Sport
24 April, 2026
On a knife edge: Woodies face challenges
INGLEWOOD’S season is on a knife-edge after an 87-point loss to Marong, with flag favourites Bridgewater to come in Anzac Round.
Overrun in the final quarter of the season opener against Pyramid Hill, the Woodies were never in the contest against the reigning premiers despite playing at home again.
They had only one goal to half-time and finished with 4.11 as the Panthers dominated from the first bounce.
Inglewood looked flat from the start, with Marong’s running game on song.
Feeny Medal runner-up Jimmy Gadsden was his usual busy self in the midfield, while small forward Noah McCaig was unstoppable in a revamped Panthers attack with five goals.
The retirement of Kain Robins has created chances for other players to shine, including young Cooper Hale, who is making centre half-forward his own.
Inglewood was plagued with poor disposal, and its players were constantly second to the ball and conceding too many free kicks.
Even highly skilled midfielder Bregon Cotchett was dropping marks and missing targets.
The Woodies briefly raised supporters’ hopes with a goal in the first minute of the second quarter, but the Panthers quickly responded and led by a commanding 54 points at the main break.
The frustration was clear when Ian Aitken, coaching from the bench, called co-coach Jackson Hood from the field in the second quarter for an animated discussion.
Gabe Nevins, who tried valiantly to marshall the Inglewood defence, was the team’s best on the day, with Charlie Aitken also battling hard in a floating defensive role and diminutive Mischa Fraillon providing flashes of talent on the wing.
The Panthers’ Lachie Lee won the Kaye’s Day medal for his efforts up forward and in the midfield, while ruckman Michael Bradbury dominated the big-man contest with Tom Kennedy.
Marong’s unbeaten start to the season is likely to continue at Calivil on Sunday.
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