BRIDGEWATER’S young captain Harry McKinley has escaped serious injury after a clash in the second half against Maiden Gully saw him taken to hospital by ambulance.
McKinley was battling for the ball when he copped an accidental elbow to the face, raising fears he had dislocated or, worse, fractured his jaw.
Scans showed only severe bruising, but McKinley is in some doubt for the Mean Machine’s next match against Inglewood a week after the Easter bye.
Maiden Gully took it up to one of the premiership favourites in a hard-fought clash, leading at quarter-time and trailing by just eight points at the main break.
Bridgewater pushed its lead out to 21 points at the last change before a six goals to two final quarter resulted in a 46-point win.
Coach Lachlan Sharp kicked nine goals for the Mean Machine, which tops the ladder after two rounds in what is turning out to be a highly competitive Loddon Valley season. The 16.14 (110) to 9.10 (64) win was led by midfielder Luke Ellings, who has proved a revelation since his move from Kangaroo Flat with two best-on-ground performances.
The ever-reliable Jack Neylon, Joel Green, Tom McKinley and Sharp were also among the Bridgewater best.
Maiden Gully sprang a surprise in handing a debut to former Brisbane and Essendon player Damien Cupido.
The ultimate journeyman, having played with almost 40 different clubs throughout Australia, South Africa-born Cupido kicked 39 AFL goals for the Bombers in 2003, including five goals against Collingwood on Anzac Day.
At 43 years of age, he can still find the goals, kicking two for the Eagles on Saturday.
Daniel Russell was best for Maiden Gully, and other standouts were Mitch Whitham, Grayson Brown and Tyler James, who kicked four goals.
- GARY WALSH