Sport
3 May, 2024
Dogs had their chances
By GARY WALSH A FIVE goals to one second quarter was enough for Marong to continue its long winning run in the Loddon Valley league with a hard-fought eight-point victory over Pyramid Hill at Malone Park. The Bulldogs had their chances in the grand...
By GARY WALSH
A FIVE goals to one second quarter was enough for Marong to continue its long winning run in the Loddon Valley league with a hard-fought eight-point victory over Pyramid Hill at Malone Park.
The Bulldogs had their chances in the grand final rematch and will rue some missed opportunities late in the game as they tried to end the Panthers’ 34-game winning streak.
The 11.13 (79) to 10.11 (71) result leaves Pyramid Hill with one win from three and in fourth place on the ladder, while Marong remains on top and undefeated.
The Bulldogs took the game up to the reigning premiers early, with their pace and crisp ball movement making the home side look slow and reactive.
Livewire midfielder/forward Brodie Carroll was causing mayhem as he zipped around the field – he was to finish with four goals after having one disallowed for running too far.
Marong’s decision to use Todd Davies as a run-with player quelled Carroll’s influence later in the game.
Pyramid Hill led by 11 points at the first change, but Marong revved up a gear in the second term, turning the game around and leading by 14 points at half-time with big-bodied defender Matt Willox proving to be an immoveable object.
Injuries saw the Panthers down to one player on the bench before half-time, and the third term was an arm wrestle, with the Bulldogs cutting the margin by a single point.
The final quarter was a tense affair as Pyramid Hill peppered the goals but could only manage 3.3.
A long goal from Marong’s Lachlan Frankel late in the term after a 50-metre penalty when he was bumped after marking settled the contest, could easily have gone the other way.
Marong’s ability to fight through its mounting injury list and restricted interchange rotations made the win particularly meritorious.
They took home the four points and the Michael Herrick Memorial Cup, while Willox won best-afield honours.
Lachlan Lee was strong in midfield and across the half-back line, while Ryan Wellington’s three goals were critical in the Panthers’ win.
Carroll was the Bulldogs best, with speedy Damon Hemphill also putting Marong under pressure all day. Jesse Sheahan’s four goals were important, and co-coach Zach Alford kicked Pyramid Hill’s other two goals.
Although the Bulldogs fell short of ending the Marong streak in the seniors, the Panthers’ 50-match winning run in the reserves ended when Pyramid Hill got home by 10 points. It was the home side’s first defeat since August 2019.
Marong faces Bears Lagoon Serpentine and gun forward Josh Mellington this weekend, while Pyramid Hill has a tough task to get its season back on track when it comes up again Bridgewater, led by ace goalkicker Lachlan Sharp.
Maiden Gully won their second match of the season against Mitiamo, but you wouldn’t know it from looking at the ladder. Their 12-point deduction before the season began sees them in fifth place behind Pyramid Hill despite having won one more match.
The Eagles’ four-point win was snatched with the last goal of the game, which was an incredibly tight contest – Maiden Gully led at every change but never by more than four points.
Josiah Farrer kicked the final goal, his fourth of the afternoon, to be the Eagles’ best. Onballer Luke Deslandes managed two goals and worked hard inside, while ruckman Mathew Crooks was influential. For the Superoos, Andrew Cussen was best,