General News
30 August, 2024
Mellington hits training track but selection looks unlikely
BEARS Lagoon Serpentine will be looking to avoid a straight sets exit from the finals against Bridgewater on Sunday after a big loss to Pyramid Hill in the qualifying final. The Bears finished two games clear of the Mean Machine in third spot on the...
BEARS Lagoon Serpentine will be looking to avoid a straight sets exit from the finals against Bridgewater on Sunday after a big loss to Pyramid Hill in the qualifying final.
The Bears finished two games clear of the Mean Machine in third spot on the ladder but will be reeling from the 88-point defeat against the Bulldogs.
Bridgewater accounted comfortably for Newbridge in the elimination final but will face nightmares of its own after big losses in consecutive weeks to Pyramid Hill, Serp and Marong in rounds 13-15.
The string of defeats came a week after gun Bridgewater full-forward Lachlan Sharp brought up his century of goals for the season – and copped a bad corkie in the process that saw him kick just six goals in the subsequent losses.
However, the league’s best forward has returned to form with a vengeance, kicking 14, eight and five goals in the past three weeks.
As ever, limiting Sharp’s output is the key to opposition success.
Serp coach Jake Wilkinson said while Sharp was “a terrific footballer” there were other Bridgewater figures who were critical, including Joey Mayes, Jack Neylon and Andy Collins, if he played.
Bears full-forward Josh Mellington, who kicked 93 goals in nine games before tearing his hamstring tendon and requiring surgery, is back in training with a regime of light jogging and walking, but Wilkinson said while a return for the spearhead was not entirely ruled out, it was very unlikely he could play again this season.
He admitted Serp had become “a little Josh-centred” when Mellington was playing, “because he’s such a quality player”, but finding alternative avenues to goal since his injury had helped keep the forward line threatening.
Wilkinson said last week’s defeat was easily explained: “They’re a quality team and they played very well, and we played very poorly.
“We’re looking forward to a really good game against Bridgewater, and hopefully a really tight battle.”