THE Murray Bushrangers recorded their 23rd successive victory over Bendigo Pioneers when they stormed home to win by 51 points at Punt Road Oval on Saturday.
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Our last practice game was really similar in that it was a strong defensive performance for three quarters before we were able to break it open
- Leon Higgins
With only 12 points separating the teams at the final change, the Bushrangers slammed on five unanswered goals to blow out the margin.
They last lost to the Pioneers in 2004.
Coach Leon Higgins said the victory was a good starting point for the season ahead.
“We thought our advantage might have been in our height but in the end it was probably two of our smaller players in Ben Paton in defence and Joe Richards up forward who got us going,” Higgins said.
“Our last practice game was really similar in that it was a strong defensive performance for three quarters before we were able to break it open.
“It’s a good base to build on.”
Big Jacob Koschitzke played well at both ends of the ground while ruckman Floyd Bollinghaus turned in a strong performance and kicked a telling goal.
Jessy Wilson was a constant threat in attack, kicking two goals.
Nathan Oakes, who has played in two senior flags for Nathalia, used his strength in the midfield and also hit the scoreboard.
Wodonga Raider Blayke St John hurt his knee in the final term and will be assessed in the next 24 hours.
Bendigo coach Rick Coburn said the Pioneers were unable to stop their opponents late run.
“We were happy with the boys for the first three quarters,” Coburn said.
“We didn’t make the most of our chances in the first three quarters … from our stats we had more inside 50s and were winning stoppages and probably should have been ahead on the scoreboard.
“But early in the last quarter Murray was able to put a couple of goals on the board to get away from us.
“There were some good signs there, it was just disappointing to drop off in the last quarter.”
The better players for the Pioneers were Tom Campbell in defence and Jacob Atley off half-back.
Atley is the brother of North Melbourne speedster Shaun.
Paddy Dow through the midfield, Lewis Davis up forward and stand-in captain Angus Schumacher were others to play well for the Pioneers.
The Bushrangers took 12 first-gamers into the match and Bendigo eight.
Charlie Spargo, Alex Paech, Jy Lane and Doulton Langlands missed the clash due to GWS Academy commitments.
Geelong Falcons scored their biggest win of the round in crushing Greater Western Victoria Rebels by 82 points.
The Bushrangers take on Gippsland at IKON Park on Saturday.