THE Murray Bushrangers overcame the absence of seven players on national championships duty to defeat Bendigo Pioneers by 40 points at Bendigo on Sunday.
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With a host of stars unavailable due to Victoria Country and Allies commitments, the Mark Brown-coached side started brightly and were never headed.
Wodonga Raider Dylan Clarke was superb as a defensive midfielder while Yarrawonga’s Ely Smith also picked up plenty of touches.
Jake Bradshaw and James Boyer were solid in defence and Ben Kelly played well in the ruck and up forward.
Bushrangers talent manager Mick Wilson said it was a strong all-round showing.
“It was a bit of a danger game with seven players out for the nationals, but the boys really stepped up,” he said.
“We probably didn’t capitalise on the amount of possession we had.”
Bushrangers’ pair Jacob Koschitzke and Matt Walker played well for the Allies in their narrow loss to Vic Metro at Southport on Saturday.
Koschitzke held potential No.1 draft pick Ben King goalless until the last 90 seconds when the star forward kicked the matchwinning goal.
Walker competed strongly at centre half-forward, taking six marks.
Victoria Country went down to South Australia on Sunday with Wodonga’s Hudson Garoni kicking two majors.
Former Murray Bushranger Ryan Garthwaite made his AFL debut for Richmond against Geelong on Sunday.
