The Bulldogs were thrashed by 90 points by Bridgewater last Saturday, with their reserves going down by 197 points after being able to field only 14 players.
As well, there were injuries to key players against the Mean Machine, including captain Ben Knight, who has had to take on a bigger midfield role in the absence of star onballers Isaac Brill and James Sala.
And to rub salt into the wounds, Jett Hird was yellow carded in the third quarter, reducing the team to 17 men.
Coach Jarrod Fitzpatrick said the team would draw a line through the performance, acknowledging that Bridgewater was far too good “on a pretty deflating day”.
He felt that a loss – after eight successive wins – was coming.
“We should have lost against Macorna, and we just got over Inglewood – it felt like we were getting a few more injuries and a few more players were unavailable.”
While lamenting the injuries and absences – 11 players were unavailable – he was quick to praise Bridgewater and said that even with a full list of players the Mean Machine would have beaten them.
Rising Star Harrison Goodes suffered a concussion, Bryce Leslie is unlikely to play again this season after injuring his AC joint, key defender Dylan Morison injured a calf, and Knight hurt his shoulder but played out the game.
Bridgewater coach Lachie Shharp was in deadly form with nine goals, while midfielder Luke Ellings’ mid-season resurgence continued in a best-afield performance.
Forward Oscar McKinley’s consistency has been outstanding, with another three goals taking him to 23 in just six games.
The best for Pyramid Hill were a mix of ages and backgrounds – Darwin fly-in Brodie Carroll, 300-game veteran Gavin James and young gun Xavier Emmerson.
Fitzpatrick said victory in this week’s clash with Maiden Gully at Marist College was essential.
“We need a win to consolidate top three.
“If we lose, we go into Marong and we might be in a position where we have must-win games at the back end of the year.”
Bridgewater travels up the highway to Inglewood in a critical game for the Blues.
Inglewood’s younger brigade, stepping up from the juniors, continue to impress and prove their worth in the senior lineup.
Saturday’s will be another coming of age for the emerging crop of Woodies.
Read More: Bridgewater, Pyramid Hill