BRIDGEWATER coach Marc Lindsay expects it will take some time before the enormity of the club’s record-breaking flag feat begins to sink in.
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The Mean Machine created Loddon Valley Football-Netball League history on Saturday by becoming the first club to win seven flags in a row with their 19.12 (126) to 10.16 (76) victory over Mitiamo.
The win capped an unbeaten season for Lindsay in his first year as coach, and he led superbly to be among the best players in the 50-point victory.
Before the Mean Machine’s era of domination began in 2010, Calivil United (2003-2008) held what was to prove a short-lived LVFNL record of six flags in a row.
“It will be well celebrated for sure, but in terms of understanding just how big it is to get the record, that’s going to come later on,” said Lindsay, who has played in five of the seven flags.
“For now we’ll do our best to enjoy it.”
Lindsay was emotional after the win in paying tribute to the four players – Kyle Chant, Oscar McKinley, Danny Childs and Xavier Henderson – who were omitted from the side as Rick Ladson, Andrew Collins, Josh McLeod and Deon Jones all returned from suspensions.
“It’s a bit of a coaches cliche to have that depth and a good problem to have with such a competitive list, but it’s not easy to have to deliver that news to young kids who have played upwards of 16 games,” Lindsay said.
“The boys all handled it really well and it’s a credit to them.”
The four omitted from the senior side all played in the Mean Machine’s reserves premiership team.
The AFL Victoria Country Medal for best on ground was won by Mean Machine captain Zeb Broadbent.
“Zeb was fantastic again today like he has been all year. He did all our grunt work, was hard-running and it’s great he could cap off a superb year,” Lindsay said.
Bridgewater has won its seven flags in a row by a combined 489 points.