Brisbane Lions duo Tom Rockliff and Josh Schache, Melbourne draftee Mitch King and St Kilda rookie Nick Coughlan all made the trip to Etihad Stadium.

Rockliff, cousin of Bushies defender Harry Morrison, said it was a rare treat to see his former team in action.

“It was good to see them play, they dominated a couple of periods of the game but couldn’t get the scoreboard pressure,” he said.

“But they’re an impressive team, there’s a fair few good players out there.” 

Now no stranger to the hustle and bustle of everyday life as an AFL footballer, Rockliff said it was good to renew acquaintances with the Bushrangers. 

“Even at AFL level, our club is a bit like the Bushies,” he said.

“It’s the people that make a footy club.

“There’s so many good people at the club, some who have been around for more than 25 years.”