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Bears-Lagoon Serpentine’s brilliant start to the LVFNL season continued on Saturday when it held off Pyramid Hill at Mitchell Park.
After not winning a game in 2016, the Bears are three wins from as many games in 2017 and have stamped themselves as genuine finals contender.
Saturday’s 11.13 (79) to 9.8 (62) win over Pyramid Hill was built around a six-goal to one first quarter.
“We won the ball well out of the middle in the first quarter and took advantage of it,’’ Bears’ coach Greg Gadsden said.
“Pyramid Hill fought back well and kept coming at us, but we did enough to stay in front.
“It was a tight game of footy… it wasn’t a flowing game of footy. It was a good result for us.”
Young defender Orion Crilly-Downing continued his outstanding start to the season for the Bears.
The teenager restricted Pyramid Hill star forward Joe McGrath to one goal.
“Orion is only 18 and he’s had three big jobs the first three games and he’s been terrific for us,’’ Gadsden said.
Midfielders Corey Ronchieri and Harry Gadsden were instrumental in the win.
“After last year we really weren’t sure how we’d go this year, but the boys are doing a terrific job,’’ Gadsden said.
“We’ve got good leg speed and the boys have a crack. Pyramid Hill probably had bigger bodies around the ball than us, but we used our leg speed and ran hard.
“We just have to keep working hard and get ready for a big challenge next week against Mitiamo.”
While the Bears prepare for a match of the round clash with the Superoos, Pyramid Hill will use the bye to re-launch their season.
The Bulldogs were widely tipped to challenge for a top three berth this year, but at 1-3 after four rounds they have a lot of work to do.
Co-coach Gavin James, Sam Kennedy and Ross James were the Bulldogs’ best players against the Bears.
Newbridge spoiled Maiden Gully YCW’s first home game at Marist College.
The Maroons jumped the Eagles early and had the game under control by three quarter-time when they lead by seven goals.
The Eagles kicked four unanswered goals in the last quarter to give the Maroons a fright, but the visitors steadied the ship and cruised to victory.
“To come away with a four or five goal win was pleasing,’’ Newbridge coach Matt Dillon said.
“We knew it was a big day for Maiden Gully and that they’d be keen to play well, so we wanted to stamp some authority early.
“I think we kicked the first four goals of the games and that set the tone for us.
“The margin was about six goals at half-time and we had a good third quarter as well.
“We had a couple of players go down in the final quarter and they (Maiden Gully) got a bit of momentum, but we’d done enough early in the game.”
Sam Kennedy kicked three goals for the Maroons, while ruckman Tyler Romeril and midfield duo Jordan Gilboy and Brad Comer were the standout players.
Dillon was impressed with the Eagles’ new home ground.
“It’s a big ground and the condition of the ground was beautiful, even with all the rain we had,’’ Dillon said.
“You can’t complain about playing on grounds like that.”
A six-goal to none third quarter was the catalyst for Mitiamo’s 49-point win over Marong.
Only nine points separated the two teams at the main break, but the Superoos showed their class in the third term piling on 6.3 to 0.1 to set up their 16.13 (109) to 9.6 (60) victory.
“In the first half we didn’t do the things that I know we can do really well,’’ Mitiamo coach Justin Maddern said.
“In the third we played some good, clean football and moved the ball the way we want to move it. We were able to break the game open.”
Straight kicking in front of goal also helped the Superoos.
After kicking 5.7 in the first half, the Superoos added 9.6 in the second half.
Maddern, who kicked 1.7 in the two-point loss to Bridgewater the previous round, kicked 4.6 against the Panthers.
Their leading goalkicker was half-forward Kyle Patten, who bagged five majors.
Queensland recruit Luke Scott showed his class with a best on ground performance.
“We’ve probably played Luke in a different position on the ground every week so far,’’ MAddern said.
“I feel sorry for him because we just keep throwing him around the ground where we need a spot filled.
“He played on the ball today and he looked very comfortable. Hopefully, going forward we can start settling him down in one spot.”
Terry Reeves continued his solid start to the season with a great game through the middle of the ground.
The Panthers, who remain winless after four rounds, were best served by Ricky Dudley, Justin Bateson and Jarrod Fitzpatrick.
Full-forward Matt Gilmore kicked five of Marong’s nine goals.
Reigning premier Bridgewater flexed its muscle with a 93-point thumping of Inglewood.
In a consistent performance, the Mean Machine kicked at least five goals in all four quarters on their way to a 24.12 (156) to 9.9 (63) victory.
Young midfielder Peter Rothacker showed his class with three goals in a best on ground performance.
Josh Metherell, Liam Jacques and Alex Collins kicked five goals each to be among the Mean Machine’s best players.
After dropping the opening game of the season to Bears-Lagoon Serpentine, the Mean Machine have won three games on the trot and they should stretch that streak to four next week against Maiden Gully YCW ahead of the round six clash with top side Calivil United.
Inglewood is on the bottom of the ladder with a 0-4 record.
The Blues only named three better players after the 15-goal hiding – Brandon Worner, Shane Harris and Ben Conley. Harris and Conley accounted for five of the Blues’ nine goals.