THE Murray Bushrangers will be out to rectify their slow starts when they take on Greater Western Victoria Rebels at Craigieburn on Saturday.
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Leon Higgins’ side has trailed at quarter-time by 21 and 19 points against Geelong and Sandringham in their last two matches before fighting back to clinch victory.
But Higgins said the Bushrangers couldn’t afford to start slowly again.
“We have struggled all through the year with our starts so it’s a bit of a concern,” Higgins said.
“It’s hard to say what is causing it.
“Everyone has their different ways to prepare for games and hopefully we can improve that part of our game on Saturday.
“You don’t want to be giving opposition teams 20 points start on you every week.”
The Bushrangers have been strengthened by the return of Zane Barzen, Ben Kelly and Finn O’Dwyer but will miss Nick Murray (GWS Academy) and Jake Bradshaw (shoulder).
Matt Walker injured his arm playing for GWS last weekend and is unavailable.
“The Rebels have been really competitive in their games,” Higgins said.
“We expect a tough game again.”
Saturday’s match starts at 2pm.
B, Boyer, Butts, Dang; hb, Vandermeer, Boyd, Ash; c, Bice, Smith, Chandler; hf, Barzen, Koschitzke, O'Dwyer; f, Warner, Garoni, Chalcraft; foll, Marriott, Clarke, Amery; inter, Fraunfelder, Kelly, Ellis, Clarke, Irvine (23rd); emerg, Dayman, Adams, Oates.