MITIAMO coach Justin Maddern’s Loddon Valley Football-Netball League season will continue after he was cleared of any serious damage to his knee.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Maddern sent a major scare through the Superoos when he didn’t return to the field after half-time of last Saturday’s 25-point win over Newbridge.
Maddern landed awkwardly in a marking contest during the second term, telling the Bendigo Advertiser post game: “the knee jarred when I landed and twisted and cracked”.
But scans have revealed no serious damage to the star forward’s knee, with there a chance he could take to the field against Marong on Saturday.
“I’ve dodged a bullet… it’s basically just a hyper-extension with probably a little bit of cartilage damage,” Maddern said on Thursday.
“It has settled down well during the week, which is obviously really pleasing.
“At worst case I might just miss this week.
“I might have a bit of a trot around at training tonight to see how it is, but I won’t rush it or take any risks with it.
“I don’t like missing games of footy, but there’s obviously a big picture to worry about.”
Maddern has been one of the most dominant players in the LVFNL this season and a vital cog to the Superoos’ chances of dethroning power side Bridgewater.
In his first season as coach of the Superoos Maddern leads the LVFNL goalkicking with 76.
His nearest rival is Bridgewater’s Ben Galea, who is a distant 35 behind with his tally of 41.
Newbridge’s Sam Kennedy (32) is the only other LVFNL player to have kicked more than 30 goals heading into Saturday’s 16th round.
The Superoos sit second on the ladder with an 11-2 record, with their only two defeats to Bridgewater by 63 and 23 points.
While they have the double chance secured, their opponent on Saturday, Marong, is part of a three-way fight for the last two spots in the finals with Newbridge and Pyramid Hill.
Elsewhere in the LVFNL, it has been announced Pyramid Hill’s Mitchell Park is earmarked as the venue for this year’s grand final on Saturday, September 10.
Pyramid Hill hasn’t hosted an LVFL grand final since 2002.
It’s Pyramid Hill’s turn to host under the LVFNL’s rotation system, but it means the showcase day is being played at the furtherest venue from Bendigo, which is 87kms away.
Saturday’s round 16 LVFNL games: Calivil United v Newbridge, Inglewood v YCW, Mitiamo v Marong, Bears Lagoon-Serpentine v Pyramid Hill. Bridgewater bye.
