Bushrangers’ charging defeat by Oakleigh

TACKLE PRESSURE… From left, Murray Bushrangers players, Kate Adams, Abby Favell and Ellie Mifka applying tackle pressure to the Oakleigh Chargers. Photo: Will Adams.
TACKLE PRESSURE… From left, Murray Bushrangers players, Kate Adams, Abby Favell and Ellie Mifka applying tackle pressure to the Oakleigh Chargers. Photo: Will Adams.
TACKLE PRESSURE… From left, Murray Bushrangers players, Kate Adams, Abby Favell and Ellie Mifka applying tackle pressure to the Oakleigh Chargers. Photo: Will Adams.
TACKLE PRESSURE… From left, Murray Bushrangers players, Kate Adams, Abby Favell and Ellie Mifka applying tackle pressure to the Oakleigh Chargers. Photo: Will Adams.

THE Murray Bushrangers battled hard all game in their Round 6 NAB League defeat at the hands of Oakleigh Chargers by 55 points at Warrawee Park, Oakleigh.

Charli Boschetti kicked truly in the first minute of play to give the Bushies the start they wanted and Chelsea Styan was rewarded for her crunching tackle, surprising her opponent as she ran onto the ground from the bench. Tali Verhoeven scored another from 45 to keep the scores even at two goals a piece at the first change.

The second quarter saw the Bushies defence under pressure as the Chargers continued to add to their inside 50 entries, with the Bushrangers struggling to get the ball clear and when they did, only to have the ball come straight back as the Chargers continued to attack.

The Bushrangers were still well and truly in the game after the main break. Lily Sharp and Sophie Locke’s relentless tackling continued to give their teammates opportunities but the Chargers put their foot down, keeping the Bushies scoreless and were outclassed by skill, decision making, attack on the footy and a greater effort all over the ground going into the last break with a handy six goal advantage.

The final quarter again saw the Bushrangers defence under enormous attack with Kate Adams and Abby Favell in the thick of the action at every contest, endeavouring to move the ball forward. The Chargers had more numbers around the footy catching the Bushies flat footed and continued to pepper the goals blowing the margin out to 55 points and a comfortable win, leaving the Bushrangers with plenty of work to do for the rest of the season.

With a general bye this weekend for Easter, the girls will look to regroup going into the final three NAB League rounds of the 2019 season.