THE Loddon Valley football competition faces a major changing of the guard as an upgraded Bridgewater looks to turn its fifth place finish and first semi loss from 2023 into something very special in 2024.
Marong and Pyramid Hill might rule the roost in the senior competition but after its recruitment drive, the Mean Machine is looking to be exactly that.
Not only has it signed Strathfieldsaye Storm superstar forward Lachlan Sharp (he kicked 98 goals, including a season-high 14 against Kangaroo Flat in 2023), it has also picked up Sandhurst on-baller Lee Coghlan to return where his footy career began.
Both are premiership winners in the Bendigo FNL and Michelsen medallists.
And perhaps the headline act – or swansong – is dual premiership-winning coach at Bridgewater, Andy Collins, returning to the club. He won flags there in 2014 and 2015, and again as a player in 2016.
His 2023 grand final clash with Sandhurst was widely believed to have been the final game of a brilliant career but now it seems the 2015 Harding Medallist as LVFNL fairest and best is keen to play on with the Mean Machine.
The inclusion of the talented trio is a huge plus as the Rick Ladson-coached Bridgewater strives to end Marong’s run toward a premiership hat-trick.
Not only will Sharp be a focal point in the forward 50m arc, but he is also helping run the team as a co-coach.
A four-time premiership player with Storm, Sharp also earned the Ron Best Medal as league leading goalkicker three times and has won the club’s goalkicking title eight times.
Pyramid Hill went close to breaking its long-running premiership drought last September and is likely to be a strong contender once again.
Talented forward Braidy Dickens returns to Pyramid Hill after a stint with Huntly.
Mick Dundon and Brad Ladson also return to the Bulldogs squad as season 2024 looks set to be a sizzler.
