MURRAY Bushrangers are holding onto a top four place heading into the final fortnight ahead of a tough contest with Gippsland Power in Ballarat and a battle with Northern Knights at home in Wangaratta. The Bushrangers hold a narrow two-point advantage over Oakleigh Chargers in fifth and will need to win both to guarantee a top four spot, but depending on results could still avoid the Wildcard Round with one win.

Wins: 9
Losses: 5
Draws: 0
Position: 4th
Points For: 1158 (3rd)
Points Against: 935 (4th)
Percentage: 122
Points: 36

Fixtures:

R15: vs. Gippsland Power – MARS Stadium
R16: vs. Northern Knights – Norm Minns Oval

National Combine Invitations: [4] Zane Barzen, Jacob Koschitzke, Ely Smith, Laitham Vandermeer

State Combine Invitations: [5] Riley Bice, Hudson Garoni, Nick Murray, Finbar O’Dwyer, Mathew Walker

Rookie Me Combine Invitations: [2] Jordon Butts, Kyle Clarke

The Bushrangers have another strong core of players across the field in 2018, with key defenders, key forwards, speedy backs, exciting hybrid players and uncompromising inside midfielders all playing their part and raising interest from AFL club recruiters. Zane Barzen has a high ceiling and has shown glimpses of his capabilities, while Jacob Koschitzke, Ely Smith and Laitham Vandermeer were rewarded with impressive seasons, receiving National Combine invitations. Hudson Garoni and Mathew Walker both represented their respective states at the National Under 18 Championships. Jye Chalcraft, Will Chandler and Willson Mack are among a number of exciting bottom-age prospects that are also coming through the ranks.

Top Fives:

Disposals:

1 – Ely Smith – 332 (3rd overall)
2 – Lachlan Ash – 270
3 – Kyle Clarke – 248
4 – Jimmy Boyer – 245
5 – Riley Bice – 225

Marks:

1 – Hudson Garoni – 75 (4th overall)
2 – Lachlan Ash – 73 (6th overall)
3 – Thomas Boyd – 72 (7th overall)
4 – Jordon Butts – 59
5 – Riley Bice – 54

Contested Possessions:

1 – Ely Smith – 167 (1st overall)
2 – Jye Chalcraft – 122
3 – Kyle Clarke – 113
4 – Jimmy Boyer – 101
5 – Dylan Clarke – 91

Tackles:

1 – Ely Smith – 72 (eq. 8th overall)
2 – Mark Marriott – 66
3 – Jye Chalcraft – 60
4 – Kyle Clarke – 51
5 – Lachlan Ash – 44

Hitouts:

1 – Mark Marriott – 207 (4th overall)
2 – Ben Kelly – 138
3 – Floyd Bollinghaus – 58
4 – Edward Dayman – 28
5 – Jordon Butts – 10
5 – Jacob Koschitzke – 10

Clearances:

1 – Ely Smith – 81 (1st overall)
2 – Dylan Smith – 41
3 – Kyle Clarke – 40
4 – Jye Chalcraft – 39
5 – Noah Amery – 33

Inside 50s:

1 – Ely Smith – 52 (8th overall)
2 – Bailey Frauenfelder – 44
2 – Will Chandler – 44
4 – Dylan Clarke – 42
5 – Kyle Clarke – 39
5 – Riley Bice – 39

Rebounds:

1 – Lachlan Ash – 52 (2nd overall)
2 – Thomas Boyd – 37
3 – Nick Murray – 34
4 – Kyle Clarke – 26
5 – Jimmy Boyer – 24

Goals:

1 – Hudson Garoni – 34 (1st overall)
2 – Bailey Frauenfelder – 17 (eq. 9th overall)
3 – Zane Barzen – 13
4 – Jordon Butts – 12
5 – Riley Bice – 11