THE Murray Bushrangers fell agonisingly short of victory when they lost to Gippsland Power by three points in the opening round at Craigieburn on Sunday.
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With the wind creating havoc, Corowa-Rutherglen youngster Will Chandler was about to take a shot at goal on the run when the final siren sounded.
"As Will played on the siren pretty much went," coach Mark Brown said.
"It would have been a really tough kick.
"It was a tough hit-out in terrible conditions.
"The wind was horrendous."
Murray Bushrangers led by three, three and five points at the changes with co-captain Cam Wilson playing a blinder as a defensive small forward.
He bobbed up with three goals and created several turnovers with his pressure.
Albury's Ben Kelly had a strong match at centre half-back and the ruck and Raider Dylan Clarke was typically hard at the ball.
Lachie Ash and Elijah Hollands also acquitted themselves well in the conditions.
Hollands played on a wing and half-forward and finished with 1.3.
"Cam Wilson was fantastic," he said.
"He had 20 touches and kicked three goals and was really good."
Gippsland had a star in Kyle Dunkley.
Dunkley, a son of former Sydney Swan defender Andrew, kicked three majors and showed why many rate him a good chance of being drafted.
The Bushrangers suffered a blow when Wangaratta's Trent Matthes was forced from the field with a serious hamstring injury.
He is likely to spend an exchanged period on the sidelines.
"He's done a really good job getting himself fit after having limited opportunities last season," Brown said.
"He had started well and it looks like a severe hamstring.
"His preparation had been fantastic so it's a real blow for us."
Brown believes the Bushrangers will be better for the hit-out after taking time to find their feet against Gippsland.
"The boys acquitted themselves well," he said.
"We had some opportunities late which was good but we were probably a bit rusty kicking with the breeze early.
"We slaughtered the ball a little bit by foot. We were able to compose ourselves though in the last three quarters and take it up to a side which we think will be around the mark."
The Bushrangers take on Bendigo Pioneers at Shepparton on Saturday.
"It will be a hard game," he said.
"We had a tough hit-out against them in a practice match and they did well against Geelong this weekend."
Sandringham Dragons scored the biggest win of the round when they thrashed Calder Cannons by 109 points.