Murray Bushrangers girls struggle on Shepparton soil

By Jesse Robertson-Torres and Rechelle Zammit

May 14, 2024

On the board: Murray Bushrangers’ Nikhita Spiteri held her head high with a goal in a tough defeat. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

There were contrasting fortunes for the two top-aged Murray Bushrangers teams on Sunday at Deakin Reserve.

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Meeting with the Oakleigh Chargers on both fronts, the Bushrangers girls ran into a side that had made a sweeping start to its Coates Talent League campaign.

The local girls were up against it from the outset as Oakleigh piled on 11 unanswered scoring shots in the first term.

There was relief and a moment to celebrate for the Bushrangers as Nikhita Spiteri got the home side on the board with what turned out to be its only major of the afternoon.

With the contest largely out of reach by the main break, the Chargers went about their ladder-leading business ruthlessly, eventually notching a dominant 19.16 (130) to 1.4 (10) victory.

In the thick of it: Oakleigh's Emma Stark and Murray Bushrangers' Leila Creevey. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

There was plenty for the Holdsworth family to enjoy despite the result, with sisters Jazmine, Crystal and Latoya all playing together in Murray colours for the first time — on Mother’s Day, no less.

Directing traffic: Murray Bushrangers' Matilda Henderson. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

No easy possession: Murray Bushrangers' Claudia Plattfuss and Oakleigh's Daisy Bird. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

The Bushrangers, now 0-4 for the year, have a bye this weekend before taking on the Calder Cannons — who also remain winless — next Saturday at Wangaratta Showgrounds.