Bridge focused on getting to 250
Mark Bridge will take a step nearer to a big final milestone in his career when he plays in Western Sydney's meeting with Brisbane Roar.
The 33-year-old has already announced that this season will be his last but he came through his long-awaited return from injury in last weekend's 1-1 draw with Perth Glory.
After facing the Roar he will be just two games shy of the 250-appearance mark in the A-League.
Bridge would become just the 10th player to reach that landmark in the competition and he is delighted to be able to get back to action after suffering three separate calf injuries.
"Just getting involved in the match-day squad before I even got on the pitch was unbelievable ... it was a long time and I'm glad to be back," he said, while admitting he'd been very sore after his 13-minute outing against the league leaders.
"It will kill me if I don't get to 250 games, it's such a big milestone for a player. It would be something that when I looked back on my career it would be the only negative thing I can think of."
Bridge, who has scored in Grand Finals for Newcastle Jets in 2008 and Sydney FC in 2010, says he feels fortunate to be able to bow out on his own terms.
"I could have gone another season but I was thinking, 'is it worth it, what input am I going to have for another year, do I have to uproot my family?'" added the Sydney-born striker, who won the Asian Champions League with Wanderers in 2014. "You have to think about your family more than yourself at this point."
Western Sydney are 11/8 to win their next game against Brisbane Roar, who are 13/8 with the draw 14/5. Wanderers are 12/1 to win 1-0.
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Mark Bridge will take a step nearer to a big final milestone in his career when he plays in Western Sydney's meeting with Brisbane Roar.
The 33-year-old has already announced that this season will be his last but he came through his long-awaited return from injury in last weekend's 1-1 draw with Perth Glory.
After facing the Roar he will be just two games shy of the 250-appearance mark in the A-League.
Bridge would become just the 10th player to reach that landmark in the competition and he is delighted to be able to get back to action after suffering three separate calf injuries.
"Just getting involved in the match-day squad before I even got on the pitch was unbelievable ... it was a long time and I'm glad to be back," he said, while admitting he'd been very sore after his 13-minute outing against the league leaders.
"It will kill me if I don't get to 250 games, it's such a big milestone for a player. It would be something that when I looked back on my career it would be the only negative thing I can think of."
Bridge, who has scored in Grand Finals for Newcastle Jets in 2008 and Sydney FC in 2010, says he feels fortunate to be able to bow out on his own terms.
"I could have gone another season but I was thinking, 'is it worth it, what input am I going to have for another year, do I have to uproot my family?'" added the Sydney-born striker, who won the Asian Champions League with Wanderers in 2014. "You have to think about your family more than yourself at this point."
Western Sydney are 11/8 to win their next game against Brisbane Roar, who are 13/8 with the draw 14/5. Wanderers are 12/1 to win 1-0.
Source: bet365.com
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