PROFILE
With joint coaches at the helm, the Maroons will be going all out as they attempt to break back into the top five this season.
Despite finishing last season seventh on the ladder, with a five-win, eleven loss record, Newbridge came home with a wet sail, winning two of their last three games. That included a three-point victory over grand finalists Bridgewater, proving that their best is at least good enough to be competitive with the best.
While the Maroons were competitive to end the season, they still opted for change at the top – with that change arriving in the form of playing coach Sam Gale and non-playing coach Daniel Smith. Both Gale and Smith have previously coached Harcourt, with the latter leading his former side to back-to-back premierships in 2006-07.
With Newbridge having languished down in the bottom half of the ladder for the past few seasons, Gale acknowledged that the Maroons were coming from a long way back in 2023, but was confident that a change in style would always bring about a change of fortunes.
“We’re hoping to change everyone’s perceptions a little bit about the way we’ve been playing our footy these last couple of years – this year we’ll be one of the toughest sides out there,” Gale said.
“We’re going to be pretty big – a few of the guys we’ve brought in are bigger bodies, but offensively we’re going to play a bit more run and gun footy.
“We really want to be getting the ball into the hands of our better ball users more often and then defensively, it’s all about manic pressure and being disciplined.”
While 2021 club Best & Fairest Harry Whittle has departed, along with Ryan Burt, Brandon Etherington and last year’s captain Patrick Andrews, Newbridge have picked up some handy replacements – with Campbells Creek Best & Fairest Dylan Stevens the pick of them. While Stevens will join Caleb Sanders, Will Daly and Gale in rotating through the midfield, the Maroons key position stocks will also be considerably stronger, with the arrivals Dom Makur, Dave Romer and ruckman Angus Fortune.
FROM THE COACH
“We’re expecting to play finals, obviously Marong and Pyramid Hill will be hard to beat, but if we can get into the finals then anything can happen.”
KEY PLAYER
Dylan Stevens
Attacking midfielder who comes to the Maroons with massive wraps. Won Campbells Creek’s Best & Fairest, as well as leading their goal kicking last season.
IN’S & OUT’S
IN’S
Dominic Makur (Clunes) Ruck/Key Position
Angus Fortune (Harcourt) Ruck/Forward returning
Dylan Stevens (Campbells Creek) Midfielder won three senior B&F in a row
Dave Romer (Kyneton) Key Position Defender/Forward
Matt Geary
Rylan Hipworth (Wandella)
Brady Treacy (Wandella)
OUT’S
Harry Whittle (Huntly)
Ryan Burt (Huntly)
Brandon Etherington
Patrick Andrews
