also their first over the Eagles since 2010.
The Blues won all four quarters, setting the foundation early when they led by 27 points at the first change.
“The boys played really well today… our run and carry, structures and accountability was really good and we made the most of our opportunities,” Blues assistant coach Mick Delaney said.
“We’re starting to make some strides, but as they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day, so it’s just a matter of continuing to persist and build.”
The best for the Blues was Craig Crichton, who played across half-back, but also got forward to slot three goals.
“Craig was super today with his run and carry,” Delaney said.
Onballer Jayden Kealey and centre half-back Leighton Driscoll were others to standout for the Blues, who lost Delaney (three goals) when he tore the hamstring off his bone during the second quarter.
YCW’s score of 5.9 was the Eagles’ third game in a row they have mustered just five goals.
Brayden Aitken, Jordan Crisp and Cohen Kekich (two goals) led the better players for YCW.
• Calivil United bounced back to the winner’s list with a 19-point victory over Newbridge at Karee Wool Riverside Oval.
Having lost their previous two games, the Demons kicked seven goals to four after half-time to win 14.8 (92) to 10.13 (73).
“It was one of those grinding wins; Newbridge had a real crack,” Demons coach Anthony Dennis said.
Telling in the final result was Calivil United’s superior accuracy, with the Maroons having had one more scoring shot.
“They missed a few chances that eased the pressure a bit,” Dennis said.
Recruit Matthew Magee continues to impress for the Demons at centre half-back and was their best player.
“He has been super for us and would be one of the recruits of the year in the league. He marks everything that comes his way and is just a smart footballer,” Dennis said.
Captain Ben Knight through the midfield and Nathan Ryan on a wing were also pivotal, while Glen Scholtes bagged four goals.
The Demons lost wingman Sam Green to a hamstring injury in the first term.
The electric Chris Dixon was a strong focal point for the Maroons, kicking six of their 10 goals, while Sam Liston (two goals) and Lachlan Ford also played well.
• Pyramid Hill moved into what has become a familiar position over the past decade – in the top three – after its 35-point win against Bears Lagoon-Serpentine at Mitchell Park.
The Bulldogs broke the game open in the second and third quarters when they kicked 10 goals to five to set up the 15.10 (100) to 10.5 (65) victory.
Pyramid Hill key forward Nathan Fitzpatrick was a handful for the Bears’ defence, bagging seven goals to be the Bulldogs’ best player.
Nick Dundon, Michael Dundon and Michael Callinan were others to play strong games for the Bulldogs in their third win in a row.
Nick Arthur and James Rippingale both kicked three goals each for the winless Bears, with the pair the two best for their side.
“It was another of those games where a couple of lapses cost us… they kicked six or seven goals to our none in about a 20-minute period across the second and third quarters,” Bears coach Greg Gadsden said.
“We’re certainly staying in games a lot longer than we were earlier in the year, so the consistency is getting better.
“Turnovers are still hurting us and there were a few that directly resulted in goals and you can’t afford to do that against good sides.
“The effort is there, we just need to be able to put it together for four quarters.”