It was a case of what could have been for the Murray Bushrangers at the weekend, with inaccurate kicking seeing them fall 11.8 (74) to 10.11 (71) to Dandenong Stingrays in a thriller at Shepley Oval in Dandenong.
With a win having the potential to shoot them up into the top two, the Bushies brought their trademark toughness around the contest and attacking ball movement to get on top in a number of key areas.
But they just couldn’t translate that general play dominance into scores, going down by three points despite winning the inside-50 count by three, disposals by 24 and marks by a whopping 50.
Once again standing in for senior coach Mark Brown, who was on Victoria Country duty, Bushrangers assistant Justin McMahon said conversion in front of goal made for his team’s downfall.
“It was a really good contest against a very good opposition on their home deck, we certainly created some opportunities to win the game but unfortunately we couldn’t capitalise,” McMahon said.
“We still take an enormous amount from the game, it showed that our best footy stacks up against the top teams and that gives us a lot of confidence moving forward.
“It was just some execution stuff and our ability to take our chances that cost us — but overall it was a positive day despite the result.”
Greeted with near-perfect conditions, the Bushrangers got the better of the start, kicking three early goals to take a seven-point lead into the first change.
In what was very much a free-flowing first half, both sides capitalised in the second quarter, kicking five goals apiece to show the full potential of their attacking firepower.
Leading by a solitary kick at the beginning of the second half, conversion issues began to arise for the visitors, giving Dandenong ample opportunity on the counter attack to take the lead.
Trailing by one point at the final change, the Bushies seized control around the contest but were again unable to make it count in front of the sticks, recording 0.6 to leave the door open for the Stingrays.
And it was at the 19-minute mark when the home team found a match-winning goal, with Harrison Jones’ fifth of the day seeing his team to a thrilling three-point triumph.
“I certainly couldn’t question any of the guys’ effort,” McMahon said of the way his team handled the final quarter.
“We were pressing right up until the final siren and it was locked in our forward-50 when the game ended, so it could have gone either way and unfortunately for us it wasn’t meant to be.”
Flying the flag for the Goulburn Valley, Shepparton Swans product Max Clohesy continued his strong form, racking up 17 disposals while playing a key role across half-back.
“Max was really strong, he is a super important player for us and in some great form, and his composure with ball in hand was vital for us on the weekend,” McMahon said.
“Nick Quigg was solid again, leading the way through the midfield, we have had a really good patch around the ball in recent weeks, and the boys were really challenged in there on the weekend so it was good to see Nick stand up.
“Oscar Ryan is another that is really improving as a bottom age player and he showed on the weekend he is getting more and more confident at the level.”