General News
22 August, 2024
Maroons back off in final term
By GARY WALSH KICKING five goals to one in the last quarter against a winless team might not seem like the best preparation for the Loddon Valley football final series. So was Newbridge foxing in the final term of its clash with Mitiamo last...
By GARY WALSH
KICKING five goals to one in the last quarter against a winless team might not seem like the best preparation for the Loddon Valley football final series.
So was Newbridge foxing in the final term of its clash with Mitiamo last Saturday? With fifth place assured, and percentage no issue, the Maroons appeared to take their foot off the pedal against the Superoos, winning by 52 points after leading by 74 at the last change.
Full forward Chris Dixon, who had five goals from his strong marking and accurate kicking, spent the quarter on the bench with his boots off, and others took a relaxed approach to the game, not risking injury with a big week coming up.
This is no disrespect to Mitiamo, which was very competitive early in the match and came home strongly to offer some encouragement to the loyal fans who supported them through a tough season.
In the end, Newbridge’s class told. Key forward Brandon Dimech, who joined the club only late in the season, was again outstanding with five goals and shapes as a key to the Maroons chances against Bridgewater in Sunday’s elimination final.
Dimech, wearing the distinctive guernsey 0, has been named in the best four times in his five matches, and he was best afield against the Superoos, who did not have the height or strength to go with him.
He was well supported by Brandon Hetherington, Matthew McArthur and Dixon.
For Mitiamo, there was promise in the way the players fought out the game, with Zak Myers, captain Luke Lougoon and Nathan Twigg among the best. Notably, the Superoos had nine individual goakickers.
Marong headed into the week off for finishing on top with a 120-point win over Inglewood. Ryley Taylor kicked 11 goals and Ryan Wellington seven for the Panthers as they ended the home and away season with a two-game buffer over Pyramid Hill.
Gabe Nevins was Inglewood’s best, with the young star showing what could have been if not for an injury-plagued season.
The Bulldogs tuned up for the finals with a 114-point win over Maiden Gully. Bailey George, Ben Knight and Zach Alford, whose five goals took him to third spot on the goal kicking ladder, were best for Pyramid Hill, while Mitch Whitham, Josh Worsley and Thomas Pridgeon did well for the Eagles.
Bridgewater, with the prolific Lachlan Sharp kicking another eight goals to take him to 128 for the season, were too good for Calivil, winning by 84 points.
Joseph Mayes and Lee Coghlan were best for the Mean Machine, while Anthony Dennis, Justin Hynes and skipper Samuel Green stood out for the Demons.