The North Ballarat Rebels came back to earth with a thud on Saturday going down to the fourth placed Murray Bushrangers.
The game started at a frenetic pace as both teams found their feet on the wide expanses of Deakin Reserve in Shepparton.
As the quarter went on the Bushrangers key forwards began to trouble the Rebels defence. Some indirect football and poor turnovers proved costly as the Bushrangers took a 2 goal advantage to the quarter time break.
This lead was quickly extended upon in the second quarter as the Rebels failed to take advantage of a slight breeze.
Rebels coach Anthony Rock made some major changes at half time but they had little effect as the Rebels failed to impact on a 5 goal half time deficit.
Realising it would take a drastic form reversal, Rock told his players at three quarter time to take risks and kick long at every opportunity. The words of the coach had an immediate impact as the Rebels reduced the advantage to under 3 goals early in the last quarter.
The Rebels efforts would be in vain however as two late Bushrangers goals showed why they are a destined for a top four finish.
Better players for the Rebels included team leaders Jarrod McCorkell and Adam Fisher, first year player Mick Foster and the improving Josh Thurgood.
The Rebels travel to Canberra this weekend to take on the NSW / ACT RAMS, desperate to return to the winners list.
North Ballarat Rebels 11. 12 (78)
Murray Bushrangers 16. 13 (109)
Goals: Eales 2, Allan, Brennan, Chaplin, Fisher, Goodes, Matthews, Swanton, Campbell
Best: McCorkell, Foster, Fisher, Thurgood, Raworth, George.
Last Modified on 08/02/2009 13:01
