Blues prepare for fight with Bears

IT’S fifth against sixth as Inglewood plays on Bears Lagoon-Serpentine’s ground in this Saturday’s eighth round of the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League’s senior footy ladder.

There’s plenty at stake as the Blues fight to move two wins clear of the Bears approaching the halfway mark of the season.

The Darrell Billett-coached Inglewood had the bye after a 131-point loss at home to Marong in round six.

A bonus for the Blues this week is not having to deal with the dominant Marong star Brandyn Grenfell who kicked 14 against them at Dissy Machinery Oval.

The Blues have sights on win number four and will look to Bregon Cotchett, Cody Stobaus, Charlie Ingham, Alex Lowe and Charlie McGaw to lead the way.

Goalkicking accuracy was a feature of the Bears’ play at Marong as it scored 10.0 to three quarter-time in a match where Andy Gladman kicked four goals and Charlie Gadsden, Kalem Paxton, Josh Walsh and coach Justin Laird were best.

Held to a goal at Pyramid Hill, Calivil United faces another massive challenge against the in-form Marong.

Limiting the supply to the Grenfell-led Panthers attack will be the key for the Jack Daley-coached Demons on the Calivil ground.

A powerful Marong line-up includes Corey Gregg, Nathan Devanny, Justin Hynes, and may regain Kain Robins from injury.

Pyramid Hill is back on Mitchell Park to take on Newbridge.

The unbeaten Bulldogs have Ryley Dickens, Gavin James, Jack Timmins and Steven Gunther in form.

Coach Nathan Fitzpatrick will be keen to see the team maintain its ruthless edge.

The Luke Freeman-coached Newbridge had Chris Dixon kick five goals as Logan Dixon, Harry Whittle and Tyler McLeod played well in the clash with Bridgewater.

A combined tally of 13 goals between Josh Martyn and Andy Collins helped Bridgewater to a 52-point win on Newbridge’s turf.

The Rick Ladson-coached Bridgewater is back home to take on Maiden Gully YCW Eagles.

A win will put the Machine within four points of the third-placed Mitiamo.

Key players for Bridgewater include Harry Donegan, Zane Hoiles, Luke Harrison and Jack Symons.

Maiden Gully YCW will want to take the momentum from a seven-goal quarter against Mitiamo into this contest.

The Wayne Mitrovic-coached Eagles will look for big games from the likes of ruckman/forward Chris Howgate, Nathan Murley on a wing, Jack Gallaher, Cooper Hale and Hamish McCartney.

Mitiamo has the bye.