Sport
18 April, 2024
Game's Sharp switch - pivot to success
By GARY WALSH BRIDGEWATER was the talk of the off-season in the Loddon Valley Football League, with its aggressive recruiting bringing in a raft of stars including Bendigo Football League goalkicking ace Lachlan Sharp. However, at three quarter time...
By GARY WALSH
BRIDGEWATER was the talk of the off-season in the Loddon Valley Football League, with its aggressive recruiting bringing in a raft of stars including Bendigo Football League goalkicking ace Lachlan Sharp.
However, at three quarter time of the opening round last Saturday, underdogs Newbridge looked every chance to cause an upset, leading by 10 points and having been in command virtually all afternoon. Enter the Sharpshooter.
A dominant last quarter saw the Mean Machine storm home to win by 21 points, with Sharp snaring eight on his debut, including an exquisite checkside goal from almost 50 metres on a tight angle that sealed the victory.
Bridgewater finished up winning 15.13 (103) to the Maroons’ 12.10 (82) in front of a big and vocal crowd.
Sharp, after kicking almost 1000 goals in the Bendigo competition with Strathfieldsaye Storm, was always going to be the headline act, and both sets of supporters welcomed him to the league in their own ways.
Mean Machine fans shouted his name whenever he neared the ball, while a well-watered Newbridge crew atop a tray truck on the half-forward flank at the southern end sledged him at every opportunity. And there were plenty.
The quality of Sharp’s finishing set him apart, his cultured left-foot rarely letting him down. He barely roamed beyond the 50-metre arc and presented a real challenge for Newbridge’s Matt McArthur almost every time Bridgewater went forward.
McArthur battled bravely against the odds, but Sharp was adept at making the most of the chances he got, and his six goals in the second half were the difference between the two sides.
Newbridge was cleaner in their disposal and appeared faster by foot and in ball use than Bridgewater in the first half, leading by 16 points at the main break.
Four goals in the second quarter against the breeze to Bridgewater’s three gave the Maroons real reason for optimism. It could have been worse for the Mean Machine, which kicked two late goals before half-time as Newbridge threatened to run away with the game.
Bridgewater outscored its opponent by a goal in the third term, setting up a grandstand finish. The Mean Machine, winning the bulk of the clearances and using the ball better than they had all day, finally took control and kicked six goals to Newbridge’s one in the final quarter to take out a hard-fought battle.
Injury saw the Maroons down to two on the bench in the last term, making it tough for them to withstand Bridgewater’s charge.
Midfielder Boden Alexander, on his return after two seasons with Strathfieldsaye, was Bridgewater’s best, while Sharp’s match-winning performance in his first Loddon Valley game also made him a standout. Andrew Collins, another Bridgewater star returning home, kicked three goals. The Maroons were well-served by ruckman Will Copland, who gave his midfielders silver service and recruit Jono Aujard, who worked hard all day.
Next up, Bridgewater travels to Maiden Gully, who won their round one clash with Calivil United, while Newbridge is at home to dual reigning premiers Marong, who look strong again in 2024.