THE Murray Bushrangers overcame strong opposition and unfamiliar territory to bring down reigning premier Oakleigh Chargers by 22 points at Warrawee Park on Saturday.
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In one of the side’s biggest challenges this season, the Bushrangers led at every change to consolidate their position near the top of the table.
Midfielder James Cousins boosted his Victorian Country prospects with a best on ground performance.
He won plenty of the ball and drifted forward to kick two telling goals in a low-scoring match.
Ben Paton, Mason Marr and Lachie Tiziani were also effective for coach Leon Higgins.
“It was a good, solid performance by the boys,” Higgins said.
“It’s a long trip down on the bus and none of the boys had played at the venue before so to play well against good opposition in those circumstances is pleasing.
“The boys had a lot of things to overcome and they did a good job.”
The Bushrangers led by two or three goals for most of the match and controlled play well when rain started to fall in the final quarter.
Jordon Butts and Harry Boyd also came under notice for the victors.
Jack Roughsedge, Xavier Jordan, Matt King and Marcus Young tried to lift the Chargers but were foiled by a disciplined midfield and defence.
Despite having to make wholesale changes most weeks due to the national championships, school football and injuries, Higgins said the team usually adjusted well.
“It can be hard,” he said.
“It’s something they get used to though and that’s why it’s important to have a simple game plan in place.
"Most weeks we have six or eight changes but the boys are really good at adapting.”
The Bushrangers take on Geelong Falcons at RAMS Arena on Saturday and will be missing a handful of players due to Allies commitments against South Australia.
Fletcher Carroll, Ryan Garthwaite, Max Lynch, Todd Marshall, Charlie Spargo and Zach Sproule have made the 34-man squad to play at Adelaide Oval.
Will Brodie and Louis Pinnuck are in the Victorian Country squad to play Western Australia in Perth on Sunday.
In other matches at the weekend, Western Jets edged out Calder and North Ballarat accounted for Eastern Ranges by nine points.
Gippsland defeated Northern Knights at Morwell and Geelong Falcons had the answers against Dandenong Stingrays at Shepley Oval.
