Sport
11 July, 2026
The plan falls in place for Mean Machine
BRIDGEWATER has surged into second place on the Loddon Valley A Grade netball ladder, and the Mean Machine now may be tough to move from that prime position.
BRIDGEWATER has surged into second place on the Loddon Valley A Grade netball ladder, and the Mean Machine now may be tough to move from that prime position.
A big win over Inglewood, 61-28, saw them leap from fourth to second, while the Blues tumbled from third to fifth.
Inglewood is hanging on to its finals spot only thanks to its draw with Marong the previous week, with Pyramid Hill half a game behind and with a superior percentage.
Bridgewater was always in control at Inglewood and ran amok in the second half, scoring 33 goals to 11.
Inglewood shooter Aleisha Shay has caused enormous issues for defenders all season with her height, but Mean Machine coach Lou Dupuy took on the role this week and quelled Shay’s influence with her strength and sure ball-handling.
At the other end of the court, the sister act of goalers Nat and Dannielle Flood was in fine form, with the accuracy of their shooting in recent weeks making Bridgewater’s attack the most threatening in the league apart from top team Mitiamo.
Dupuy said she was impressed by the way Bridgewater’s defensive unit performed.
“Things fell into place and our consistency and mid-court connection into our goal ring was good,” she said.
Goal shooter Nat Flood was named the team’s best along with centre Phoebe Henderson, who had the tough job against Inglewood coach Dani O’Toole.
“Phoebe is a young player who has come a long way this season, and she took on the contest and didn’t get over-awed against such a strong player,” Dupuy said.
Bridgewater meets eighth-placed Bears Lagoon Serpentine this week, with Inglewood looking to get back on track against winless Macorna.
- GARY WALSH
Read More: Bridgewater, Inglewood