A FULL-strength Murray Bushrangers outfit will play host to Calder Cannons up in Wangaratta on Saturday with the home side searching for its fifth win of the season. The Cannons will be without their top two stars, but are building a future core of talent throughout the season.

NEED TO KNOW

Venue: Wangaratta Showgrounds
Date: Saturday, July 5
Time: 2:30pm

FORM

Murray Bushrangers were gallant in defeat against Dandenong Stingrays last week, going down by eight points in Shepparton, with both sides missing a number of quality players. The Bushies remain in country Victoria for the clash where they are gunning for win number five, a marked improvement on last season’s last-round breakthrough.

Calder Cannons on the other hand are looking for their third win of the season, having beaten Western Jets by three points in Round 1, but have since lost eight of their last nine, with a 43-point triumph over Bendigo Pioneers the outlier. They have missed their National Academy duo for various weeks, and will again with Chloe Baker-West headed to Perth for Vic Metro’s clash with Western Australia.

KEY PLAYERS

Murray Bushrangers

Murray regains its Vic Country representatives with Nikhita Spiteri named at half-forward, a role she has been playing for Country at the national championships. Bottom-ager Sophia Green is selected to roll through the middle, while state captain Rain Dodd will lineup in defence next to her younger sister, Constance.

Utility Rose Bell is named off half-back but expect her to play at both ends, while goalkicking machine Majella Day has added support from double bottom-ager Evie Henley and bottom-ager Skylah McPherson, the latter of whom booted two goals from 28 disposals last time out. Others to keep in mind are Charlie Gibson off a wing, and over-age pair Ellie Hall and Madison Ibrahim who cover the ground well and bring different strengths to the table.

Calder Cannons

The Cannons head into the match minus Baker-West and of course the injured Jade McLay – who would be missing from this game anyway due to Vic Metro duties – so it will give the opportunity for others to stand up. Shauna McElligott is one of the best performed top-agers outside the Victorian squads so can really take the bull by the horns in this one with expected midfield minutes.

McElligott is one of four Cannons who have been invited to train at Essendon VFLW this season with tough inside midfielder Madison Spring-Brown, defender Taylah Gilcrist and tall Eden Grant. The future of the Cannons is developing as the season goes on, with Holly Clough, Coco Balmain and most recently Tessa Berryman all transitioning from the Futures squad to the Under 18s side making Calder quite a long team.

PREDICTION

Murray Bushrangers have far more experience on paper and at home, really should produce a big win here. Calder has done well for two or three quarters within games, but often just falls short for 20 or 30 minutes that enables the opposition to kick away. Though on paper the scoreboard has not looked great, the key is just remaining in the game for a little longer and anything can happen.

AROUND THE GROUNDS

After two smaller rounds that combined for six games, a proper 12-team fixture takes place across Round 13. Only Sandringham Dragons have the bye, with the country teams having an advantage going up against the understrength metropolitan ones with Vic Metro travelling west. Geelong Falcons have a massive chance against Northern Knights on the road, as does Gippsland Power when it hosts Eastern Ranges in a huge top four clash on Sunday.

All eyes will be on whether Bendigo Pioneers can knock off Western Jets up in Mildura, though the Pioneers have had a number of injuries to key players as it is. They are searching for their first win against a Jets side that has just one to its name. In other games, Oakleigh Chargers hosting Tasmania Devils at Warrawee Park on Saturday will be a fascinating one, as will how GWV Rebels fare against a Stingrays side regaining its top-end talent at Shepley Oval.