NUMBER one draft contender Will Brodie played a blinder in the Murray Bushrangers’ one-point loss to top team Dandenong Stingrays at Shepley Oval on Saturday.
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Brodie enhanced his reputation with a dominate performance in the midfield with coach Leon Higgins full of praise for the youngster.
“It was probably Brodie’s best game for us,” Higgins said.
“It was a really contested game which suited him.”
In a see-sawing match played in windy conditions, the Bushrangers looked set to bring down Dandenong for the second time this season before Academy player Hunter Clark kicked the matchwinner in the dying minutes.
The loss leaves the side in third spot on the ladder with a final round clash against Oakleigh at Wangaratta’s Norm Minns Oval on Saturday.
Higgins said the match was ideal before the finals.
“We played quite well but just lacked a bit of composure towards the end of the game,” Higgins said.
“It was a tough, hard contested game.
“Both sides were pretty desperate and clean ball movement in the last quarter was difficult.”
The Bushrangers were dealt a blow before the match when Max Lynch was forced to withdraw due to illness.
That resulted in the line-up starting with 22 players which took its toll in a frenetic final quarter.
Besides Brodie, Albury’s Charlie Spargo was outstanding with his class and workrate causing the Dandenong defence plenty of headaches.
North Albury’s Doulton Langlands continued his solid season on a wing while Corowa-Rutherglen’s Ryan Garthwaite was the Bushrangers’ best defender.
Todd Marshall and Ben Paton also turned in strong performances.
“Overall, it was a pretty good effort,” Higgins said.
“We led with a few minutes to go and won the next clearance but just lacked a bit of composure back and forward which cost us in the finish.”
Geelong Falcons strengthened their position on top of the ladder with a 90-point demolition of Calder.
In an ominous sign for the rest of the competition, the Falcons had 13 goalkickers with Cassidy Parish best on ground.
Eastern Ranges edged out Gippsland Power by 16 points, North Ballarat Rebels were too strong for Northern Knights and Oakleigh Chargers upset Sandringham Dragons.
Meanwhile, the Morrish Medal count will be held in Melbourne on September 4.
Bushrangers’ midfielder Clayton Oliver was victorious last year before being drafted by Melbourne.
