LVFNL 2018: Bridgewater Machine determined to reclaim top title

LAST YEAR: 2nd – 13-6

SO long the hunted in the Loddon Valley league, this year Bridgewater becomes one of the hunters.

On the back of seven-consecutive premierships between 2010 and 2016, the Mean Machine were last year beaten grand finalists by Calivil United.

New coach Dale Cameron says he couldn’t be more impressed at the ferocity in which the Mean Machine has attacked the pre-season as it aims to reclaim its mantle at the top.

“There’s a real determination within the group and I’ve been amazed at not only the competitive work we’ve been doing at training and the ruthlessness in their tackling, but also their cleanness with the ball,” Cameron said.

“I know they were already at a good standard, but it has been a real eye-opener just to see how they go about it.”

Zeb Broadbent, Marc Lindsay and Rick Ladson are departures from the grand final team of last year.

Seven-time premiership player Brad Rohde returns as both assistant coach and captain after playing in a flag at Strathfieldsaye last year, while recruit Shaun Everington looms as one of the most damaging midfielders in the competition.

The recruits also include a new ruckman in Alex Powell.