General News
1 August, 2024
Maroons glow in the dark
By GARY WALSH AS THE dark descended on Maiden Gully’s oval in the last quarter on Saturday, and hail began to pelt players and umpires, the one shining light was the electronic scoreboard. And on it was a score that most likely sealed Newbridge...
By GARY WALSH
AS THE dark descended on Maiden Gully’s oval in the last quarter on Saturday, and hail began to pelt players and umpires, the one shining light was the electronic scoreboard.
And on it was a score that most likely sealed Newbridge a spot in the Loddon Valley finals.
The Maroons surged after a tight first quarter to beat the Eagles by 67 points, with 7.15 to 2.2 in the second half franking a win that should have been greater. With 34 scoring shots to 12, Newbridge missed a chance to pile on percentage.
The victory sees Newbridge a game and 14 per cent ahead of Inglewood in the fight for fifth place. Calivil remains in the mix, sitting on 16 points alongside the Blues but with a slightly inferior percentage.
Inglewood and Calivil meet in round 16, while the Maroons face Pyramid Hill, which means one of the Blues or Demons is likely to end the round with Newbridge on five wins.
Newbridge’s beefy full-forward Chris Dixon controlled the 50-metre arc all afternoon to finish with six goals, proving too strong for Maiden Gully defenders Jaydon Magnusson and Ed Crisp.
Brandon Dimech, in only his second game for the season, was also potent in attack and in the air for the Maroons, while midfielder Tyler McLeod was in-and-under throughout and finished with two goals.
Onballer Josiah Farrer, back in the side on Saturday, worked tirelessly for the Eagles, who badly missed injured co-coach Angus Monfries, and Mitch Whitham and skipper fought hard in the tough conditions.
After the excitement of Lachlan Sharp bringing up his century for the season in round 12, Bridgewater has hit the skids with three heavy losses in a row, with the key goalkicker playing injured and managing just six goals in defeats to Pyramid Hill, Bears Lagoon Serpentine and Marong.
The Mean Machine is safe in fourth spot but faces a massive struggle to secure a double chance. A bye this week is followed by matches again Mitiamo and Calivil to round out the home-and-away season.
Marong thumped Bridgewater by 68 points, with Sharp scoring two goals against close-checking Brodie Hartland. Best for the Panthers were Michael Bradbury, Nathan Devanny, Lachlan Lee and the returning Jonty Davis, while Jack Neylon, Bo Alexander and Harry Conway continued their consistent seasons for the Mean Machine.
It was a round for statistical wonders: the four winning teams kicked 109, 109, 109 and 107 points, while the losers managed 40, 42, 41 and 40 points.