Lachlan Sharp joins Bridgewater as coach
One of country footy’s best forwards is set for the next challenge of his career after taking on a co-coaching role alongside a former AFL player.
In a major coup for the Loddon Valley league, leading Bendigo league goalkicker Lachlan Sharp will join Bridgewater as playing coach.
It’s the end of an era for Strathfieldsaye with one of their favourite sons leaving after 14 years to join the Mean Machine.
Sharp played 208 games for the club, is the Storm’s leading goalkicker of all time with 910 goals and is a three-time Bendigo league leading goalkicker.
He also played in four premierships and six grand finals for the club and captained the club from 2020 to this year.
The forward will now co-coach Bridgewater alongside former Hawthorn player Rick Ladson who continues in the role after being the sole coach for the past two years.
In 2022, Ladson guided the team to the Loddon Valley league grand final, losing to Marong.
The news was confirmed by Bridgewater and Strathfieldsaye who paid tribute to their former player.
“It is with a heavy heart but support, heartfelt gratitude, and appreciation we’d like to wish Lachlan Sharp and his family all the very best as he continues his football and coaching journey elsewhere,” the club said.
“While the club will miss you greatly, we are excited to see where the journey takes you and hope it one day leads back to the Storm.”
Sharp said it was sad to go to take up a new opportunity.
“I’ll never be able to fully express the gratitude that I have for the Storm family for the past 14 years,” he said.
“From a young 17-year-old the support, advice, comfort and love shown to my family and me has shaped me into the person I am today.
“I’ll be forever grateful for the opportunity to be able to play in front of you all, as you all are the reason we play.
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“I am sad my time at Storm is over for now, but I’m even happier its happened.”
Sharp will now be another leading goalkicker in the competition with Brandyn Grenfell already part of the Loddon Valley league with Marong.
In the past two years Grenfell has kicked more than 100 goals to be one of the leading goalkickers in country footy.
Originally published as Lachlan Sharp joins Bridgewater as coach
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