Sport
18 April, 2026
Depth, experience launch Panthers’ defence
MARONG’S bid for a fifth-straight Loddon Valley flag got off to a winning start with a comfortable 25-point win over Bears Lagoon Serpentine at Malone Park.
MARONG’S bid for a fifth-straight Loddon Valley flag got off to a winning start with a comfortable 25-point win over Bears Lagoon Serpentine at Malone Park.
It wasn’t a vintage performance from the Panthers in the blustery conditions, but it was enough to defeat a Bears team without injured spearhead Josh Mellington.
Marong had a different look without retired key forward Kain Robins, with veteran Jack McCaig’s three goals the best on the day as the Panthers won 11.14 to 8.7.
Kangaroo Flat recruit Max Balcke and young prospect Cooper Hale each kicked two goals in the win.
The Panthers have lost several veteran players since last season’s premiership, but the depth of experience still left at the club was on display.
Ruckman Matthew Willox, vice-captain David Johnstone and rover Jimmy Gadsden – best on ground in the last two grand final wins – were among the best for Marong, which is still replete with premiership players. Serp’s star ruckman Nathan Twigg was named as his side’s best as the Bears struggled to score without Mellington, who is recovering from post-season surgeries.
Captain Charlie Gadsden, Frasier Holland, who moved up from the reserves and wore Mellington’s number 88 guernsey, and James Baikley each kicked two goals.
Tanner Rayner, who played reserves football for Golden Square last year, was among Serp’s best along with Tyler Miles, Darcy Hawker and coach Jake Wilkinson.
Marong faces Inglewood in the annual Kaye’s Day clash for cancer research, while the Bears are at home to Calivil.
Trio makes impact in Tigers’ debut
THERE’S new roar in Loddon Valley football - the first Tigers to play in the league have made an instant impact with Macorna on debut simply too good for Maiden Gully
Saturday’s 45-point victory over the Bendigo league aspirant has came after Macorna was forced to find a new home when the Golden Rivers league was disbanded after last season.
The Tigers led all day, mastering the wild weather better than the Eagles and successfully negotiating the ground’s notorious ‘hump’.
It was a disappointing start for Maiden Gully, which had recruited strongly as part of its desired transfer to the Bendigo in 2027.
Macorna’s win was based on a mixture of experience and youth, with coach Fergus Payne and former Inglewood teammate Josh Whittle among the best along with young star Sam Whinfield and Bentleigh recruit Matthew Colak.
The Tigers increased their lead at every change for a 13.9 to 5.12 win.
Northern Territory star Josiah Farrer was among Maiden Gully’s best players with Mitch Hill and Luke Gray, who played with Macorna last season.
Macorna is at home on Saturday to Mitiamo, eyeing off a 2-0 start, while Maiden Gully travels to Newbridge in a match both teams will be desperate to win after poor results first up.
How the Tigers approached league debut