General News
6 September, 2024
Gutsy Bridgey primed for assault on Panthers
MARONG’S bid for a third-straight Loddon Valley flag has a Bridgewater-shaped obstacle in its way after a loss to Pyramid Hill sent the Panthers into a preliminary final showdown with the Mean Machine. Results this season suggest a romp for the...
MARONG’S bid for a third-straight Loddon Valley flag has a Bridgewater-shaped obstacle in its way after a loss to Pyramid Hill sent the Panthers into a preliminary final showdown with the Mean Machine.
Results this season suggest a romp for the reigning premiers but Bridgewater’s gutsy first semi-final win over Bears Lagoon Serpentine has the Mean Machine eyeing off an unexpected grand final spot.
In round six, Marong beat Bridgewater by 56 points and in round 15 by 68 points, with gun full-forward Lachlan Sharp held to two goals in each clash.
He sits on 137 goals for the season, so the effort in keeping him quiet speaks volumes not only for the Panthers’ defence but also for their midfield’s ability to shut down their opponents and reduce the service to Sharp.
How much will the loss to Pyramid Hill shake Marong’s confidence, and how much will the desire for revenge colour the team’s thinking?
It will be a challenge for the players to focus on the Bridgewater clash at Inglewood’s home ground and not cast their minds further ahead to another potential battle with the Bulldogs.
With two losses this season to Pyramid Hill – the team’s only defeats since round four of 2022 – the thought of turning the tables inevitably will be on the Panthers’ minds.
Bridgewater had a bad patch of form immediately after Sharp reached his century, losing heavily to Pyramid Hill, Serpentine and Marong in successive weeks as the full-forward struggled with a bad corked calf.
However, their one-point win over the Bears will have the Mean Machine feeling fearless and convinced of their ability to beat anyone on their day.
Marong’s three-pronged attack of Kain Robins, Ryley Taylor and Ryan Wellington have kicked 168 goals between them this season, which presents a massive challenge for Bridgewater’s defence.
With two potent forward lines, the result of the game will likely come down to which midfield can more effectively limit supply to its opponent’s goalkickers.
And with the weekend off, Pyramid Hill’s players and coaches will sit back and hope for a bruising contest in this do-or-die clash.