RELATED – WEEKEND FOOTBALL TEAMS
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RELATED – WEEKEND FOOTBALL PREVIEW, SELECTIONS
BRIDGEWATER coach Dale Cameron is expecting a similar response to what the Mean Machine showed against Inglewood earlier this year when it plays Marong in the Loddon Valley league on Saturday.
After suffering a round one loss to Mitiamo, the Mean Machine came out the following week and demolished Inglewood by 155 points.
Then came a 31-point win over Calivil United, but what has followed since is unfamiliar territory for Bridgewater – four losses in a row for the club that has played in the past eight grand finals.
The biggest of those string of losses came last week when the Mean Machine copped their heaviest hiding for 10 years – 84 points by Bears Lagoon-Serpentine.
“I’d expect a really strong response from the group tomorrow and something similar to when we bounced back earlier in the season against Inglewood,” Cameron said on Friday.
“The way they played that day coming off a loss was fantastic, but we haven’t been able to get a settled side since.
“We’ve regularly had five changes from week to week, but having said that, it’s not all doom and gloom.
“We’ve had passages where we’ve played some really good footy, but it’s just about getting that consistency back.”
Despite languishing with a 2-5 record, the Mean Machine are only one game outside the top five as the halfway mark of the season approaches.
The Panthers are also 2-5, making Saturday’s contest a high stakes clash for both sides in trying to keep in touch with the top five.
“Saturday is obviously really important… whoever loses could drop a couple of games out of the five, which then makes it tough going,” Cameron said.
“But we’ve had a few home truths during the week and we’re up for the challenge.”
A positive for the Mean Machine is captain and key forward Brad Rohde has been named after missing last week with a hamstring.
However, star on-baller Shaun Everington (hip) is out of the side.
• Saturday’s games – Calivil United v BL-Serpentine, Newbridge v Maiden Gully YCW, Inglewood v Mitiamo, Bridgewater v Marong. Pyramid Hill bye.
HEATHCOTE DISTRICT
The clash of arch-rivals North Bendigo and Leitchville-Gunbower at Atkins Street highlights the beginning of the second half of the Heathcote District league season on Saturday.
Both sides are again performing strongly, with the reigning premier Bombers (7-1) on top and Bulldogs (6-2) in third position, each with percentages above 200.
• Saturday’s games – Elmore v Colbinabbin, North Bendigo v Leitchville-Gunbower, LBU v Mount Pleasant, White Hills v Huntly. Heathcote bye.