Murray Bushrangers done by Dandenong in final Coates Talent League home and away game

By Liam Nash

Aug 23, 2023

Consistent performer: Coby James was a shining light for the Bushrangers in a loss to Dandenong. Photo by Aydin Payne

Murray Bushrangers have rounded out their regular season Coates Talent League campaign on unfavourable terms.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

The Bushies met Dandenong Stingrays in the final home and away game, slumping to a 68-point loss after producing a plucky first-quarter effort.

Sunday’s result was chalk and cheese to their prior hit-out.

After beating Calder Cannons by a point in round 15, Bushrangers hit the Stingrays with full force in the opening exchange at Bendigo’s Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Josh Murphy and Mitchell Way fired in the first majors of the match in between a pair of behinds to have Mark Brown’s outfit ahead by 14 points.

The Stingrays countered and eventually the lead was cut to two points by quarter-time.

When Dandenong slammed its foot on the gas after the break the Bushies didn’t follow suit and, four consecutive Stingrays goals later, the side had it’s earlier disadvantage flipped to hold a 21-point buffer by the half.

The Bushies kicked 2.2 to Dandenong’s 4.5 in the third term and a further five majors in the last quarter ruptured the winning margin out to 17.16 (118) to 6.14 (50) at the siren.

Despite a sour end result a number of Goulburn Valley products starred.

Mooroopna’s Coby James was best-on for the Bushies as he registered 20 disposals and five inside 50s, while Oliver Warburton (Shepparton Swans) and Oscar Ryan (Shepparton United) racked up 19 touches each.

Shepparton twins Matt and Jack Whitlock also impressed and were named in the Bushies’ better performers.

Sunday’s loss leaves the side in 13th on the ladder and, with a bye this weekend, the Bushrangers now gear up for a wildcard finals match against an unconfirmed opponent next month.