Win ‘fantastic reward’ for the Bushies

In a confidence-boosting match the Bushies managed to hold on against the resurgence of the Gippsland Power for a thrilling three-point win, to finish the game 10.7 (67) to 8.16 (64).

“The boys were ecstatic (at the end of the game), running around like headless chooks,” coach Darren Ogier said.

“But there were 22 contributors out there and to get the victory was fantastic reward for effort.

“Dylan was ecstatic as you would be and certainly very relieved — it was enormous for him and for us in the context of the whole season.

“It shows what a fine line it is between winning and losing.”

It was a game that often saw that line blurred as both sides took the lead at various times throughout the game.

Both sides were depleted too, with duties taking Bushrangers for nationals carnivals, camps and Vic Country, forcing nine changes to the side.

“Admittedly they also had six or seven out but I’m not worried about that, I’m worried about what our boys did when they came in,” Ogier said.

“And they contributed well and played their role which is what we want them to do.

“It was a fantastic effort and the boys who came in did an enormous job.

“We had three debutantes and they also worked really hard to have an impact and play their role which was tremendous.”

Jake Sharp captained the side for the day and ably led the Bushrangers from the front.

Meanwhile, Jack Crowe was one of the few negatives for the day going off the ground for X-rays with a suspected broken wrist.

But it all came down to the final term where it looked as though the Power might overwhelm the Bushrangers.

“The last quarter they got away from us a bit and had a lot of forward entries,” Ogier said.

“To our boys’ credit the pressure we put them under caused them to kick inaccurately.

“We had been up at three-quarter-time all we could do was hope the boys could dig deep and create opportunities ... it was a great win.”