Dogs fight Bears for grand final berth

PYRAMID Hill or Bears-Lagoon Serpentine will reach the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL senior footy grand final when they contest Saturday’s preliminary final at Calivil.

For the winner it’s a shot against Marong at grand final glory on 9 September at Inglewood’s Dissy Machinery Oval.

It’s three-nil in favour of Pyramid Hill from this season’s clashes with the Bears.

Latest hit-out was in the qualifying final where the Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Bulldogs won by 69 points.

Margins in the home and away series had been 18 points, round three, and a goal, round 12.

The Bulldogs put in a great effort against Marong in last Saturday’s second semi-final.

Unbeaten in its pursuit of back-to-back premierships the Linton Jacobs-coached Marong was under enormous pressure.

Pyramid Hill was within five points at three quarter-time, but Marong scored 5.3 to 2.2 in the last for a 24-point victory.

Despite the disappointment of a semi-final defeat there were plenty of positives for Pyramid Hill.

Now the challenge is to beat the Bears and earn another crack at the Panthers in the match which matters most.

The classy Brodie Carroll kicked four goals for the Bulldogs in the second semi-final and looms as a huge threat to the hopes of the BLS team.

Others to watch for the red, white and blue include Zach Alford, Dylan Collis, Gavin James, Billy Micevski, Bryden and Dylan Morison.

The Bears bounced back from the qualifying final loss to outpoint Bridgewater in Sunday’s first semi-final.

The Justin Laird-coached BLS slammed on six goals and held the Mean Machine to just one in the second for a 47-point lead at half-time.

The Bears kicked away for a 63-point buffer going into the last quarter.

Although Bridgewater won the final term, 27-13, it was the Bears who marked a 111-62 victory.

In-form players for the Bears include Callum Draper, Anthony Lewin, Louis Mott, James Rippingale, Beau Roy-Clements, and Kyal Zass.

As the Dogs and Bears do battle, Marong’s players and coaching group will be keen observers at Calivil.

The reserves preliminary final between Pyramid Hill and Maiden Gully YCW stars at 12.30pm.