It was close, but no cigar for the Murray Bushrangers girls at the weekend.
The Bushrangers burst to life in the last two quarters after not kicking a goal in the first half of their match against Greater Western Victoria Rebels.
The Bushrangers, who have had a tough 2024 season with zero wins from nine games, kicked the only two goals of the second half as they came charging back against the Rebels.
However, it was too little, too late for the Bushrangers, who fell seven points short of a talented Rebels side that is on the hunt for a spot in finals.
The match was played on Saturday afternoon at Highgate Recreation Reserve in Melbourne’s north.
Shepparton United product Matilda Henderson hit the scoreboard for the Bushrangers, kicking one goal for the match (her third for the season).
Fellow United star and Bushrangers captain Holly Egan (recently selected in Victoria Country’s squad for the upcoming national championships) was at her usual productive best.
Egan had 21 disposals, nine tackles and three inside 50s to once again feature among the best for the Bushrangers — Egan has achieved this feat for five out of her eight games in Bushrangers colours this season.
Other United players selected in the Bushrangers side were Leila Creevey and Payten Johnston (six tackles), who contributed to their team’s comeback performance.
On Sunday afternoon, Victoria Country took on Western Australia in the Under-18 National Championships at Claremont Oval in Perth.
The Goulburn Valley had a few football products on display for AFL recruiters to marvel at, with key position player Jack Whitlock impressing with 18 disposals.
Meanwhile, Jack’s twin brother Matt took four marks and had 10 touches.
Benalla product Joe Berry was a strong contributor to Vic Country’s 11-point win over the Sandgropers, finishing the match with two goals and 13 disposals.
Shepparton Swans’ Oliver Warburton backed up his impressive effort against South Australia three weeks earlier with another strong performance, collecting 22 disposals.
The young gun Goulburn Valley footballers’ next opportunity to impress will be against the Allies in Ipswich on Sunday.