By Stephanie Kirkman
The Ranges had a tough run this weekend after an upsetting 51-point loss to the Northern Knights in Preston.
In a strongly contested first quarter, both teams struggled to convert on the scoreboard, but the Ranges managed to have a good start early to hang onto the lead by a one-point margin at the end of the first term.
In the second, the Knights began to break away widening the lead to four goals at the end of the main break.
Frustration was building within the Knights team during half-time, after failing to convert eight missed opportunities for the second quarter.
They came firing out in the second half, to kick another eight goals, missing only four scoring shots for the remainder of the match.
From there, the Ranges really struggled to show any competition or contested football, only managing to kick another two goals for the half.
Coach Shane Watson was far from impressed by the game, and expected better from his boys.
“Definitely a disappointing outcome today, I thought that we would come out a stronger side today, especially after our loss against the Bushrangers,” he said.
“Next week we will be working on our confidence and motivation on the way we go about our footy, because I think that is a huge issue at the moment with a lot of the players in the team,” Watson said.
The Ranges had the week off last week, due to a bye, but unfortunately it just wasn’t enough to get them over the line at the end of the day.
For the Ranges, youngster Jayden Cass had a commendable game throughout the midfield, racking up 14 possessions and booting through a goal for the team.
It was a rather low-scoring game for the Ranges, with Dyson, Cass, O’Shea and Wilson all kicking singles for the team.
The loss sees the Ranges slump down into sixth place, just one placing underneath next weeks rivals, the Gippsland Power.
Next week (round 10) the Ranges face Gippsland Power at Morwell Football ground, on Saturday 13th June, before they play another game at home in Round 11.
SCORES
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TEAMS
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TIME/VENUE
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11.14-80
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Northern Knights
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1:00 PM Sat 30/May
NAB Oval (Map)
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def.
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4.5-29
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Eastern Ranges
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Eastern Ranges
Goal Kickers: J. Cass, J. Dyson, C. O''Shea, B. Wilson Best Players: J. Del Giudice, C. O''Shea, R. Wilson, J. Dyson, J. Kinder, G. Phelps
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Last Modified on 16/06/2009 21:52