Gallery | Boys and Girls Bushrangers shot down, but potential draftees’ stocks continue to rise

Having toppled ladder leader Sandringham by 18 points the week prior, the Bushrangers boys were heading into the match in fine form.

However, Bushrangers coach Mark Brown said his side wasn’t mentally ready for Saturday’s contest.

“It just shows how important taking the right mindset into games is,” Brown said.

“We played the top side a week earlier and defeated them by three goals and controlled the contest for about 70 per cent of the game.

“On the weekend, against another good side in Dandenong, we obviously didn’t come to compete, and we never looked like we were in the game from the moment the ball bounced down.”

Dandenong kicked 28-8 in the opening term before extending the lead with each quarter that passed.

The final score finished 6.8 (44) to 15.11 (101), with the fifth-placed Stingrays claiming an impressive 57-point win — Bushrangers currently sit seventh on the ladder.

Dandenong star Cooper Hynes — who is climbing quickly up the draft board rankings — hurt the Bushrangers badly in the midfield and attack, finishing the match with 28 disposals and three goals.

Playing in defence, versatile Bushrangers tall Matt Whitlock saw much of the action, collecting 24 touches and 11 marks.

Meanwhile, his twin brother Jack was the Bushrangers go-to man up forward, finishing the game with 15 disposals and kicking 2.3.

Jack and Matt have been used at either end of the ground for the Bushrangers in 2024, but Brown has an inkling as to which third of the field they are best suited to.

“Without putting a blanket over it because there are so many different elements that contribute to selection and where they sit,” he said.

“I think in our best side, (Jack and Matt) both play forward.”

One Bushrangers star missing on Saturday was Shepparton Swans’ Oliver Warburton.

The gun midfielder-defender was playing his last game of school football for Caulfield Grammar after making his debut for Collingwood in the VFL the week prior.

Warburton will play his second match for the Magpies this weekend in their game against Sydney’s VFL side.

Brown said that when Bushrangers players get the call-up to the VFL, he and the other staff prefer to let the VFL coaches handle the advice and instructions.

“We are really cognisant of staying in our lanes,” he said.

“When Olly gets an opportunity to play VFL football, we don’t lean in, as he will get enough advice and feedback from Collingwood; he doesn’t need another voice.

“From us, it is just to embrace the opportunity, listen to your coaches and enjoy it.

“He obviously played very good in his first game against Richmond two weeks ago and I am sure he will stand up well again.”

In round 15 of the Coates Talent League Girls’ competition, the Murray Bushrangers suffered a 37-point loss to Dandenong.

The Bushrangers led 8-6 at quarter-time and were hunting their first win of the season.

However, the Stingrays burst out of the blocks in the second quarter and never looked back.

The final score finished 1.5 (11) to 7.6 (48).

Bushrangers captain Holly Egan was again impressive for her side.

The talented half-back flanker had 25 disposals, seven rebound 50s and six tackles in a typically dominant display.

Nathalia’s Claudia Plattfuss toiled hard in the ruck, collecting eight hit-outs and three disposals.