The Murray Bushrangers were pipped in the dying minutes of a thrilling Qualifying Final against the Dandenong Stingrays at IKON Park on the weekend. Despite the brave effort from the Bushrangers will need to front up in this week’s Semi Final against an inform Oakleigh Chargers.
Talent Manager Lee Fraser was confident the squad will bounce back, ‘to their credit the boys competed hard all day, a bit of luck in the dying minutes and we could have won the game, in some way we have confirmed that our best is good enough to compete at the heat of finals football”.
The Bushrangers prepared for the contest with a nights stay at the Vibe Hotel in Carlton. “Thanks to the great support of our sponsors we were able to invest in ensuring the boys had the best possible preparation, it was a very professional build up to the game”.
The Stingrays were impressive early in the game, they were strong at the clearances and provided opportunities for their lively forwards. The backline which included bottom age trio James Cousins, Ryan Garthwaite & Harry Morrison performed well early in the game to repel numerous attacks. Albury’s Harry Tanner was superb all day defending well and providing run and carry out of the defensive 50.
The Bushrangers were able to get their way into the contest late in the second quarter with Max Canfield, Josh Schache and Jy Simpkin providing a spark.
The intensity of the game lifted significantly in the second half with the midfield battle becoming an arm wrestle, Murray Waite, Harrison Payne & Clayton Oliver were superb in the clinches providing numerous attacking moves.
As the last quarter commenced the Bushrangers were full of run and instigated a number of inside 50 opportunities, relentless work-rate pushed the ball to Max Canfield who aided by a 50 metre penalty was able to put the Bushrangers in front for the first time in the game.
The Stingray’s were not to be denied with key forward James Freeman hitting the scoreboard twice in the dying minutes to hit the lead. Once in front the Stingrays were able to settle the game down for the last few minutes to ensure a 6 point victory.
The Bushrangers will return to IKON Park this Sunday 13 September to take on the Oakleigh Charges in a cut throat Semi Final.
MURRAY BUSHRANGERS 10 . 7. 67
DANDENONG STINGRAYS 10. 13. 73
Goal Kickers: Max Canfield 3, Josh Schache 2, Jy Simpkin 2, Luke Smith, Zach Sproule, Harrison Payne
BEST PLAYERS: Harry Morrison (Benalla), Clayton Oliver (Mooroopna), Harry Tanner (Albury), Murray Waite (Wangaratta), Mitch King (Wodonga), Harrison Payne (Corowa-Rutherglen)
TAC CUP FINALS SERIES WEEK 2
SUNDAY 13 SEPTEMBER, IKON PARK, CARLTON
11.15AM MURRAY BUSHRANGERS VS OAKLEIGH CHARGERS
(Winner to play North Ballarat in Preliminary Final)
2.00PM GEELONG FALCONS VS EASTERN RANGES
(Winner to play Dandenong Stingrays in Preliminary Final
Last Modified on 07/09/2015 09:03