Bridges proud of his time at club despite sudden end to the season

The reigning premiers’ season is over, as is the tenure of coach Jake Bridges. He reflects on his time at the club.

East Point coach Jake Bridges hopes his time and success as coach of the club can lead to future success for years to come.

Bridges’ time as coach ended last weekend with the Kangaroos losing by one point to Darley in the elimination final in the Ballarat Football Netball League.

East Point fell short despite having all the momentum in the last quarter.

Keeping Darley to just two points, the Kangaroos themselves wasted chances, kicking one goal and seven behinds to almost keep their season alive.

“When you kick five goals 17 behinds, you can’t win doing that,” Bridges said.

“But our effort and energy and never say die (attitude) was there.”

East Point spend most of the game trying to claw back Darley after the Devils led at quarter time and by 18 points at one stage during the second term.

East Point coach Jake Bridges is leaving after six years at the club. Picture: Red Photos / Adam Cornell.

Bridges said the three quarter time speech, which was his last at the club, was all about reinforcing what has been worked on at his time at the club.

But it wasn’t enough.

“It was a good game of football but never nice to lose like that,” Bridge said.

“But you have to be humble in victory and gracious in defeat.”

Bridges has coached the club for six years, winning two premierships in 2018 and 2019.

He leaves as the only coach to win a premiership for the merged club, which formed from Golden Point and Ballarat East.

The coach hopes his tenure has been able to help create a culture which can stand the test of time.

Naturally though, the premierships are among the highlights.

“The premierships, the outcome, it’s more the people around the club,” Bridges said.

“My dad was involved at Golden Point and uncle was involved at East Ballarat, I saw the history of both clubs.

“All I wanted to do was unite the club and create a culture the club can build from.

“That was my goal as coach.”

So what is next for the two-time premiership coach?

Jake Bridges (right) lifts the premiership cup after winning the 2019 grand final. Picture: Red Photos / Adam Cornell.

He’s unsure as yet but the first port of call is spending time with his family.

“Leading Teams is the business I’m involved in and it’s to do with elite sport,” Bridges said.

“It’s challenging to be working in an elite sport environment (with the job) if I’m coaching.

“So who knows if there will be opportunities there.

“But the timing is right with my kids being nine, eight and two.

“My wife Kylie has been an amazing support and she is keen to play netball and is close to playing 200 games, so that is a goal with the family.

“So it’s time I spend more time with my family.”