MITIAMO has put itself in a strong position to finish on top of the Loddon Valley Football League ladder for the first time since 2003.The Superoos defeated Pyramid Hill by nine points at Mitiamo on Saturday to move to top spot after round 16, having gone into the match in third position.Mitiamo recovered from a 27-point deficit at half-time to win 13.8 (86) to 11.11 (77) and further enhance its premiership credentials.With the win, it’s the first time Mitiamo has sat on top of the ladder since round three, 2007.Pyramid Hill looked in control of the game at half-time when it led 9.7 to 5.4.However, the Superoos dominated the second half.The Superoos bridged the gap to eight points at three quarter-time, and then added 5.1 to 2.2 in the final term to run over the top of the Bulldogs.The best for the Superoos were Alex Chapman (three goals), Thomas Gill, Guy Orton (three goals) and Luke Mitchell.Having won 11 of its first 12 games, Pyramid Hill has now lost two in a row - the first time that has happened since rounds eight and nine of the 2007 season.The Bulldogs, who now sit third, were led by John Foskett, Dustin Craig, Tom White and Matthew Scott.In his first game for seven weeks, star Bulldogs’ midfielder David Fevaleaki kicked two goals.With Saturday’s result, Mitiamo - which has now beaten the Bulldogs twice this season - Calivil United and Pyramid Hill all have 11 wins apiece.However, the Superoos are two points clear as they also have a draw. Marong will enter its elimination final against Bridgewater in three weeks’ time knowing it has defeated the Mean Machine twice this season.The Panthers produced a strong last quarter against the breeze to defeat Bridgewater 12.12 (84) to 10.9 (69) at Bridgewater.Bridgewater looked to be in the box seat at three quarter-time, only trailing by one point and having the breeze in the final term.But the Panthers ran the game out strongly to prevail by 15 points, which followed their 45-point win against Bridgewater in round seven.“We had to dig really deep in the last quarter after they kicked a couple of goals,’’ said Marong coach Brett Rogers, who kicked three goals.“We were able to run the game out really well and fought it right out after it looked like it could have gone either way.’’The next time the two sides meet will be on August 16 in the elimination final, as neither can break into the top three, while they can’t be dislodged from the top five.“I think it was very important to win today, more so because we want to build some momentum going into the finals,’’ Rogers said.“And it looks like we will play Bridgewater in the elimination final, so it’s good that we have had two wins against them and know we can beat them.’’Rogers was the Panthers’ standout player, with other solid contributors being the versatile Luke Polglase, reigning Harding medallist Lee Franklin and back pocket Chris Tubb.Marong forward Chris Stone kicked five goals.The best for Bridgewater, which was again missing coach Kurt Ashman, were Reece Poyner (four goals), Ryan Catto, Luke Scoble and Nicholas Harris.A nine-goal haul from key forward Kristian Shevlin propelled Newbridge to a convincing 70-point win over YCW at Riverside Park.Having trailed by 15 points at quarter-time, the Maroons won 22.13 (145) to 12.3 (75) to register their seventh win of the season.The highlight of the Maroons’ win was a dominant third term in which they kicked 10 goals straight.With Shevlin’s nine goals, he now has 47 for the year.Along with Shevlin, other star performers for the Maroons included Brad Comer (four goals), Aidan Moore and Warren Policha.Mathew Waterson kicked six of YCW’s 12 goals to be the Eagles’ standout, while Adam Brown, Adrian Cronin and captain Joe McKern all battled hard.Inglewood won its third game of the season, with a 15.16 (106) to 11.7 (73) win over Bears Lagoon-Serpentine at Serpentine.The Blues led by 48 points at half-time, before the Bears produced a more competitive second half.Playing well in the Blues’ win were Kris Doran, Brett Wilson, Jason Connally and Trent Davey (seven goals).Adam Hutton, Simon Tuohey, James Gladman and Josh Hutton were among the Bears’ best.