The Wanderers' Bridge to success

On the cusp of Asian triumph, I would like to dedicate an article to one of Western Sydney Wanderers’ forgotten heroes, midfielder Mark Bridge.

Although lacking the explosiveness of Tomi Juric and trickery of Brazilian Victor Saba, it’s the shoulders of Bridge that the Wanderers’ success on Sunday morning in Saudi Arabia will rely on most.

A burden he has carried successfully for the past two years.

Mark Bridge is a no-frills footballer who has been with the A-League since its debut in 2005. Playing 50 games for the Newcastle Jets, Bridge managed a solid 13 goals before switching to Sydney FC.

Plying his trade as a left winger and striker, Bridge again proved instrumental, chipping in 17 goals over 80 games as he helped Sydney claim their second championship in 2010.

Bridge scored Sydney’s only goal in the final 1-1 draw against arch-rivals Melbourne Victory that Sydney took out on penalties. Leading up to this, Bridge had already struck twice in the finals series, proving himself as a goalscorer.

Despite a successful career at Sydney, Bridge jumped at the opportunity to return home when the Wanderers were formed in 2012. Having played for the Parramatta Eagles in his youth and played five games for the Power, Parramatta Stadium welcomed him with open arms when he signed for the Red and Black before their inaugural season.

Bridge was an integral part of the foundation side, linking up regularly with marquee Shinji Ono and scoring when loveable Dino Kresinger simply couldn’t. It was Bridge after all that scored the Wanderers’ first ever goal in Round 4 up at Brisbane.

Since this successful first season, Bridge has been a regular first team starter, accumulating 55 games for the Wanderers and an impressive 17 goals. The third most capped Wanderer, Bridge, despite regularly playing in midfield, is the Wanderers’ highest goalscorer.

Bridge is often far from the headlines when the Wanderers claim a win, and was again ignored for his efforts on Saturday night in their first leg win against Al Hilal.

Statistically speaking, Bridge had a quiet game, managing only 23 touches, 13 passes, one shot and one tackle. But from the sidelines Bridge was never far from the action. In an attacking midfield role, he was challenging every goal kick, compensating for a short and injured Brendan Santalab, as he tried to turn possession and momentum in favour of the Wanderers.

Often unsuccessful, it was his niggling for ball possession that turned the match the Wanderers’ way. Persistent in his efforts, Bridge prevented Al Hilal becoming comfortable on the ball, meaning despite maintaining 66 per cent possession, most of it involved runs away from a chasing Bridge, rather than meaningful build-up play.

The Wanderers’ number 19 gave it his all on Saturday night, and I didn’t see him slow down once for the full 90 minutes. As always he occupied the role of Mr Reliable, chasing the ball down when teammates were preoccupied ruing missed opportunities.

After all, Bridge has mastered the simple yet hard art of involving himself in the game rather than sitting back and watching it; something that far too many players are guilty of.

Mark Bridge has truly acted as the proverbial ‘bridge’ to Wanderers’ success in their first few seasons. Determined, hard-working and with Aussie spirit in spades, the man has proved crucial in leading the Wanderers over the sea of troubles a new club often faces.

The number 19 will again prove crucial as the Wanderers travel to the discriminating reaches of Saudi Arabia in search of Asian success. Hopefully he will be able to bridge the disadvantaged gap an away final poses for the Wanderers.

And if so, there are plenty of bridges in Parramatta just waiting for the name ‘Mark Bridge’ to honour his enormous contribution to the Wanderers and Australian football.