Live stream: Murray Bushrangers v Bendigo Pioneers, Coates Talent League, Round 19

Murray Bushrangers girls broke a season-long Coates League win drought in some style - and the good news didn’t stop there for the visitors. Catch up on the boys/girls twin bill REPLAYS.

A flurry of first quarter goals has propelled Murray Bushrangers to an impressive 30-point success over Bendigo Pioneers in a key final round Coates Talent League boys contest.

The Bushrangers burst out of the blocks, kicking six goals to two in the opening 25 minutes to take complete control of the contest.

Bendigo gradually worked their way back, but that early deficit proved too hard to reel in.

Jack Whitlock and Liam Hetherton kicked three goals each for the victors, while Matt Whitlock and Tanner Artmstrong nabbed two apiece.

Meanwhile, the Bushrangers girls team broke a season-long win drought by beating the Pioneers 50-33.

The girls had lost all 13 of their previous games, including a 69-41 defeat to Bendigo earlier in the year.

REPLAYS

Bendigo Pioneers v Murray Bushrangers (Girls)

PREVIEW

Murray Bushrangers talent manager Mick Wilson believes a team first mentality will be the best way for his charges to showcase their individual talents as AFL scouts go on the look out in the Coates Talent League.

While the Bushrangers are destined for the Coates Talent League wildcard round, Wilson knows players will be jostling for the limelight in their final round clash with Bendigo Pioneers on Saturday.

The clash will be exclusively live streamed on KommunityTV as part of a double header including the Coates Talent League girls showdown between the two regional sides.

Wilson hopes the final weeks of the season provides opportunities for players finishing the year strong to showcase their AFL traits.

Can the Bushrangers pull off a win?

“It’s a really good opportunity for the kids to play now considering we’ve got a full contingent with the private school and national competitions finished,” he said.

“All the teams, barring injuries, are at full strength so the recruiters will be excited by that and we’re excited because we get to see our players play against the best.

“Hopefully off the back of some good results in regards to the team playing well, we can get some kids over the line when it comes to draft time.”

While the clock is ticking for draft hopefuls, the Bushrangers urge their players to shy away from trying to do too much as it often has a negative impact on recruiters.

“As soon as the kids move away from that team-first mindset and play individual footy, they actually play worse,” he said.

“It’s amazing, if they’re team-first, work hard for each other and their teammates, they play better footy and the recruiters like that.

“That’s a consistent message from day one from us.

“I think they learn from the experience because when they do go away from the team they find it harder to impact a game or get possessions.

“When they’re doing the right thing by their team, it’s much easier to get into the game.”

One player who might be forcing his way into the notebooks of talent scouts around the country is speedster Coen Ainsworth.

While he wasn’t one of the six Bushrangers invited to the national combine, the midfielder has seen his numbers go “through the roof” in the back half of the season.

And it’s largely due to his top speed.

“Coen Ainsworth has been pretty consistent all year but his last couple of games have been really good,” Wilson said.

“He’s got elite speed, his max velocity and high-speed metres are through the roof.

“They’re numbers which would rate in the top-five percentile in the AFL right now, so we’re pretty excited by Coen and hoping he can finish the season off really well.”

Originally published as Live stream: Murray Bushrangers v Bendigo Pioneers, Coates Talent League, Round 19