The Murray Bushrangers have stolen victory from the jaws of defeat after an inconsistent performance against the Western Jets at Deakin Reserve in Shepparton. The Bushrangers started the game kicking three goals with Josh Schache kicking the first two and Josh Minogue adding one in an entertaining first quarter. Minogue was particularly influential early providing a spark across the half forward line. However it was the Western Jets through a hard working midfield and accurate kicking for goal that led by 4 points at quarter time.
The second term belonged solely to Western as they held the Bushrangers scoreless and dominated the quarter kicking two goals from five attempts. Whilst the midfield of Jake Marshall, Fletcher Carroll & Murray Waite lifted, over possession and poor skill errors were causing numerous turnovers. The defence was under enormous pressure with Matt Neagle, Ryan Garthwaite and Brady Sharp repelling numerous attacks from a fired up Jets outfit. Strathmerton’s Louis Pinnuck was winning his position and using the ball with high efficiency. At the main break, the Jets led the Bushrangers by 19 points and an upset looked likely.
The half time break provided the Bushrangers with time to refocus and change some structures; and for the most part these changes were effective. Levi Middleton providing a real spark up forward and scored the opening goal with a snap over his shoulder within the first minute to change the momentum of the game.
Yarrawonga’s Max Canfield spent time across the ground in a variety of positions and his versatility sparked the Bushrangers with a number of marks and long kicks to the key forwards. The Bushrangers were able to add goals through Schache; and outscored the Jets by 14 points. The Bushrangers doubled their score in the third term and had momentum at the last change.
The final term was a more complete performance for the Bushrangers as they levelled scores midway through the term through Zach Sproulebefore key forward Josh Schache kicked his fifth for the day. Ruckman Mitch King took many valuable marks in defence from the good work of Sharp; while Fletcher Carroll made crucial clearances and drove the ball.
However the Jets kicked just one goal from five attempts and with just two minutes of play remaining Best of Ground Josh Minogue took his most crucial mark of the game. With the pressure mounting the youngster steadies to slot the match winning goal from 40 metres out and the Bushrangers had scraped home for a vital victory.
The Murray Bushrangers now sit six points clear in third position; and after a bye next week take on the powerful Calder Cannons outfit on Sunday 16 August at the Wangaratta Showgrounds from 12.00pm.
By Stephen Hicks
MURRAY BUSHRANGERS 3-2 3-2 6-4 9-7=61
WESTERN JETS 4-0 6-3 7-3 8-7=55
GOAL KICKERS:
JOSH SCHACHE 5 (SEYMOUR), JOSH MINOGUE 2 (NORTH ALBURY), LEVI MIDDLETON 1 (FINLEY), ZACH SPROULE 1 (ALBURY)
BEST PLAYERS:
JOSH MINOGUE (NORTH ALBURY), MITCH KING (WODONGA), JOSH SCHACHE (SEYMOUR), BRADY SHARP (MYRTLEFORD), LEVI MIDDLETON (FINLEY), JAKE MARSHALL (DENILIQUIN)
|
POS
|
TEAM
|
P
|
W
|
L
|
D
|
B
|
F
|
A
|
%
|
PTS
|
|
1
|
North Ballarat
|
14
|
12
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
1247
|
807
|
154.52
|
48
|
|
2
|
Dandenong Stingrays
|
14
|
11
|
3
|
0
|
0
|
1197
|
966
|
123.91
|
44
|
|
3
|
Murray Bushrangers
|
14
|
10
|
4
|
0
|
0
|
1145
|
851
|
134.55
|
40
|
|
4
|
Oakleigh Chargers
|
14
|
9
|
5
|
0
|
0
|
1076
|
851
|
126.44
|
36
|
|
5
|
Eastern Ranges
|
14
|
8
|
5
|
1
|
0
|
1071
|
966
|
110.87
|
34
|
|
6
|
Geelong Falcons
|
14
|
7
|
4
|
3
|
0
|
1049
|
951
|
110.30
|
34
|
|
7
|
Gippsland Power
|
14
|
6
|
7
|
1
|
0
|
1083
|
913
|
118.62
|
26
|
|
8
|
Calder Cannons
|
14
|
6
|
7
|
1
|
0
|
990
|
1007
|
98.31
|
26
|
|
9
|
Sandringham Dragons
|
14
|
4
|
9
|
1
|
0
|
750
|
950
|
78.95
|
18
|
|
10
|
Northern Knights
|
14
|
2
|
12
|
0
|
0
|
910
|
1164
|
78.18
|
8
|
|
11
|
Bendigo Pioneers
|
14
|
2
|
12
|
0
|
0
|
709
|
1280
|
55.39
|
8
|
|
12
|
Western Jets
|
14
|
1
|
13
|
0
|
0
|
739
|
1352
|
54.66
|
4
|
Last Modified on 02/08/2015 22:29
