by Stephanie Kirkman
The Eastern Ranges endured a heartbreaking two-point loss on the weekend, despite being in the lead for the first three quarters against the Murray Bushrangers in Lavington.
Despite seven of the Range’s key players missing due to Vic Metro commitments, the boys from the east showed their mark on the football early, proving that they are still strong and competitive candidates in the TAC Cup.
The Ranges played a solid, consistent game of football throughout the four quarters, taking advantage of all opportunities to lead the Bushrangers by 22-points at the end of the first term.
Quick centre clearances saw the Ranges forwardline hard to beat, advancing on to kick a further four goals for the half compared to the Bushrangers measly two.
Despite an impressive first half from the Ranges, the game was far from over for the Murray Bushrangers, who came booming back in the second half to overturn scores.
The Bushrangers fought hard in a highly contested quarter, closing the gap to a one-point deficit at the end of three quarter time.
Momentum was a key factor in the Bushrangers driving force, with the Ranges treading into deep water late into the final term.
The Ranges struggled to capitalise on their forward thrusts unlike previous quarters, failing to convert six out of nine set-shot scoring opportunities compared to the Bushrangers four.
The Ranges unfortunate loss showed much disappointment from coach, Shane Watson after the match.
“It was a game we threw away, we had control of it for the first half and then we slowly started to slip away,” Watson said.
Watson thought that endurance wasn’t they key problem that set them back today, but the mentality that the players lacked towards the end of the match.
“The boys made some really costly decisions especially in the fourth quarter, and the Bushrangers just kept running at us; they had a great game of footy at the end of the day,” he said.
Ranges Ryan Wilson, had a consistent match racking up 27 possessions against his opponent, while teammate Jayden Cass performed strongly throughout the midfield with 24 possessions.
Full-forward, Luke McDonald had another walk in the park today, booting through five goals for the Ranges, and Ayden Kennedy was impressive up forward with three, but it just wasn’t enough to get them over the line on the day.
Despite the loss, the Ranges have sneaked up into the top four on the TAC ladder, one win away from claiming third sport from the Dandenong Stingrays.
Next week (in round 8), the Eastern Ranges will be travelling north, to face the Northern Knights on Saturday 30th May, 1:00pm at NAB Oval, Preston.
It will be a battle between the sharp-shooters next week with Ranges, Luke McDonald and Knights, Rhys Boyden - who are currently placed first and second respectively on the TAC goal tally for season 2009.
The next few weeks will be challenging for the Ranges, who face two more sides away from home before playing back at Box Hill City Oval in round 11 against the Dandenong Stingrays.
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Final Scores:
15.10-100
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Murray Bushrangers
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12:00 PM
Sun 24/May
Lavington
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def.
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14.14-98
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Eastern Ranges
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Eastern Ranges
Goal Kickers: L. McDonald 5, A. Kennedy 3, J. Cass 2, J. Dyson 2, A. Ellis, B. Griffiths
Best Players: L. McDonald, R. Wilson, J. Cass, B. Wilson, D. Fent, A. Ellis
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Last Modified on 11/06/2009 15:32
