BRIDGEWATER has suffered a major injury to a key player, compounding a bad afternoon for the Mean Machine against reigning premiers Marong.
After looking in the first weeks of the season like the likely key challenger to the three-time flag winners, Bridgewater fell by 54 points at home to the Panthers.
And in the process the Mean Machine lost Tom McKinley with a fractured foot late in the first quarter when he was accidentally trodden on by an opposition player.
McKinley has broken several metatarsal bones and there are fears his season may be over.
Marong’s return to its best form in the last three weeks, after a first-up scare from much-improved Inglewood, has shown the gap in class between the Panthers and the chasing pack.
Bridgewater looked lively in the first quarter, with coach Lachlan Sharp prominent up forward with two goals and trailed by only seven points at the break.
However, Marong slammed on five goals in the second term to Bridgewater’s one and established a 35-point lead at half-time that the Mean Machine never looked like overrunning.
The Panthers should have won by more, with 34 scoring shots to 15 illustrating the gap in class between the two sides on the day.
They controlled the midfield battle and won the clearances, and their slick ball movement, foot speed and pressure forced Bridgewater to hurry its disposals.
Marong’s relentless defensive press was squeezing the ground and not giving the Mean Machine any space to move.
Captain Nathan Devanny was best for the Panthers, and kicked three crucial goals. Others to shine included ruckman Michael Bradbury, pacy rover Jimmy Gadsden and last year’s best-and-fairest winner Matt Willox.
Brothers Oscar (four goals) and Harry McKinley stood out for Bridgewater, with Sharp (two goals) and in-form midfielder Luke Ellings well held by their opponents.
Last season’s top four will clash in round five, with Marong at home to Serpentine, and Pyramid Hill hosting Bridgewater.