Round seven of the competition pits the Bushies against an unbeaten Sandringham Dragons, with no easy swing first up for locals throwing back on the black, yellow and purple.
However, after a bulk of players spent time back at their home Goulburn Valley League clubs – many of which played senior football during the interim – coach Mark Brown said the hiatus would have kept them in polished touch.
“I think it certainly creates an opportunity for them to improve their contested craft, there’s no doubt about that ― against bigger, stronger bodies, in more physical games,” he said.
“We see the benefits of going back to their community clubs and especially for those who get the opportunity to play senior football.
“It’s the one area of the game that recruiters are pretty big on – you’ve got to be strong, you’ve got to be good in the contest, so getting an opportunity to execute that against fully grown men is really important.”
Saturday’s game at Wangaratta Showgrounds is framed as a shot at redemption for the Bushrangers, especially when taking into account the sides’ last meeting.
The Dragons knocked Brown’s brigade out in an electric finals series stoush, winning the wildcard contest by 10 points to then go on to win their next three finals.
Brown expects another stern assignment, but placed full faith in his talented pool of players.
“It’s always interesting playing Sandringham, especially at this time of year because they lose so many kids to private school,” he said.
“Regardless of who’s in or out, given the strength of their region, they’re always strong.
“It’s always a good challenge, we understand that they’ll have plenty of talent.
“We’re pretty stacked in that department as well; we’ve got some talented kids in our squad, so we’ve just got to make sure that we play to our capabilities.”
Mooroopna’s Coby James and Shepparton United’s Oscar Ryan are two of the stars Brown speaks of, both head-turners for Vic Country under-18s against Young Guns at the weekend.
“Oscar and Coby were both standouts in the against Young Guns; Oscar topped the Vic Country with 27 (touches) and Coby was next best with 26, so their performance against good opposition in what is essentially the last trial game for Vic Country was really impressive.
“They’re starting to prove that not only do they belong at the standard, but they can excel at the standard.”
On the girls front, Emma Mackie’s Bushrangers eye off a road trip to take on Brisbane Lions Academy at Highgate Recreation Reserve.
The Bushies go in search of their first win following a tough string of three losses to start the campaign, however the Lions are a relative unknown having yet to debut in the season so far.
Like the boys outfit, many of the Bushrangers’ local talents have spent the break turning out for Youth Girls’ sides in the Northern Country Women’s League.
The likes of Holly Egan and Ellie Armstrong have put in strong performances for Shepparton Swans, as have Olivia McGie and Charli Guppy for counterpart Shepparton United.
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