Sport
11 April, 2026
Surgery sidelines goal guru Mellington
BEARS Lagoon Serpentine’s colourful full-forward Josh Mellington will miss at least the first two rounds of the new football season.
BEARS Lagoon Serpentine’s colourful full-forward Josh Mellington will miss at least the first two rounds of the new football season.
Mellington is recovering from off-season surgery to an ankle and a thumb.
Coach Jake Wilkinson is hopeful the dynamic forward will be able to return for round three against Macorna after missing matches against Marong this week and Calivil.
Mellington has averaged just shy of 10 goals a game over two seasons with the Bears, but Wilkison was confident a mix of forwards can cover his loss.
Among those is Farren Priest, who has stepped up as a potent attacker in the past when Mellington has missed games through injury. He will be one player Wilkinson is looking to along with recruit Tanner Rayner and Aidan Brohm.
Marong begins its assault on a fifth flag in a row managing a few sore players after a spirited practice match with Charlton two weeks ago. However, new coach James Flaherty said 90-95 per cent of the list was available for selection.
The Panthers will have a reshaped forward line this season after the retirement of club legend Kain Robins.
He kicked 56 goals last season as playing co-coach and won selection in the Loddon Valley Teams of the Year.
Flaherty is looking to the development of younger players, with league reserves best and fairest winner Cooper Hale ready to take on senior footy.
Read More: Bears Lagoon, Serpentine, Macorna