He’s the toughest bloke at the club.
Oscar Pledge supplied the enduring image of the Bull Sharks’ premiership triumph when he committed the act most revered in the game of AFL footy – backing into oncoming traffic to take the mark of his life.
It was a grand final for the ages and as such supplied many memorable moments, but Pledge’s final quarter heroics stand alone – both for its impact on the result and the equal parts courage and class on display.
The mark came in the dying minutes of the game with the scores tied and denied Coolangatta the chance to sweep the ball into their forward half in search of a match-winning score.
The Bull Sharks hung on to force the game into extra time, and then went on to win the premiership – but they had to do it without Pledge.
His day ended when he landed heavily from the inevitable contact from the desperate Coolangatta opponent and was forced from the ground under AFL concussion protocols.
“I remember feeling the ball in my hands and then I remember seeing people above me,” Pledge said.
“And I remember seeing 3:52 minutes on the scoreboard and asking when I was going back on, and one of the boys saying, ‘Nup, you’re done for the day’.
His memory may be hazy but those in the crowd who saw the mark will never forget it.
His teammates see that level of commitment every time Pledge plays.
In round three he put his body on the line in a bruising encounter with Beenleigh and walked away with a set of broken ribs.
At a function back at The Canal that night, coach Kain Ford called him the “toughest bloke at the club.’’
Vice Chancellor Tim Brailsford had already said as much in his congratulatory speech.
The Bond University Excellence Scholar has been studying a Bachelor of Laws and Commerce since he made the move to the Gold Coast from Adelaide at the start of 2023.
Originally playing at Surfers Paradise, Pledge almost hung up the footy boots at the end of last year.
But a tap on the shoulder from classmate and 2024 Riewoldt Family AFL Excellence Scholar Nicholas Francis convinced him to give the Bull Sharks a try.
“The boys said, ‘Come out and play footy with us and see if you like it’,” Pledge said.
“It’s been really great; there’s been lots of students playing this year.
“It’s been a bit unfortunate that I missed out on a lot of the season because of the ribs, but I’ve been able to stay connected with the boys through training.”
Pledge made his return to the side midway through the season and helped carry the team forward to the big dance.
“I’m really keen for next season,” he said.
“I’m pretty much going straight into training after I recover from my concussion.
“I’m keen to have a big season next year and work on my skills and injury prevention.
“I know a lot of the men are keen to stick around and build off the back of a great season.”