THE Murray Bushrangers are preparing for a battle of the “midfield bulls” when they do battle with Calder Cannons at Albury Sportsground on Sunday.
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In the TAC Cup team’s first appearance at the sportsground since June, 2016, coach Leon Higgins expects the match to be won at the stoppages.
”Calder has some big, strong-bodied midfielders,” Higgins said.
“That’s our strength as well I guess with players like Ely Smith, Dylan and Kyle Clarke and Cam Wilson.
“That will be the contest for the game I would say.
“We will look to our rucks (Mark Marriott and Ben Kelly) to help out as well when the ball hits the ground.”
The Bushrangers have selected five players from one club – Albury – for the first time with Kelly, Jacob Koschitzke, Riley Bice, Willson Mack and Matt Walker named.
They are coming off a blue-collar performance against Eastern Ranges which Higgins described as one of their best of the season.
Matt Walker had a day out with six goals and will again form a potent attack with Hudson Garoni lurking nearby.
“I thought we were really consistent throughout last week,” he said.
“We maintained our pressure around the stoppages which kept us in the game and, on the back of some clearances in the final quarter, we kicked away with eight goals.”
The Bushrangers’ last clash at the sportsground ended in controversy when the siren sounded after 21 minutes with Higgins’ line-up in front by three points.
Higgins was interviewed by the media and the players celebrated before officials summoned the players back onto the ground and ordered them to play another eight minutes due to a timekeeping error.
Lachie Tiziani kicked the sealer in the dying seconds to hand the Bushrangers a seven-point win.
“Our last game was pretty eventful at Albury against Eastern Ranges,” Higgins said.
“We won twice that day.
“It’s good to play there again.
“The boys are looking forward to it.”
The match starts at 12pm.
The Bushrangers team is:
B, Boyer, Fiore, Boyd; hb, Ash. Koschitzke, Murray; c, Frauenfelder, Smith, Wilson; hf, Chandler, Garoni, Bice; f, Chalcraft, Barzen, Walker; foll, Marriott, Clarke, Clarke; inter, Amery, Kelly, Paradzayi, Smart, Mack.