Zeb Broadbent and Marc Lindsay have been appointed co-coaches of MCDFNL club Natte Bealiba.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Key members of Bridgewater’s premiership success in the Loddon Valley league, Broadbent and Lindsay join the Swans after spending one season in the BFNL with Sandhurst.
They replace another former Sandhurst midfielder Jarrod Bateson as coach of Natte Bealiba.
Natte Bealiba president Darren Mortlock said the signing of Zeb’s brother Tom from Bridgewater earlier in the off-season helped pave the way for Zeb and Lindsay to join the club.
“Marc and Zeb heard that we were looking for coaches and they were keen to branch out to the next phase of their footy,’’ Mortlock said.
“We’re very happy to have them. Zeb was third in Sandhurst’s best and fairest, so he’ll be a very good player over here and Marc has coached premierships, so we’re very lucky to get them.”
Broadbent has the potential to be one of the best midfielders in the competition.
In 2016 he produced a rare feat in Loddon Valley football by winning the Harding Medal for the league best and fairest as well as earning the AFL Victoria Country Medal for best on ground in the grand final. He was also premiership captain.
Broadbent was in Sandhurst’s best four players 12 times in 19 games in 2018 and he finished third in the club best and fairest award behind Jake Pallpratt and coach Andy Collins.
Lindsay played in the 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 premierships for Bridgewater and coached the club in 2016 and 2017.
His 2018 season with Sandhurst was hampered by injuries and he played two senior games and 12 reserves matches.
After being preliminary finalists in 2016 and 2017, Natte Bealiba lost the grand final this year by 72 points to Carisbrook.
Mortlock said the Swans were well-placed to be at the pointy end of the ladder again in 2019.
“At this stage it looks like we’ve only lost one player from this year,’’ he said.
“We’ve shown that we’re not far away and it’s getting harder and harder in our competition because a number of teams who are improving fast.
“I’ve heard Navarre have recruited well and Talbot and Avoca are going well. It won’t be a two-horse race anymore.”
Related: Natte Bealiba crowned 2011 premiers
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.
