BRIDGEWATER’S potent forward line will be put to the test in Saturday’s qualifying final against Pyramid Hill – both by the Bulldogs and potentially by the Marist College oval on which the game will be played.
The surface of Maiden Gully’s home ground is notoriously heavy and slippery after rain, which is forecast for late in the week, including on match day.
While centurion Lachlan Sharp and fellow Mean Machine forward Oscar McKinley are in rare form, adverse conditions could limit their impact.
Sharp has kicked 34 goals in the past three matches, with McKinley booting 10 last week against Mitiamo, so quelling their influence is critical if the Bulldogs are to win.
Bridgewater coach Sharp, who hit the 100-goal mark for the season against the Superoos, was effusive in his praise for McKinley, who is based on the Gold Coast and has been available for only eight games in 2025.
“He has been fantastic for us this year,” Sharp said.
“He is one of those players you love to play with.
“Oscar has really been a pillar for us, and I’m looking forward to the next month and him playing some really good footy.”
Pyramid Hill coach Nathan Fitzpatrick said the Bulldogs would field close to a full side this week, with ruckman Lachlan Sidebottom among the likely inclusions. He said almost half of the team to feature on Saturday did not play in last season’s losing grand final.
Boggy ground conditions would not favour either side, in Fitzpatrick’s view.
“They have bulls in the midfield and nippy outside players as well, and so do we,” he said.
Bridgewater and Pyramid Hill have split their meetings this year, with the Bulldogs winning by 41 points in round five, and the Mean Machine by 56 points in round 14.
That round-five loss was Bridgewater’s most recent defeat, with the side embarking on an 11-game winning streak that has included four by more than 100 points and an average margin just shy of 90 points.
Pyramid Hill has struggled to replace the league’s best defender, Tom McGregor, who moved to the Mallee Eagles in the Central Murray league this season.
However, the arrival of high-leaping ruck-forward Kai Daniels has given the Bulldogs’ onball division a huge boost with his elite tap work. He has also averaged almost a goal a game while resting forward.
Sharp was wary of Daniels’ potential impact, describing him as having been “pivotal” for Pyramid.