Eagles eye fifth win against Machine

MAIDEN Gully YCW Eagles have sights on a fifth win in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football League when they play Bridgewater this Saturday.

The Eagles have home-ground advantage at Marist College Bendigo against a fourth-placed Bridgewater on the rebound from a shock 79-82 loss at home to Newbridge.

Although well beaten at Mitiamo last Saturday, Maiden Gully YCW is still in the chase for the finals.

The Wayne Mitrovic-coached Eagles must beat Bridgewater and rely on Inglewood winning on home turf against the fifth-placed Bears Lagoon Serpentine.

The Eagles and Bears clash a week later in the final and 18th round.

Key players for the Eagles include forward Jason Butty, 301-game player Steve Turner in defence, Jessi Lampi and mid-season recruit Damian Wust.

In round eight, the Rick Ladson-coached Bridgewater beat the Eagles by 64 points as Emile Pavlich, Harry Donegan and Jacob Ellings were best.

Inglewood will be desperate to break its winless run when it plays Bears Lagoon Serpentine at Dissy Machinery Oval.

Last time these two teams met the Bears beat the Blues by 81 points with Josh Walsh, Charlie Gadsden, James Bailey and Andy Gladman leading the way.

Inglewood had the bye last round and will be keen to finish the season strongly.

Key players for the Blues include Bregon Cotchett, Charlie Ingham, Tom Kennedy and Charlie McGaw.

After a stunning Bridgewater, Newbridge is on home turf at Holloway Air Riverside Oval facing Pyramid Hill.

Dylan Lloyd, Caleb Argus, Austin Fithall and Chris Dixon played starring roles for the Luke Freeman-coached Newbridge against the Mean Machine.

It’s a daunting task for the Maroons against a Bulldogs line-up which has class on every line.

Players to watch for Pyramid Hill include Ed Caburnay, Ryley Dickens, Bailey George, Steven Gunther and Scott Mann.

The ladder-leading Marong is on home turf at Malone Park to take on Calivil United.

There will be plenty of interest on Brandyn Grenfell who will start the clash on 137 goals in pursuit of the LVFL season record.

A red-hot Panthers’ line-up coached by Linton Jacobs includes captain Corey Gregg, Nathan Devanny, Kain Robins and Adam Ward.

The Jack Daley-coached Demons had plenty of regular players unavailable for last Saturday’s clash with Pyramid Hill.

Jack Burns, Lachlan Brook and Lachlan McAllister put in a great effort for the red and blue.

Mitiamo has the bye.