Jake Bradshaw was really composed around the contest and Michael Oates and Tom O’Brien contributed at different stages as well.
- Leon Higgins
THE Murray Bushrangers overcame some spirited opposition from competition battler Western Jets to run-out eight-point victors at Burbank Oval on Sunday.
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Although the Jets are sitting on the bottom of the ladder, Bushranger coach Leon Higgins predicted a tough encounter in the tricky conditions and that’s exactly what he got.
Angus Hicks was outstanding in the contest while Mark Marriott rucked well and created some problems up forward.
Jessy Wilson thrived on the opportunity to spend more time in the midfield with several of the Bushrangers’ more accomplished runners on the sidelines.
Zane Barzen also showed his class with some quality passages of play.
The Bushrangers were under siege late with their rotations severely hampered by tall defender Jacob Koschitzke (calf) and Laitham Vandermeer (head knock) being out of the match by half-time.
“The conditions were difficult with a wind blowing across the ground but the boys managed to hold on for a win,” Higgins said.
“We were in front all day and just held on.”
In the final TAC Cup futures round round of the season, the Bushrangers played three first-gamers in Wodonga Raider Jake Bradshaw, Lavington’s Michael Oates and Albury’s Tom O’Brien.
“Jake Bradshaw was really composed around the contest and Michael Oates and Tom O’Brien contributed at different stages as well,” he said.
“They all showed they could play at this level.”
Higgins was also full of praise for ruckmen Marriott and Daniel Johnston.
“They had three really big-bodied ruckmen and I thought Mark Marriott and Daniel Johnston competed really well,” he said.
“It was a pretty taxing game with a lot of contested ball.
“The performance was a little bit inconsistent with a poor third quarter but we managed to come away with the points which was pleasing.”
The win consolidated the Bushrangers’ spot in the top-four ahead of a clash against Calder Cannons at Shepparton next Sunday.
They then meet Bendigo and Greater Western Victoria Rebels.
In other matches, Dandenong overcame some poor kicking for goal to defeat Calder Cannons by 23 points.
The Stingrays finished with 28 scoring shots to 15.
Ladder leader Oakleigh Chargers were comfortable winners over Geelong Falcons with the victors banging on seven goals to one in the final quarter.
Eastern Ranges defeated Greater Western Victoria Rebels by 25 points.
Sandringham Dragons won the closest match of the round by a point over Gippsland Power and Northern Knights brought down Bendigo.
