BOASTING a host of Vic Country and Allies representatives, Murray Bushrangers got back on the winner’s list with a strong 26-point win over Northern Knights. In what was ultimately a tight clash in Seymour, the Bushrangers booted three goals to nil in the third term to really create some breathing room and run out 9.8 (62) to 5.6 (36) victors.

We took note of some of the eye-catchers with a focus on Victorian and Allies representation.

MURRAY BUSHRANGERS:

#5 Eliza Roche
Forward | 165cm | 03/03/2008

Stats: 17 disposals, 4 marks, 8 tackles, 2 clearances, 6 inside 50s, 2 goals

The dynamic small was lively throughout the match with her ability to push up the ground and be an option and also be a threat around the big sticks was real. Her first half in particular was where Roche did all the damage, first keeping her feet around half-forward as others lost their’s to then stream inside 50 and slot a brilliant goal from the wrong pocket for a left-footer. She made the most of every second in the half, banging home a second goal in the last few seconds from a tight angle in the opposite pocket. Continued to pressure throughout and had her fair share of battles with Allen.

#6 Skylah McPherson
Midfielder/Forward | 169cm | 22/01/2008

Stats: 15 disposals, 2 marks, 7 tackles, 2 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 2 goals, 2 behinds

McPherson started on-ball through the first half and then spent more time forward in the second half, with a few half-chances early. A dropped mark from intercepting the kickout to be wrapped up immediately at half-back followed by a look on goal that went across the face were opportunities, but she would hit the scoreboard in the third quarter when she made good on both those elements – making good on a turnover from the kickout via Perri and finishing with the six points. Had a couple of other chances along the way as well, but what was a constant was McPherson’s pressure with the top-ager not giving her opponent an inch.

#9 Carmela Perri
Midfielder | 168cm | 15/10/2008

Stats: 30 disposals, 5 marks, 5 tackles, 3 clearances, 5 inside 50s, 1 rebound 50

The tough midfielder battled and bruised her way to 30 touches and was able to impact both on the inside and the outside. Her fast first few steps help create a point of difference, and she naturally has the will for contest-to-contest work. She set up McPherson’s goal off an intercept mark at half-forward, though most of her best work was actually done up the ground. Often she would fire out handballs from contested situations, and if her execution didn’t pan out, would follow up with a tackle or bump. Threw herself at everything, and while her polish by foot is an area to keep improving, her strength and competitive attitude is first class.

#10 Charlie Gibson
Utility | 171cm | 1405/2009

Stats: 25 disposals, 8 marks, 2 tackles, 5 clearances, 3 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 goal

Got the chance to start on-ball and then rotated into defence at times before drifting forward late in the game and hitting the scoreboard. The latter involved a nice mark inside 50 and converting the set shot from 35 metres out with just over a minute remaining in the match, while the bulk of her disposals came in transition further afield. She was quick by hand around the stoppages, took a number of key marks as an option in space, and was relentless at ground level. She won an equal game-high eight hardball gets – which considering she took eight marks – is superb, and really emphasised her strength in the air or on the deck.

#24 Rose Bell
Defender | 170cm | 18/03/2008

Stats: 20 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 2 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s

The ever-reliable Bell was a rock in the back half and consistently provided important rebound from defence. She was there to mop up and clear the immediate danger, and while her penetrating boot and elite footy smarts almost always allow her to do so, she did find a few times the Knights were well set up to intercept. Has the ability to take the game on down the middle, and knows when to go fast and when to play it safe which is a big tick. She rushed a couple of behinds including an early touch on the goalline that saved a certain six-pointer.

#30 Evie Henley
Utility | 173cm | 13/07/2009

Stats: 25 disposals, 5 marks, 4 tackles, 6 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

Like Gibson, the bottom-ager seemed to find herself in all areas of the ground, though on-ball was her primary role. She has clean hands through traffic and a strong frame that enables her to compete against almost anyone, while doing well one-on-one when rotated forward to be a marking target. Her clunk at the top of the goalsquare when starting forward in the second term was only ever going to end one way, and her knack for standing up in tackles and still delivering to open teammates is a great skill. She spent time behind the ball assisting in the defensive 50 and was and impressive player throughout even if her final execution by foot could be tidied a up a bit.

NORTHERN KNIGHTS:

#1 Somer McCormack
Midfielder/Forward | 162cm | 22/01/2008

Stats: 30 disposals, 3 marks, 7 tackles, 5 clearances, 4 inside 50s, 5 rebound 50s, 1 goal

McCormack was the other player with Gibson to win eight hardball gets, a phenomenal effort given unlike her opponent, McCormack is far lighter and only 162cm. However she can pack a punch with her defensive pressure, and it showed through her game, accumulating plenty of the ball and getting her hands dirty without it. She can rack up the pill with quick hands at the coalface, then hit the scoreboard when pushing forward. Her goal came after a free kick and subsequent set shot inside 50 during the first quarter. Played the bulk of the game in the midfield and never stopped running.

#2 Maddison Meagher
Wing | 164cm | 02/08/2008

Stats: 14 disposals, 2 marks, 6 tackles, 4 clearances, 1 inside 50

Meagher is rarely going to post similar numbers to a lot of her peers given both her role and relative strengths and improvements. She is only light – though is massive defensively – and in a game where the bulk of the match was contested, she was often waiting in the wings – literally – to break it open with a quick burst here or there. A touch fumbly at ground level in the conditions, Meagher worked into thegame well and had her usual few memorable highlights with zipping away from opponents and leaving them in her wake. She tended to add an extra number around the stoppage when the ball tended to be locked in, and kicked a fortuitous goal inside 50 from a snap after a teammate smotehred a defender and the ball landed in her lap.

#5 Lola Stone
Forward/Wing | 172cm | 27/05/2008

Stats: 13 disposals, 4 marks, 3 tackles, 1 clearance, 3 inside 50s, 1 goal, 1 behind

The Vic Metro representative had her moments, and kicked a goal one minute into the contest after a nice mark in the forward pocket and deadeye set shot. She continued to present and took a number of good grabs, while also pushing up and spending time on the wing to get more involved when the Bushrangers were on top of the game. The conditions made it difficult for finding pure targets further afield so her efficiency was down, but she bobbed up with some valuable contributions.

#12 Deena Gerges
Midfielder/Forward | 175cm | 21/06/2010

Stats: 14 disposals, 2 marks, 5 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 rebound 50s

The double bottom-ager won the first centre clearance and rotated between midfield and attack, and while she has had bigger games, still looked dangerous each time she went near it. Had a ping on goal during the third term from long-range but didn’t quite connect right and wit went out on the full. When in traffic she was effective by hand and getting out of it was also a key trait. Another chance on goal after a neat sidestep in the fourth term saw the ball rushed across after marginally falling short, but Gerges is a good size and building nicely for a couple of years time.

#17 Alli Allen
Defender | 172cm | 15/10/2008

Stats: 30 disposals, 6 marks, 7 tackles, 3 clearances, 2 inside 50s, 3 rebound 50s, 1 behind

Clearly a standout for the Knights in defeat, the Vic Metro MVP played with added confidence coming off that carnival. Her proactive plays and greater aggressive daring moments were far more frequent than in the past, and while that did open her up a touch out the back than what she would have previously, still remained accountable and was defensively strong. One of the most competitive players going around, Allen places a high emphasis on ball retention, and her short, sharp passes were almost always effective, and while at times some of her longer forays would come back with interest, it was that kind of game with heavy numbers helping out for both sides behind the ball. Took some terrific intercept marks and her lovely looping handball at half-forward in the first term really opened up the play with a rare shot on goal almost bouncing home but was rushed on the line by Bell.