The Murray Bushrangers under-18 girls finally got some reward for effort on Saturday afternoon.
After a long Coates Talent League season, the Bushrangers have broken through for their first win.
Although the Bushrangers focus more on player development throughout the year, the girls’ victory in the final round of the home and away season was an exciting moment for the group.
Having lost their first 13 matches the Bushrangers came into their round 17 clash against Bendigo Pioneers determined to finish the season on a high.
The Bushies led the match from start to finish at Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo.
After taking a six-point (13-19) lead into half-time, the Bushrangers kicked away in the third quarter to a 26-point (14-40) margin.
The Pioneers outscored the Bushies in the final term, but it was too little, too late, as the girls celebrated an impressive victory away from home.
The final score was 5.3 (33) to 7.8 (50).
Bushrangers coach Emma Mackie said it was an excellent way for the players to finish the season.
“We had spoken about how we had been making gains each week by growing and playing some really competitive football and we knew that we were really close to bringing it all together and highlighting our strengths,” Mackie said.
“For the girls to do that and get the win was really important for them, given the hard work they have put in this season.
“It’s a nice reward at the end of the day.”
Shepparton United products Leila Creevey (two touches and two tackles), Ellie Armstrong (nine touches and a goal) and Matilda Henderson (three touches) have featured in Bushies colours many times this season.
Mackie said that players such as this trio had given the Bushrangers a strong and consistent base to work from in 2024.
“I think every single player highlighted what their strength was (on the weekend),” she said.
“Some players have been real backbones in our team, like Creevey has played a really important role for us.
“Tilly (Henderson) is such a competitive player and when she gets going, she brings that pressure that we really need in that forward line.”
The Bushies coach believes that the development of Nathalia ruck Claudia Plattfuss has been one of the inspirational moments of the year.
“Claudia has been a really great story; she is an example of someone who has come into the sport who hadn’t played football,” she said.
“She is a really talented netballer.
“The gains she has made from the start of the year to now and how competitive she has been in that ruck position.
“She has been outstanding.”
A clear standout all season for the Bushrangers has been their fearless leader and star defender Holly Egan (United).
Egan had an incredible Coates Talent League season, averaging 24 touches and six tackles a game, but on Saturday, Mackie believes she produced one of her best games yet.
“Holly has been amazing,” she said.
“It has been a pleasure coaching her and having her involved and to see her develop both as a footballer and as a person and leader.
“I think she has come a long way from the start of the year to now and I think that has a lot to do with confidence for her.
“I think she finished off the season with one of her best performances, some of her stats from the game; her kicking she had 13 kicks overall and 10 were effective.”
The Bushrangers under-18 boys also won their final home and away match of the season, defeating the Bendigo Pioneers by 30 points in round 19.
The boys came into the match off the back of a 94-point victory over Western Jets, with the twin peaks up forward Jack and Matt Whitlock (Shepparton) continuing their ominous form.
Jack — awarded best-on-ground for the Bushrangers — had his highest possession count of the season, finishing with 21 disposals, nine marks and 2.1 in a well-rounded performance.
Meanwhile, Matt also produced a strong game, kicking 3.2 from his 12 touches.
Gun defender Oliver Warburton (Shepparton Swans) was the highest possession-getter on the ground, finishing the match with 24.
Tall midfielder Riley Onley (Shepparton United) was once again busy, collecting 17 touches and four inside 50s.
Shepparton’s Ned Byrne, fresh off his VFL debut for GWS, performed well, finishing with 14 disposals, four tackles and five inside 50s.
Tanner Armstrong, 16, (Rumbalara/Shepparton United) was influential in his second Coates Talent League match, kicking two goals from 13 touches.
Euroa’s Cohen Paul (six disposals) and Darby Wilson (nine) also featured in the Bushies’ final regular season match.
This weekend, the boys will play Gippsland Power in the wildcard round.