AFTER three narrow losses to 2024 finalists to start the season. Inglewood broke its duck in an emphatic manner with an 82-point win over struggling Newbridge.
The Woodies looked like recording a century-plus margin at half-time when they led by 75 points, but the undermanned Maroons fought out the game strongly, kicking 4.9 to 6.4 in the second half.
The win took Inglewood from eighth to fifth on the ladder and highlighted the team’s improvement this season.
Having lost to Marong by seven points, Bears Lagoon Serpentine by 10 and Bridgewater by seven, the Woodies were due a change in fortune.
Newbridge, the only team without any points this season, were ripe for the picking, with the Maroons having stuttered their way through the first month of the season with an unfriendly fixture that saw them playing only once in three weeks.
Injuries have also hurt the team from Riverside Oval, losing key forward Brandon Dimech, possibly for the season, in the opening round.
Powerful full-forward Seb Erharter kicked seven for Inglewood, placing him second on the goalscoring list for the season with 18 goals, four behind Bridgewater’s Lachlan Sharp.
Bregon Cotchett, the Woodies’ 2023 best-and-fairest winner, has been an inspiration on his return after a year out with injury, and was again among the team’s best. Liam Marciano kicked six goals to go with Erharter’s bag, providing a strong one-two punch up forward. Midfielder Luke Matheson was best on ground, while coach Fergus Payne mopped up constantly in defence.
Newbridge battled on bravely, kicking two quick goals in the last quarter to trim the margin to 73 points and providing some optimism for next week when the Maroons travel to Calivil.
Caleb Sanders was best for Newbridge, along with Will Copland and Ricky Cathie. Matt McArthur ended the game coaching from the bench with his ankle swathed in ice.
Recruit Billy Schilling kicked three goals, taking his tally to eight for the season in three games.