THE fall-out from three successive losses spilt over at Wodonga last night when assistant coach Robbie Jackson dropped a bombshell by announcing his retirement and star full-forward Darren Bradshaw was axed.
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An emotional Jackson told teammates during training at John Flower Oval his form no longer warranted selection and he believed it was in the Bulldogs’ best interests to play a younger player in the charge to the Ovens and Murray finals.
Jackson, 33, said he had been toying with the idea for several weeks after struggling to settle into a position for most of the season.
“It was very hard telling the boys because it’s an emotional thing,” Jackson said.
“But after talking to Twitty (coach Jarrod Twitt) tonight I thought that it was the right thing to do as it gives another young player a chance to play senior football.
“My form hasn’t been what I would have liked and, although it wasn’t easy, I think I have made the right decision.”
Jackson, who played more than 200 matches for home club Wagga Tigers and 40 for Hay, brought up his 50th match for Wodonga this season and has missed only one game in his three years at the club.
He coached the Ovens and Murray to interleague success against the Goulburn Valley at Shepparton in May.
Bulldog selectors finally ran out of patience with Bradshaw after the key forward failed to kick a goal against North Albury last weekend and managed only two and one against Wodonga Raiders and Albury respectively.
It was the second time Bradshaw has been dropped this season after he was omitted for disciplinary reasons earlier in the home and away series.
Wodonga, which is fighting to keep Corowa-Rutherglen at bay for the double chance, also lost Jimmy Vogel due to injury and dropped Joel Wilson for its crunch match against Lavington at Lavington Panthers Oval.
Heath Ohlin, Zac Jones, Steve Murray and Chris Lewis were promoted.
Lavington couldn’t consider Andrew Dess because of injury and lost Simon Bunyan through suspension.
O&M round 15 teams — page 60 Pigeon coach’s frustration — page 62
