Marong dominates grand final showdown

A BRILLIANT start of 7.1 to nil in the opening quarter set up what would be memorable Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football League senior premiership for Marong on Saturday.

The Panthers led 43-nil at quarter-time of the showdown with Bridgewater at Marist College Bendigo oval in Maiden Gully.

The Rick Ladson-coached Bridgewater had made its way to the season decider through the elimination, first semi and preliminary finals.

After an emphatic victory against Pyramid Hill in the second semi final, Marong had been dubbed premiership favourites.

The Panthers were in pursuit of the club’s first senior premiership since 1989 and Bridgewater could little to stop the charge to glory.

Marong’s dominance at centre clearances and stoppages played a key factor as a star-studded forward line led by Brandyn Grenfell had plenty of opportunities.

The Panthers led 70-2 at half-time and the pressure and run did not let up.

As the match went on it became a matter of not who would win, but by how much.

Marong scored 6.4 in the third and had been just as impressive in its defensive play and two-way running as Bridgewater scored just three points up to the last change.

The Mean Machine fought on to win the final term, 4.4 to 2.3.

Yet it was Marong’s players and fans who celebrated a 19.11 (125) to 4.7 (31) victory.

A nine-goal haul by Grenfell earned best on ground honours as he ended the season with a league record tally of 154 goals in 18 matches.

Other multiple goalkickers in Marong’s grand victory were Ryley Taylor on four and Cory Jacobs with two.

Nathan Devanny, Ben Gregg, Corey Gregg and Jack McCaig chipped in with a goal each.

Bridgewater’s attack was led by Andy Collins who finished with two goals as Lachlan Allison and Darcy Wood were also on target.

Best for the Panthers were Corey Gregg, Jimmy Gadsden, Richard Tibbett, Ryley Taylor and Justin Hynes.

Classy on-baller Harry Donegan, key defender James Naughton, Emily Pavlich, Andy Collins, Darcy Woods and Jack Symons were best on a tough afternoon for Bridgewater.

Raising the premiership cup capped a superb season for Corey Gregg who had previously guided the Panthers, as well as a coaching stint at Boort, and played at Echuca before last season’s return to Zucoins Oval at Marong’s Malone Park.

Marong is the first club since Calivil United in 2003 to win all three footy premierships in the same season.