MURRAY Bushrangers posted their biggest win of the season with a 100-point hammering of Western Jets at Wangaratta’s Norm Minns Oval on Saturday.
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In a rare blow-out, the home team thrived in the wet conditions with the Jets managing only three shots on goal.
Wodonga Raider Will Donaghey rebounded brilliantly in defence while Louis Pinnuck looked at home in the midfield.
Lachie Tiziani and Todd Marshall were the most effective forwards on the ground with three majors each.
”The boys adapted really well to the conditions against a side who is used to those conditions,” coach Leon Higgins said.
"I thought we were very clean with the ball.
“It was a strong four-quarter effort.”
Donaghey used the ball superbly across half-back while Pinnuck thrived on the chance to move to the midfield from defence.
James Cousins, Zac Sproule and Jake Page also played key roles in the win.
The Bushrangers went into the clash without Mitta United’s Ben Paton who rolled his ankle at training last week.
The victory keeps the side in third position on the ladder with Higgins expecting the competition for spots to heat up in coming weeks.
“It will come into focus in the next three weeks or month,” he said.
“We haven’t spoken about it, but with some good opposition in the run home into the finals we will be looking to protect our spot in the top four.”
Western Jets were best served by Nick Stuhldreier who is the son of former Lavington full-forward, Chris.
In other matches, Dandenong defeated Sandringham, Eastern Ranges accounted for Northern Knights, Gippsland Power upset Geelong and Bendigo edged out Oakleigh.
Meanwhile, Bushrangers’ duo Fletcher Carroll and Alex Paech kicked goals in the GWS Giants’ 25-point win over Sydney Swans in the NEAFL at the SCG on Saturday.
Henty’s Harrison Macreadie and Culcairn’s Jeremy Finlayson also played in the victory.