GWV REBELS snapped a two-game losing streak in style, getting the better of Murray Bushrangers in typically stifling Craigieburn conditions on Saturday. The Rebels did most of their damage after half time, kicking six goals to one to run out comfortable 49-point victors.

It was no surprise to see Rebels captain and first round prospect Ethan Drever lead all comers with 30 disposals, as his side rolled out a handful of Vic Country representatives. Bottom-ager Lincoln Brand was the Bushies’ main form of resistance as they fell to 1-8-1.

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS 1.1 | 1.4 | 1.7 | 2.7 (19)
GWV REBELS 2.4 | 3.5 | 5.12 | 9.14 (68)

GOALS:
Murray Bushrangers: A. Hueston, A. Williams
GWV Rebels: A. Elliott 2, L. Munyard 2, E. Drever, T. Faull, H. Metcher, L. Petrie, D. Rizzoli

BEST:
Murray Bushrangers: L. Brand, C. Webster, B. Sofra, A. Williams, J. Porter, M. Calleja
GWV Rebels: E. Drever, H. Welsh, K. Nicholls, A. Elliott, J. Connolly, L. Pring

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS:

#2 Blake Sofra
Midfielder/Forward | 176cm | 13/03/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 marks, 3 inside 50s

On a day where the conditions suited smalls, Sofra was among the best of them. Rotating between the midfield and forwardline, he showed class amid the several scrambles with clean handling and flashy spurts of agility. Sofra was able to attack the loose ball and scoop it up at speed, making good on being low to the ground. The left-footer was often composed with ball in hand and looked to make something happen, which was tough amid heavy rain.

#7 Lincoln Brand
Midfielder | 188cm | 19/05/2009

Stats: 29 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 6 inside 50s

Brand was built for wet weather footy, possessing a clean set of hands and the strong frame to break open congestion. He crashed in at stoppages and tackled hard, but was also able to extract the ball and use his power to either absorb pressure or step to the outside. Balancing out his inside game, Brand had no trouble finding the ball in transition, racking up 12 handball receives and showing composure as he looked forward. He delivered the ball inside 50 six times, using both feet.

#16 Cooper Webster
Defender | 186cm | 03/04/2009

Stats: 22 disposals, 6 marks, 10 rebound 50s

Webster helped his side absorb the weight of GWV’s 63 forward-50 entries, providing a cool head across the last line. Playing a sweeping role, he was consistently there to outnumber and mop up the spills, but also had the aerial power to split marking contests. Webster was among the kick-in takers and distributed the ball with minimal fuss, while playing the conditions well to surge forward in any way possible. The damage would have been greater if not for his presence.

#20 Angus Williams
Key Forward/Defender | 193cm | 13/05/2008

Stats: 18 disposals, 5 marks, 5 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Williams played roles at either end of the ground, starting forward before doing a mountain of work down back after half time. He presented hard up the ground as a forward, showing great mobility to provide a marking target up the line. He slotted the game’s first goal from a free kick, but arguably looked most at home in defence where he could read the play and intercept. Williams was difficult to beat in the air and stayed engaged at ground level as a wall deep inside Murray’s d50.

GWV REBELS:

#4 Ethan Drever
Midfielder | 188cm | 10/07/2008

Stats: 30 disposals, 6 marks, 6 clearances, 1 goal

Even in the most dour conditions, Drever looked a level above the rest. He handled the ball better than anyone and used it near-perfectly by hand, showing great poise with every touch. His elite distributive skills and sheer power were assets at stoppage, while he got to show some dynamism with combination play through the corridor. As is becoming tradition, Drever slammed home a running goal in the fourth term straight out the front of a centre ball-up. All class.

#6 Harrison Welsh
Midfielder | 179cm | 23/08/2009

Stats: 26 disposals, 6 marks, 12 tackles, 10 inside 50s

Complimenting Drever in midfield, Welsh provided dangerous spurts of speed in the attacking phase. He had the hands and core strength to impact at stoppage, before using that turn of foot to break away and launch kicks inside 50. Welsh was then prominent in transition and surged the ball forward at all costs. He was also willing to tackle hard, cracking in to lay a game-high 12.

#14 Archie Elliott
Forward | 182cm | 10/08/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 4 marks, 2 goals

Elliott was GWV’s main attacking avenue, providing a focal point with his leading patterns in the final third. While able to hold his own aerially, Elliott was just as threatening at ground level and generally attacked each contest with vigour. He gained reward for such competitiveness with two goals and had chances for more, although it was a difficult day to get clean looks at the big sticks.

#22 Klay Nicholls
Defender | 187cm | 15/05/2008

Stats: 22 disposals, 4 marks, 7 rebound 50s

Although GWV held the territorial advantage, Nicholls was there to intercept and repel many of Murray’s attacking forays. He attacked the aerial ball strongly and proved capable of playing above his 187cm standing, helping build a wall across half-back. Nicholls was also the main distributor from kick-ins, not afraid to take ground and launch the ball long, but capable of providing link-up play. In any case, he got the ball moving quickly after winning it back countless times.

#23 Jackson O’Brien
Ruck | 205cm | 05/06/2008

Stats: 11 disposals, 4 marks, 22 hitouts

O’Brien was up against it in the early stages but ended up with the momentum in the ruck battle. He took advantage of when Murray rotated its first string option, utilising his reach and leap to get first touch on the ball. O’Brien then showed his mobility around the ground, drifting into good spots across half-forward to mark uncontested and send the ball inside 50. He is improving his ability to impact with ball in hand and provide a marking target up and down the line.