Match Previews | Marong's reign as number one in the Bendigo Bank Loddon Valley FNL senior footy competition is under threat.

A run by the Linton Jacobs-coached Marong at a premiership hat-trick hit a hurdle in last Saturday’s loss to Pyramid Hill in the second semi-final.

To gain a shot at redemption against the Bulldogs in the grand final, Marong must beat Bridgewater in Saturday’s preliminary final at Inglewood’s Centre State Scaffolding Oval.

The showdown between the Panthers and Mean Machine starts at 2.15pm.

Marong won the home-and-away series matches against Bridgewater by 56 and 68 points in rounds six and 15.

A great run by the Rick Ladson-coached Bridgewater in the finals began with a 63-point triumph against Newbridge in the elimination final at Pyramid Hill’s Mitchell Park.

A day after Marong went down to Pyramid Hill by seven points, Bridgewater won 80-79 in the first semi-final against Bears-Lagoon Serpentine at East West Oval in Marong’s Malone Park.

Click here to read the full article