General News
14 September, 2023
Grenfell late snap seals success
IT TOOK a Brandyn Grenfell goal deep into the final quarter to seal victory against a stronger finishing Pyramid Hill in Saturday’s Loddon Valley league grand final. Grenfell’s goal - just his third of the day - took the momentum away from...
IT TOOK a Brandyn Grenfell goal deep into the final quarter to seal victory against a stronger finishing Pyramid Hill in Saturday’s Loddon Valley league grand final.
Grenfell’s goal - just his third of the day - took the momentum away from Pyramid Hill and gave the Panthers time to regroup and consolidate for the final eight minutes of the season.
While Marong had dominated and decimated all competition before it in the home and away season, Pyramid Hill had its measure at times in the second semi-final.
Grand final day saw the Bulldogs up another notch. At full strength for the first time - Will Perryman had to be dropped to the twos to keep within the player point cap - Pyramid Hill made more than a contest of the grand final.
Marong tried hard early to nullify the influence of Harding Medallist Dylan Collis and midfielder Brodie Carroll. Both would be named in the Bulldogs’ best.
The Panthers kicked to the scoring Bendigo end in the first term but it was Pyramid Hill with the first major score when skipper Steve Gunther sent the ball through the posts.
Pyramid Hill backed up well in that opening term and had a midfield edge yet it was Marong’s Richard Tibbett in defence setting up a game that would see him named best on ground.
Grenfell spent time up the ground before returning to the forward zone and kicking Marong’s only major of the term.
Pyramid Hill went straight on the attack in the second term with an immediate Collis goal, followed moments later by an offline result. Pyramid Hill, however, was unable to maximise the breeze advantage and saw Marong skip to a five-goal lead.
The Panthers exploited a looser Pyramid Hill midfield despite the efforts of James, Collis, Carroll and Micesvski to send the Dogs into attack. A late goal to Carroll, capping off the work of Sheahan and Collis, kept them in touch.
Pyramid Hill put full grunt into the final quarter. Zach Alford had the first goal on the board, Tommy Brennan took possibly the mark of the year for another.
At times, Marong sucked Bulldogs out of their forward zone that cost a couple of goals.
Grenfell’s late goal led Marong to congest play and sneak home by 16 points.
- CHRIS EARL