Former Essendon and Brisbane star Damian Cupido top scored for the Murray side, booting two goals, but the league general manager Dale Norman said they were left ruing missed opportunities.

“We were very competitive in the first quarter,” he said.

“And I thought we had the bulk of play, we just didn’t capitalise on the scoreboard.

“But maybe if we’d kicked four or five goals we’d have had a different mindset.

“As it was they got a run on — they were very quick and very slick through the midfield.

“Luke Crane kicked four goals and the bulk of those would have been in that second quarter.”

After regrouping at the main break, Hampden resumed from where they left off.

“They got a bit of a break at half time and just came out better,” Norman said.

“They were a very good unit.”

Nevertheless, Norman said there were many positives to take out of the game.

Justin Terlich was named Murray’s best on ground for his efforts through the middle of the ground.

“Ricky Thomson from Tongala is a very tough midfielder and tried his heart out all day,” Norman said.

“And Levi Power off half back had good run and carry, every time he got the ball he tried to set up play and was very impressive.”

“Tom Nihill was our rising star last year and he was good through the middle too.

“So there were lots of positives to come out of it and hopefully some of those guys get recognised for AFL Victoria selection.”

Norman said the match in Warrnambool marked three of four years on the road in inter-league challenges, with Murray racking up close to 3000km. “We’ve had a very tough fixture, probably the toughest of all the AFL Victoria leagues,” he said.

“We’ll be lobbying very hard to ensure we have home games — I don’t think it’s fair for us to have had to travel 3000km in three of the last four years.”

Travel, Norman said, that had hindered the league’s ability to attract players.

“You lament the fact that there was only one player from the top three clubs in the league,” he said.

“To be successful at this level you need to share the load, and you need those higher ranked clubs providing the bulk of the team.

“We had nine players from Rumbalara — I loved their passion, they tried their best, but that’s too many from one team.

“It’s credit to those that did play, and despite the loss they still enjoyed themselves.