Machine fights Bears to stay in Cup race

IT’S a fight between Bridgewater and Bears Lagoon Serpentine to stay in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football League’s premiership race in Sunday’s elimination final.

The Mean Machine and Bears will be up for a fierce contest at John Forbes Oval in Mitiamo from 2.15pm.

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

The Rick Ladson-coached Mean Machine won by 28 points at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve in round four and followed up with a seven-goal victory in the 13th round at home.

Bridgewater tuned up for the finals by scoring a 106-96 win in Saturday’s round 18 clash at home against qualifying final-bound Mitiamo.

Key players for Bridgewater include former Richmond and Carlton player Andy Collins in midfield or attack, rover Harry Donegan, full-forward Josh Martyn, Emile Pavlich, Callum Prest and Cameron Ross.

The Justin Laird-coached Bears will need big games from the likes of Josh Walsh at half-back, Darcy Poulter in the ruck, Andy Gladman in attack, and the skilful Charlie and Harry Gadsden.

Finals action begins at Marong’s Malone Park on Saturday when Pyramid Hill tackles Mitiamo in the senior footy qualifying final from 2.15pm.

Although it scored 5.22, Pyramid Hill won the round six clash with the Superoos at Mitiamo by four points.

It was 79-74 in favour of Pyramid Hill against Mitiamo at Mitchell Park in the 13th round.

Beaten just once in the run to the finals, the Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Pyramid Hill will start favourite against the Marcus McKern-coached Mitiamo which has a 10-6 record.

The Bulldogs marked a 130-point victory against Inglewood in the final round of the home and away series.

Scott Mann kicked four goals in a best afield performance as Gavin James, Ryley Dickens and Billy Micevski won plenty of the ball.

Other players to watch in the red, white and blue include Braidy Dickens, Bailey George, captain Steven Gunther, Brad Ladson and Seb Relouw.

Workate when not in possession will be a big focus for Mitiamo.

The Superoos showed a lot of fight after being 19 points down at half-time against Bridgewater to be within two points at a quarter to go.

Key players for Mitiamo include Lee Dale, Harry McCormick, Lucas Matthews, Carl Nicholson, Jay Reynolds, Ross Turner, Lachlan and Nathan Twigg, Jarryd Wiegard, and Ryan Wellington.

The winner meets Marong in the second semi-final on 27 August at Serpentine.