NEWBRIDGE
PROFILE
NEWBRIDGE co-coaches Sam Gale and Daniel Smith are looking forward to their second season in charge of the Maroons – because in many ways it will be more like a first for them.
Joining the club only in December 2022, the pair inherited a playing list all but locked in, a pre-season under way and a culture established.
Their side would finish the year at 4-12 – but that was last year.
Now the coaches have their eyes set on finals footy and recruitment has been the first big step.
Gale said that even though they lost Dylan Stevens (to Campbell Creek) and Matt Geary (returned home to Queensland) he believed the core group, plus five key new players, made Newbridge a 10 to 12-goal better side.
“We are being realistic about this, looking around and hearing the talk, you know everybody has lifted their roster and it is going to be a pretty tough season,” Gale said.
“But we reckon fifth spot is wide open in 2024 and that’s going to be our target – if we do any better we’ll take that as well.
“Our pre-season has been solid, with no fewer than 20 at every training and perhaps one of the real plusses this year is our club depth – the reserves are looking very strong as well and that will put pressure on for spots in the seniors and everyone will have to lift to stay in the side.”
Gale said a cornerstone of the club’s finals’ campaign was centred on some of the new faces in the line-up, such as Andrew Padbury, a forward with an impressive resume including VAFA, and brothers Jono and Ed Aujard, who also both played Amateurs.
Jono Aujard is a midfielder who has played TAC Cup and Ed Aujard fits anywhere between the half-back and half-forward line.
They are joined by new playing assistant coach Tyler Constable, coming from Harcourt in the Ballarat league, someone Gale rated highly, considering him to have “star potential”.
“We reckon we have a good game plan and having run the full pre-season and had that first year, the players have got used to us and have really bored down into the program and we are very positive about the season and can’t wait to get it started.”
FROM THE COACHES
“We have used our first year for us and the players to get familiar with each other and what we expect and everyone at the club has responded well to that. We have recruited players we feel will help ignite us on the field, and we have a good mix of youth and experience and there is plenty for everyone at Newbridge to be excited about.”
KEY PLAYER
Andrew Padbury: He is a real presence on the field and at full forward or centre half-forward will give Newbridge a genuine spearhead. He kicked 62 goals in a VAFA season for Old Scotch and has since played in the Eastern League and Kyabram District League.
INS & OUTS
INS: Andrew Padbury (Violet Town), Jono Aujard (Murrabit), Ed Aujard (Murrabit), Tyler Constable (Ballarat).
OUTS: Dylan Stevens (Campbells Creek), Matt Geary (Queensland).
