General News
21 February, 2025
THE SHARP FOCUS
By GARY WALSH BRIDGEWATER coach Lachlan Sharp wants internal growth and development of young players to catapult the Mean Machine into the Loddon Valley league’s top echelon. It may seem ironic, given that he was the league’s biggest outside...
By GARY WALSH
BRIDGEWATER coach Lachlan Sharp wants internal growth and development of young players to catapult the Mean Machine into the Loddon Valley league’s top echelon.
It may seem ironic, given that he was the league’s biggest outside signing in years when he joined from Strathfieldsaye last season but the focus is now firmly within.
It’s as much about making the Bridgewater community proud of the club and feeling connected to it as on-field success on the field.
Sharp, 34, was playing co-coach with Rick Ladson last season but takes over the reins fully in 2025. “I enjoyed being mentored by Rick last year, and now I’m finding coaching busy but very enjoyable,” he said of his solo season.
“I have had some really good coaches throughout my career, and I’ve also taken advice from some people I’ve played against.
“I am still learning football – you never stop learning. Now it’s satisfying to be the one teaching, helping, preparing.”
Sharp said the most rewarding part of his expanded role was helping to develop young players into better versions of themselves.
“When you’re playing, it’s still a team game, but watching someone develop is something that has really driven me.”
Expect a mix of last season’s players, some former stars returning to the club, players coming back from injury, and a few new signings that will be announced in the coming weeks to power the Mean Machine in the new season.
Sharp is excited by the signings of brothers Jacob and Luke Ellings.
Jacob missed last season with an ACL injury and will bolster Bridgewater’s midfield, while younger brother Luke joins from Kangaroo Flat, where he was part of the Bendigo inter-league team.
Xavier Walsh would be like a new recruit, Sharp said, on his return from injury that restricted him to seven games in 2024, while Alex Powell would rejoin the Mean Machine after playing 41 games and kicking 103 goals from 2018-21.
“There’s going to be a lot of internal growth with a lot of young guys coming through,” Sharp said.
“Kids coming through are returning for pre-season extremely fit and committed to their fitness these days.”
He named Darcy Wood as a player to look out for this season, as well as young brothers Tom and Harry McKinley, and Nic Naughton.
“They are the future of the football club.”
On field, Sharp was a raging success in 2024, kicking 128 goals despite some niggling leg issues.
Bridgewater finished third but was thrashed by Marong by 85 points in the preliminary final.
Sharp said he personally had enjoyed a strong pre-season after getting over a medial ligament injury, and was confident of still playing a key role on the field.
“I believe our best is definitely good enough, and I’m looking forward to trying to bridge the gap to the top teams.”