Sport
15 September, 2022
Questions soon answered
TWO big questions going into Saturday’s Loddon Valley football grand final were answered within 10 minutes. Would Marong’s new league goal record holder Brandyn Grenfell make an impact after a quiet second semi-final? Emphatically, he did...
TWO big questions going into Saturday’s Loddon Valley football grand final were answered within 10 minutes.
Would Marong’s new league goal record holder Brandyn Grenfell make an impact after a quiet second semi-final? Emphatically, he did, kicking nine goals and being named best on ground.
Was there enough momentum to carry Bridgewater to a flag after defeating Mitiamo twice in as many weeks and then claiming the upset scalp of Pyramid Hill in the preliminary final.
That was a big “no” as the Mean Machine went into Saturday’s game at Maiden Gully without Alex Pollock (suspended) and players injured, forced to bring Darren Clutton out of retirement.
While the cross-goal breeze favoured Marong in the first quarter, Bridgewater struggled for even a sniff of scoring for three terms of football.
Play was ruthlessly steered by the Panthers and straight down to Grenfell who marked and goaled from set shots, on the occassions he also found spoace for quick snaps through the sticks.
Briudgewater’s Cam Ross was winning taps in the centre, only to have any hope of play cut to shreds by Marong midfielders. By the final break, Marong was 101 points up and assured of ending a premiership drought that stretched back to 1985.
Bridgewater gained some redemption on the scoreboard in the final quarter.
Andrew Collins, who had alternated between a forward and on-baller bobbed up with two goals, Allison found accuracy and in the dying minutes, youngster Darcy Wood topped off a solid day with a major in what was really a lacklustre quarter.
A Panther flag was never in doubt on Saturday.
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