MURRAY Bushrangers coach Leon Higgins expects his side to bounce back strongly against Greater Western Victoria Rebels at Craigieburn on Sunday.
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Higgins believes last weekend’s bye came at the perfect time after the Bushrangers were outplayed by Oakleigh the previous week.
“In our last home game against Oakleigh we were really poor in the first half,” Higgins said.
“I think the boys showed some signs of tiredness, a long pre-season and a lot of travel at the start of the year as well.
“Most of the players were probably looking for a break.
“Some played at their home clubs at the weekend and a few rested and I think they all enjoyed that.”
The Bushrangers will go into Sunday’s clash without Ben Paton and Jordan Butts who are being rested ahead of next weekend’s national under-18 championships match for Victoria Country against Allies at Blacktown.
Doulton Langlands and Matt Walker have come into the side.
Higgins said the Rebels would be dangerous with a 3-5 win-loss record.
“Like us, they will probably have a few rested for Vic Country, but they are a pretty tight defensive unit,” he said.
“Gerard FitzGerald coaches them.
“He’s had a long history in the VFL and they’re a really well coached side.
“I’d say they will be hard to score against.”
Paton, Butts, Laitham Vandermeer (Xavier College), Zane Barzen, Harry Jones, Thomas Boyd and Hudson Garoni are in the Victorian Country squad.
Charlie Spargo, Alex Paech, Jy Lane, Langlands and Daniel Johnston are members of the Allies squad for the national carnival.
The championships run until July 5.
The Bushrangers team is:
B: Beasley, Paech, Clarke
HB: Donaghey, Boyd, Langlands
C: Bruce, Jones, Trotter
HF: Barzen, Garoni, Wilson
F: Oakes, Johnston, Lane
Foll: Kelly, Bond, Hicks
Inter: Walker, Wallace, Koschitzke, Richards, Bice (23rd)
Emerg: Smith, Frauenfelder, McMillan