THE Murray Bushrangers paid the price for a slow start when they went down to Oakleigh Chargers by 15 points at Wangaratta’s Norm Minns Oval on Sunday.
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The home team trailed by 17 points after eight minutes and struggled to get back into the contest.
Ruckman-forward Daniel Johnston and half-forward Zane Barzen rallied hard to peg back the deficit but the Bushrangers kicked 2.8 to 3.2 in the third quarter to effectively seal their own fate.
Coach Leon Higgins said it was a missed opportunity.
“We had a poor first half which was disappointing because it should have been an advantage for us as they were the travelling team,” he said.
“They got away from us early.
“It’s hard enough pegging back a lead at any time let alone against a really good side like Oakleigh.
“We had our chances in the third quarter but couldn’t take them.
“I thought we controlled part of the game.”
Johnston instigated the fightback in the ruck, Barzen used his class to advantage in attack and Sam Beasley was creative across half-back particularly in the second-half.
Wodonga’s Hudson Garoni had his moments in attack and Yarrawonga’s Ryan Bruce picked up some telling touches.
Higgins was pleased with his team’s defence against one of the premier attacking sides in the competition.
Toby Wooller and Jack Higgins kicked three goals each for the victors.
“I thought our backs competed really well,” he said.
“They were just much cleaner than us on the day.”
The Bushrangers came through the clash without any injuries and have the bye this weekend.
Their next assignment is against Greater Western Victoria Rebels.
The Bushrangers are sitting third on the ladder with a 6-2 win-loss ratio behind Oakleigh (6-2) and Geelong (8-0).
Geelong only narrowly kept its undefeated record intact after edging out bottom-placed Calder Cannons by four points.
Dandenong defeated Eastern Ranges by 63 points.
Northern Knights edged out Gippsland Power, Sandringham accounted for Greater Western Victoria Rebels and Bendigo brought down Western.
The ladder is: Geelong Falcons 32, Oakleigh Chargers 24, Murray Bushrangers 24, Sandringham Dragons 20, Northern Knights 20, Dandenong Stingrays 16, Greater Western Victoria Rebels 12, Bendigo Pioneers 12, Eastern Ranges 12, Gippsland Power 8, Western Jets 8, Calder 4.
