PYRAMID Hill or Bears-Lagoon Serpentine will reach the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL senior footy grand final when they contest Saturday\u2019s preliminary final at Calivil.<\/p>\n
For the winner it\u2019s a shot against Marong at grand final glory on 9 September at Inglewood\u2019s Dissy Machinery Oval.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s three-nil in favour of Pyramid Hill from this season\u2019s clashes with the Bears.<\/p>\n
Latest hit-out was in the qualifying final where the Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Bulldogs won by 69 points.<\/p>\n
Margins in the home and away series had been 18 points, round three, and a goal, round 12.<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs put in a great effort against Marong in last Saturday\u2019s second semi-final.<\/p>\n
Unbeaten in its pursuit of back-to-back premierships the Linton Jacobs-coached Marong was under enormous pressure.<\/p>\n
Pyramid Hill was within five points at three quarter-time, but Marong scored 5.3 to 2.2 in the last for a 24-point victory.<\/p>\n
Despite the disappointment of a semi-final defeat there were plenty of positives for Pyramid Hill.<\/p>\n
Now the challenge is to beat the Bears and earn another crack at the Panthers in the match which matters most.<\/p>\n
The classy Brodie Carroll kicked four goals for the Bulldogs in the second semi-final and looms as a huge threat to the hopes of the BLS team.<\/p>\n
Others to watch for the red, white and blue include Zach Alford, Dylan Collis, Gavin James, Billy Micevski, Bryden and Dylan Morison.<\/p>\n
The Bears bounced back from the qualifying final loss to outpoint Bridgewater in Sunday\u2019s first semi-final.<\/p>\n
The Justin Laird-coached BLS slammed on six goals and held the Mean Machine to just one in the second for a 47-point lead at half-time.<\/p>\n
The Bears kicked away for a 63-point buffer going into the last quarter.<\/p>\n
Although Bridgewater won the final term, 27-13, it was the Bears who marked a 111-62 victory.<\/p>\n
In-form players for the Bears include Callum Draper, Anthony Lewin, Louis Mott, James Rippingale, Beau Roy-Clements, and Kyal Zass.<\/p>\n
As the Dogs and Bears do battle, Marong\u2019s players and coaching group will be keen observers at Calivil.<\/p>\n
The reserves preliminary final between Pyramid Hill and Maiden Gully YCW stars at 12.30pm.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
PYRAMID Hill or Bears-Lagoon Serpentine will reach the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL senior footy grand final when they contest Saturday\u2019s preliminary final at Calivil. For the winner it\u2019s a shot against Marong at grand final glory on 9 September at Inglewood\u2019s Dissy Machinery Oval. It\u2019s three-nil in favour of Pyramid Hill from this season\u2019s […]<\/p>\n