General News
8 September, 2023
Underdogs bark at right time
By CHRIS EARL MARONG will go into Saturday’s Loddon Valley league grand final raging favourites on its form over the last 18 months. The Panthers’ statistics are clear: undefeated in their last 33 games, a triple figure average winning margin...
By CHRIS EARL
MARONG will go into Saturday’s Loddon Valley league grand final raging favourites on its form over the last 18 months.
The Panthers’ statistics are clear: undefeated in their last 33 games, a triple figure average winning margin this year, again boasting the league’s leading goalkicker backed up by more than half his side who have had their names in official results as well.
The Panthers have been dominant, almost intimidating against sides on the rebuild, hit with injury as the cycle of country football goes.
Afterall, it was not that long ago Marong was just another side in Loddon Valley league. It’s record has been nearer the bottom for most of the 40 years in the league than most.
The arrival of Linton Jacobs as coach for the 2021 season brought winds of change to Malone Park that have since shaped the match-winning Panthers.
But every win in football brings a club one match closer to defeat and Saturday’s grand final lead-up was turned on its head a fortnight ago when Pyramid Hill - still then not at full strength - went close.
The Bulldogs, once upon a time known as the Panthers, gave the Malone Park incarnation of the prowling felines more than a scare.
Nathan Fitzpatrick’s charges did what only two other clubs had been able to do at some stage in season 2023. The Bulldogs at times were ahead on the field and on the scoreboard.
Inglewood and Bears Lagoon Serpentine had done just that earlier in the season before being blown away by a style of football that can intimidate lesser rivals.
Pyramid Hill was no pushover in that second semi-final. The Bulldogs will be at full strength when taking the field in Saturday’s grand final at Inglewood.
League best and fairest Dylan Collis will be back, joining the recently returned Sidebottom and George.
The Bulldogs have shown they can expose Marong’s Achille’s heel - pressure.
Yes, Marong can respond and they have the players to lead example - Robins, Gregg and youngster Davis.
The Loddon Herald’s tipster panel has also pointed out that Marong will have played just two matches in a month. Sure, it didn’t work against the Panthers in last year’s grand final against Bridgewater but 2023 is a different kettle of fish.
Pyramid Hill’s defence has shown it can negate Grenfell. To win, that will need to extend to the array of equally talented goal sneaks.
The ruck duel’s will be crucial and how efficiently centre clearances are achieved will also have an early impact on fortunes for both sides.
Jacobs, who cut his teeth as an assistant coach at Bendigo league club Eaglehawk, has proven a master tactician week in week out.
Fitzpatrick is equally as calculated, known for being able to pull rabbits out of the hat.
A close grand final is on the cards. The coach and club weaving the greater magic will hold the cup aloft at 5pm.