Bell Park star Ollie Bridgewater suffers broken leg in VFL trial with Werribee

This big man’s VFL call-up turned ugly after an unfortunate injury. But his Dragons coach believes he still has the tools to play VFL footy.

Ollie Bridgewater is set for a stint on the sidelines. Picture: Mike Dugdale

Bell Park sensation Ollie Bridgewater may be sidelined for half of the Geelong league season after he suffered a broken leg in a VFL practice match, with his Dragons coach hopeful the door isn’t closed on his state league ambitions.

Bridgewater had been called up to trial for VFL reigning premiers Werribee against Frankston on Friday evening with fellow Hampden turned Geelong league rucks Ben Kellett (South Barwon) and Tylar Watts (Leopold) both out injured.

The 24-year-old has undergone surgery and the early prognosis suggests he will be sidelined for the next three to four months in a blow to the Dragons’ finals hopes.

Bell Park coach James Saker said it is an unfortunate setback for the promising ruck who finished third in the Dragons’ best and fairest in 2024 from just 12 games – named in the best in 10 of them – in his first GFNL season.

GFL. Bell Park v South Barwon at Hamlyn Park. Bell Park's Ollie Bridgewater takes a strong mark in defence. Picture: Mike Dugdale

“Ollie is very resilient, very tough, very fit young man, so I think he will be doing everything he can to push (the three or four month) limit,” Saker said.

“I think he will need a bit of time for it to heal initially and then worry about going back to playing footy after that.

“It was somewhat of a trial (with Werribee). Which is disappointing that he got an opportunity and then faith intervened, but I’m sure they’ll work closely with him throughout the rehab.

“Hopefully the door is not fully closed on Ollie playing VFL footy.”

“I think it is going to be one of those ones where an opportunity may have presented for Ollie but I’ll guess we’ll never know.”

An assistant coach at Werribee in 2022, Saker feels Bridgewater has all the tools to become a consistent VFL player.

“I think he has definitely got the right attributes, such a competitor and such a physical presence. In that system I think the VFL could have suited his talent for sure. Just disappointing for Ollie that he won’t get to find out,” Saker said.

“I think it would have been wonderful for him to get some exposure to some finer craft detail with his ruck and bodywork which would help his development at that level.

“But his athleticism and competitiveness would have seen him go a long way at that level I think.”

Bell Park picked up ruck-forward Oliver Hicks from Canberra club Ainslie to help shoulder the ruck load, but he is expected to feature more prominently while Bridgewater is injured.

“We have got a few different options and we’ve got plenty of time to work on some combinations and all that sort of stuff. But I think the thought of maybe getting Ollie back towards the back-end of the year with Oliver Hicks up and running, that’d be really nice,” Saker said.

In better news, former AFL-listed Cat Osca Riccardi has had a full pre-season under his belt with Geelong VFL and Bell Park after being placed in an induced coma in June last year with a sudden brain infection.

Incredibly, the son of Geelong great Peter Riccardi returned to play the last four matches of the season with Bell Park.

“He is going really well… He is fit and firing and he is looking forward to a really good season,” Saker said.

“He has been guided very closely by the Cats medical team and as far as I’m aware it is full steam ahead for him.

“If we get his services it’s a bonus, but we are not counting on that.”

Originally published as Bell Park star Ollie Bridgewater suffers broken leg in VFL trial with Werribee