Panthers face Pyramid’s test at Marong

UNBEATEAN teams Marong and Pyramid Hill clash in Saturday’s fourth round of the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley Football Netball League’s senior footy action.

The Panthers have home-ground advantage at Malone Park for the duel between first and fourth.

Marong’s run as reigning premier has kicked off with wins by margins of 127, 84 and 202 points.

A powerful attack for the Linton Jacobs-coached Panthers is led by Brandyn Grenfell, Kain Robins, and newcomer Matt Riordan from Colbinabbin.

Pyramid Hill won a high-scoring clash with Bears-Lagoon Serpentine by 18 points in the Bulldogs’ kennel at Mitchell Park last round.

Most recent meeting between Marong and Pyramid Hill was last season’s second semi-final which the Panthers won by 58 points but there have been significant changes to Pyramid Hill’s line-up since then.

Recruits for the Nathan Fitzpatrick-coached Bulldogs include Zach Alford from North Bendigo, Declan Slingo via Castlemaine, Tom and Darcy Hetherington from Murrabit, Tom McGregor from Mallee Eagles, and Jesse Sheahan who played for South Bendigo.

Stung by a 33-point loss on Inglewood’s turf, the Rick Ladson-coached Bridgewater is at home to face Newbridge.

After a first-up win at Calivil, Newbridge’s been outgunned by BLS in Marong the past two weeks.

Meanwhile, the winless Mitiamo takes on Inglewood which is now fifth.

The Jon Varcoe-coached Superoos will be on home turf at John Forbes Oval for such an important game.

Best for the Darrell Billett-coached Blues against Bridgewater were Thomas Kennedy, Charlie McGaw, Bregon Cotchett and Charlie Ingham.

Back at home Bears-Lagoon Serpentine and Calivil United clash at Gadsden Finance Serpentine Reserve.

The Bears will start favourite against the Anthony Dennis-coached Demons who are yet to bank four points.

BLS coach Justin Laird kicked six goals at Pyramid Hill in a match where Jaxon Addlem, Darcy Poulter, Aidan Brohm and Louis Mott were among the best.

Maiden Gully YCW Eagles have the bye.