TOM Brownbridge is in career-best form as he marshals his Irymple troops from the back line.
The Swallows’ playing co-coach had a blinder in last weekend’s upset SFNL seniors’ football win against the previously unbeaten Wentworth ‘Roos.
He had the toughest match-up on the ground, going head-to-head with the competition’s leading goal scorer in Wade Hancock.
Not only did he keep the ‘Roos star goalless, but he was able to repeatedly send the team into attack as a loose man in defence when Hancock moved into the midfield.
He has also struck up a formidable defensive combination with good mate Justin Robinson, who is starring at half back after a switch earlier this month from the forward line.
Sunraysia Daily asked Brownbridge post-game on Saturday if this was as good as he’d ever played.
“Yeah, I think so. It’s a different role for me. I haven’t played this deep too much before,” he said.
“Now we’ve got Justin at half back, it frees me up to go back a bit more.”
The Swallows needed to win at the weekend to help consolidate second spot on the ladder.
With four rounds left, they are now two wins clear of third-placed Ouyen United and fourth-placed Robinvale Euston, who are level on 32 points.
Brownbridge attributes a shock defeat at the hands of the Eagles in round 11 as a turning point in the Swallows’ season.
“That loss to Robinvale really cut deep. Credit to them that they beat us, but it showed we had quite a few things to work on,” he said.
“It was probably a turning point in regards to us knowing what we had to do better. We’ve worked hard since then.
“We were almost there last week against Ouyen and it was much better today.”
He gave a glowing review of his side’s relentless pressure in the contest on Saturday.
“Our pressure was great across all three lines. Our decision-making was as good as it was against Ouyen (the previous week), but our execution was much better today,” he said.
Hancock gave a nod to Brownbridge and the Swallows post-game, but he lamented having “too many passengers” in his team.
“Tom’s a good player and they played some really good footy and rebounded really well,” Hancock said.
“But across all three lines, there was no continuity for us. We didn’t show up.”
As the Holcroft Lawyers Footballer of the Week, Brownbridge receives $125 from Holcroft Lawyers, 143 Langtree Avenue, Mildura, and is in the running to be the Holcroft Lawyers Footballer Of The Year winner.
