Panthers celebrate premiership trifecta

MARONG Football Netball Club marked a rare feat in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League’s 2022 season.

The Panthers joined an elite group to have won premierships across all three grades of football in the same year.

Beaten just once in the home and away series, the Linton Jacobs-coached Marong stamped its mark on a brilliant 2022 by winning the grand final against Bridgewater by 94 points.

The Panthers charged to a 43-nil lead by quarter-time of the clash at Marist College Bendigo oval in Maiden Gully and did not let up.

In the next two terms Marong scored 4.3 and 6.4 as Bridgewater added two points and then a point.

The Rick Ladson-coached Bridgewater endured a tough run to the season decider after wins in the elimination final, first semi and preliminary.

Led by brilliance of gun forward Brandyn Grenfell, onballer and captain Corey Gregg, and Jimmy Gadsden, Marong went on to the grand final, 19.11 (125) to 4.7 (31).

It was the club’s first senior premiership since 1989.

Leg two of the premiership trifecta was in the reserves where the Jarrod Harris-coached Marong beat Pyramid Hill by 22 points.

Unbeaten in the run to the grand final, a wayward Marong was leading 2.11 to 3.4 at three quarter-time, but then added 3.4 to a point in the last for a 45-23 victory.

Adrian Pappin led the Panthers attack on three goals to be among the best with Josh Cooper, Thomas Wilson and Matthew Willox.

Marong’s cubs kicked off grand final day by winning the under-18s clash with Bridgewater.

The Zack Turnbull and Patty Gretgrix-coached Panthers won all quarters in 79-27 victory.

Best afield honours went to Jacob Manning who kicked five goals as Noah McCaig, Ben Cruise and Kai Terrill were in hot form for the Panthers.