The Murray Bushrangers boys have continued an impressive run of form in the Coates Talent League this season after they claimed a convincing 29-point win over Geelong Falcons on Sunday.
The Bushrangers now sit in third place on the ladder after seven matches, with a number of Goulburn Valley young guns impressing in the black, purple and gold.
Against high-quality opposition in the Falcons (who sit second on the ladder) at Highgate Recreation Reserve in Craigieburn, the Bushrangers were dominant from the outset, kicking 2.5 to 1.1 in the first quarter.
The Bushrangers’ lead then grew consistently throughout the match and should have been bigger had they been able to kick straight, with the final score finishing 8.15 (63) to 5.4 (34).
Bushrangers coach Mark Brown was proud of how his side bounced back from its last clash against the Falcons in round three; that match finished 107-56 in the Falcons’ favour.
“I was impressed with our ability to put Geelong under pressure for the full 100 minutes,” he said.
“They exposed us in round three when they got us by about 50 points in Ballarat; they put us under intense pressure and made us make mistakes.
“To be able to flip that script on the weekend and do to them what they were able to do to us in round three was really pleasing and shows the boys are learning and improving, which is all it is about for us.”
First-round AFL draft prospects Jack Whitlock (13 disposals and two marks) and Matt Whitlock (nine disposals and four marks) were impactful forward of the football for the Bushrangers, with the towering 200cm twin brothers kicking 2.2 apiece.
Brown said he thinks their connectivity in the forward line is a big advantage for the Bushrangers.
“Traditionally, Matt has played as a key back and he did in the first three games of the season; we are conscious that Matt and Jack have scope to play at either end,” he said.
“This is the second time they have played forward together and they have got a good synergy straight away, which is not surprising.
“They traditionally don’t fly for the same ball, which I like.
“When they are both in our front half and are our two key forwards, I think it sets us up really well.”
Murray Bushrangers’ leading goal-kickers after seven matches
Joe Berry (Wangaratta): 21 goals (seven games)
Matt Whitlock: 13 goals (seven games)
Josh Murphy (North Albury): 11 goals (three games)
Jack Whitlock: 10 goals (five games)
Shepparton young bull Ned Byrne continues to impress in his debut season for the Bushrangers, collecting 27 disposals, five marks and six inside 50s against the Falcons.
Brown was excited by the distinct signs of growth from Euroa’s Darby Wilson (18 touches) and Shepparton Swans’ Mitch Grumley (21 touches and six inside 50s), among others.
“Darby Wilson from Euroa ... I thought his game was exceptionally good on the weekend, as was Max Mahoney, who is a Mansfield boy,” he said.
“Mitch on the wing played his best game for the year and he has had a slow start to the season, but once again, he continues to seek feedback, he continues to try and get better.
“We always thought Ned would be a good player at this level as he has got elite endurance, he is a competitive and tough kid.
“What has probably pleasantly surprised us is how clean he has been and how good his ball use has been and how quickly he has embraced the standard; his form has been as good as anyone over his first four games.
“He was really good on the weekend and the elements of his game that we have been working on started to come to the fore, so it was just reward for him.”
The Whitlock boys will now spend the week preparing for their next opportunity to impress recruiters when they play in Vic Country’s opening match of the Under-18 National Championships against South Australia at IKON Park on Sunday.
Other Bushrangers to make the squad include Oliver Warburton (Shepparton Swans), Cohen Paul (Euroa) and Riley Onley (Shepparton United).
Murray Bushrangers’ under-19 girls’ round nine match against the Northern Territory Academy was a tight contest, with Shepparton United’s Holly Egan again impressing.
The match was also held at Highgate Recreation Reserve on Sunday afternoon, with the Bushrangers’ inaccuracy arguably costing them the win.
The final scoreline finished 0.6 (6) to 3.2 (20) in Northern Territory’s favour.
United’s Egan was at her usual productive best for the Bushrangers, collecting 29 disposals, three inside 50s, four rebound 50s and three tackles.
Some of United’s other Bushrangers representatives include Leila Creevey (seven disposals), Payten Johnston (nine) and Matilda Henderson (seven), who were solid contributors for their side.
The Bushrangers’ next opportunity for their first win of the season is their round 10 match against the Tassie Devils at Highgate Recreation Reserve.
Under-16 Bushranger Tanner Armstrong (Shepparton United) has been selected in the under-16 Vic Country boys’ state team for the upcoming National Championships across June-July.