Finals action begins across the Valley

THE Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL’s senior footy finals action kicks off this weekend.

First-up is Saturday’s qualifying final at Bridgewater where Pyramid Hill takes on Bears-Lagoon Serpentine.

This season’s meetings stand at two-nil in favour of Pyramid Hill.

The Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Bulldogs won the round three showdown with the Bears at Pyramid Hill’s Mitchell Park by three goals.

Just a goal separated these clubs in the 12th round at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.

The Justin Laird-coached Bears scored 4.4 to 1.3 in the final term as the Bulldogs clawed their way to a 100-94 victory.

Key players for Pyramid Hill include Zach Alford, Dylan Collis, Billy Micevski and Lachlan Sidebottom.

The Bulldogs also have the experience of Steven Gunther, Gavin James and Dylan Morison.

Been a great effort by the Bears to finish the regular season on a 12-4 record.

Players to watch in the purple and gold include Aidan Brohm, Callum Draper, Charlie and Harry Gadsden, and James Rippingale.

The Bears will also look to Orion Downing, Andy Gladman, Miggy Podosky and Beau Roy-Clements to lead the way to victory.

On Sunday it will be season over for Inglewood or Bridgewater after they contest the elimination final at Beck Legal Riverside Oval in Newbridge.

The Darrell Billett-coached Inglewood marks a long-awaited finals appearance against a club which was runner-up in ’22 after fighting its way from an elimination final.

In round three, Inglewood beat the Mean Machine at Inglewood’s Dissy Machinery Oval by 33 points.

Round 12 also went the Blues way, 73-48 at Bridgewater.

Inglewood finished the regular season on a tally of nine wins and seven defeats.

Key players for Inglewood include Bregon Cotchett, captain Luke Matheson, Fergus and Keelan Payne, Daniel Polack, and Cody Stobaus.

The Rick Ladson-coached Bridgewater ended the regular season on a 7-9 record.

Players to watch for Bridgewater include Darcy Wood, Harry Donegan, Tyler Estrada, James and Nic Naughton, Charlton Hindle, and Alex Pollock.

Reigning premier Marong finished the season on a 16-nil record and has a rest ahead of a second semi-final on August 26 at Pyramid Hill or Serpentine.