General News
11 July, 2024
Vital percentage booster for Mean Machine
By GARY WALSH THE RESULT of last Saturday’s clash between Inglewood and Bridgewater seemed almost an afterthought given the Mean Machine’s star forward Lachlan Sharp’s bid to reach a century of goals in just 11 games. But in the end it was...
By GARY WALSH
THE RESULT of last Saturday’s clash between Inglewood and Bridgewater seemed almost an afterthought given the Mean Machine’s star forward Lachlan Sharp’s bid to reach a century of goals in just 11 games.
But in the end it was a significant outcome and a decent percentage boost for Bridgewater, which ran out 102-point winners over a Blues side that never gave up the fight.
Pyramid Hill’s win over unbeaten Marong has opened up the Loddon Valley premiership race, with next Saturday’s round pitting the Bulldogs against the Mean Machine, and the Panthers against Bears Lagoon Serpentine in crucial top-four match-ups.
Inglewood came out of the blocks strongly with the first goal of the game, but by quarter-time Bridgewater had established a four-goal lead that only increased as the match wore on.
Sharp, who needed nine goals to reach 100 for the season, looked likely to get there quickly when he kicked the Mean Machine’s first two majors early in the first quarter, but a corked thigh and the tight checking of Inglewood full-back Cody Stobaus meant he had to earn his goals.
He also sparked a melee in the first term when he laid a late hip-and-shoulder on Callum March after the Blues defender kicked out following a behind.
The ensuing scuffle saw Bridgewater’s Bo Alexander yellow-carded and sent from the field for 15 minutes.
Five goals to none in the second term gave Bridgewater a 54-point half-time lead, with Sharp sitting on four goals.
He kicked another two in the third quarter, although struggling with his thigh injury, as his side stretched the margin to 68 points.
Two quick goals saw Sharp on 99 for the season before he won a dubious high tackle free against Stobaus and brought up the century as he kicked truly from 20 metres.
A crowd invasion held up the game for a few minutes before Sharp limped from the field as his team pushed on to a massive win.
Despite giving up nine goals, Stobaus was among Inglewood’s best along with centre half-forward Mitch Conlan, whose strong marking was a highlight, Luke Matheson, Sam Gorrie and Deklan Gorrie, who kicked two of the Blues’ eight goals.
Joseph Mayes and Jack Neylon starred for Bridgewater, with Lee Coghlan and youngster Darcy Wood also prominent, while Alexander had a strong game despite being sent off.