Despite a determined first half, Murray Bushrangers have fallen short of a victorious finish to its 2025 Coates Talent League regular season campaign.

After 19 rounds of action, the Bushrangers’ home and away season drew to a close against Geelong at Deakin Reserve.

The visitors started with spirited intentions, kicking the first three majors of the day, but the Bushrangers’ bottom-ager Hunter Howell reeled one back before quarter-time to place momentum in Murray’s favour.

Ill accuracy in front of the big sticks saw Murray unable to capitalise on repeat entries inside 50 at the beginning of the second term, before the Falcons rebounded and made the most of their attacking transition.

While it could have been a goal that sucked the energy out of the playing group, back-to-back goals followed for the Bushrangers thanks to sharpshooting efforts by Blake Newton and Harry Moon.

Geelong replied again but Murray would not enter the half-time break with dampened spirits, as Josh Porter slotted a major and celebrated with passion.

Bushrangers coach Mark Brown noted there was a clear scoring end at the Shepparton oval, and was proud of the fightback from the under-18 troops after Geelong jumped out the gates.

“They jumped us a bit early, but we expected it as our boys haven’t played Talent League in a couple of weeks,” Brown said.

“We thought it would take five, 10 minutes to warm into the contest, but it took a bit longer than that.

“In the second quarter we fought back really well ... we got better in the contest and just started to use the ball a bit better, denying their corridor and the easy use.”

Trailing by 10 points, there was belief in the Murray camp that a final round upset could be delivered, especially after an Archer Hueston goal brought the home side within a kick following a physical “arm wrestle” in the opening 10 minutes of the second half.

But Geelong’s defence would stamp itself on the contest soon thereafter, and deliver stifling pressure and aerial prowess that would not concede another goal for the remainder of the match.

The Bushrangers could only sneak in another point by full-time while the Falcons flew by with seven second half majors to claim a 52-point victory, 5.5 (35) to 12.15 (88).

While the Bushies sit 12th on the ladder (without inclusion of Northern Academy teams), the curtains have not closed on their season, as Murray is set to take on Dandenong in the Talent League’s unique, and complicated, wildcard round.

Should Murray upset the top-four side its season will remain alive into September, but Brown admits it will be an almighty challenge for a Bushrangers side set to play without its best draft talent.

“It’ll be a very big test for us,” Brown said.

“Our top-end, real draftable talent isn’t available, we’re nursing injuries and our focus is to make sure they’re right for day one of pre-season next year as opposed to playing out the back end of this year.”

Touted first-round selection in this year’s AFL National Draft Riley Onley will continue to rest on the sidelines, while Carlton father-son prospect Harry Dean won’t play again after he took to the field on Sunday, set to go under the knife for an off-season shoulder operation.

“Given (the unavailabilities), it makes our job harder but it allows us to give opportunities to other boys to play football at this level and get a real clear understanding of what it takes to be a potentially draftable footballer,” Brown said.

Earlier in the day, the girls’ side was able to finish the regular season on a high note, with a first-half goal-scoring shut out of its opposition.

The Falcons were held to three behinds to half-time, while the Bushrangers kicked 3.3 (21) to hold a solid advantage.

The match evened up in the second half, but Murray’s early defence held firm to score a 5.6 (36) to 2.7 (19) result over Geelong by the final siren.

Finishing fifth on the league ladder, the Bushies girls will earn a home wildcard round fixture with the opportunity to press on to finals action.

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Saturday, 25th March 2023

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