Sport
NAB League | Bushrangers hold off fast-finishing Giants to record first victory of the season
Murray Bushrangers registered their first win of the under-19 boys NAB League season on Friday night, holding off a fast-finishing GWS Academy side to come away with a 10.12 (72) to 10.5 (65) triumph at Lavington Sports Ground.
After being dominated around the contest in a disappointing 49-point loss to Gippsland Power in round one, the Bushies’ intensity around the ball was the key to their success, giving their forwards ample opportunity by winning the inside-50 count 55-33.
And while inaccurate kicking kept the Giants in the contest until the very end, Murray Bushrangers coach Mark Brown said he was happy to see the boys respond to the challenge he put to them during the week.
“It (the game) was a much better example of what you can achieve when your effort is at the level, and just our method as well was very pleasing,” Brown said.
“It started in the midfield, they were really strong with their positioning and work around the contest, and as a result we were plus 22 in inside 50s and when you have that type of discrepancy you tend to be in pretty good shape.
“We didn’t connect with our forwards as well as we would have liked, but that is a far better problem to have than not getting your hands on the ball, so I am very pleased to see the boys respond.”
The second quarter was particularly impressive from the Bushies boys, as they piled on three quick goals to open up a solid 15-point buffer at the main change.
But while they were in control of proceedings, wayward kicking plagued the Bushrangers in the second half, with a return of 1.5 in the third term giving the Giants an opportunity to surge in the final quarter.
“I was pleased with the fact the boys were able to respond to being challenged, but we really never should have been in that position in the first place,” Brown said.
“We probably controlled 65 per cent of the game and in the key stats we had a real ascendancy, so it was a game going into three-quarter-time we probably should have been six or seven goals up.
“Credit to GWS, they played some really attractive footy and when they got momentum in that last quarter, they took advantage and nearly pinched the win, so we still have things to work on, but the effort was the really pleasing aspect.”
In what was a solid team performance by the Bushies, Brown highlighted a couple of Goulburn Valley locals that stood out on the night.
“Nick Quigg was great for us all night, we threw him more around the ball this week compared to last, and he was clean and didn’t over-possess the footy when he got his chance while also taking some strong marks and laying some key tackles,” he said.
“Max Clohesy was really strong across half back, he is one that always gives great effort and is fearless with his attack on the ball, he also gives us some really good bounce from defence as well — it was nice to see him back up a good performance from last week.”