The Bushies will welcome back a host of talented teenagers for the NAB League under-19 round 11 fixture.
Headlining the list of ins for the 1pm clash at Wangaratta Showgrounds are Shepparton Swans’ Josh Rachele, Mooroopna's Tom Brown and Shepparton's Achoung Agog.
And it is a timely return for Murray which is set to take on the competition's second-ranked outfit.
Murray coach Mark Brown welcomed the return of the star performers, but was quick to highlight that the result would not be gifted to his charges.
“We should field close to our strongest side this weekend,” Brown said.
“The APS and Vic Country boys will be available for selection. But we know that it certainly doesn't guarantee we will get a good result.
“We have got to continue on from our first half last week against Bendigo.
“We are coming up against one of the stronger metro sides who have been tracking quite well. It's going to be a good test for the boys.”
Rachele is coming off a two-goal outing for Vic Country in its trial game, while Brown has been unsighted for the past couple of months due to an ankle injury.
“It is always nice to welcome back top-end talent,” Brown said.
“Tom comes back in after an ankle injury and it's going to take him some time to get back up to speed.
“He'll be happy to be out there and we're rapt to have him. He'll provide strong runs off half-back and great intercept presence as well.
“And Josh gives us some goal-scoring prowess that we have lacked in recent weeks.”
The Bushrangers’ under-16 outfit will be looking to keep the momentum going on Friday.
The youngsters enjoyed a 13-point triumph over Bendigo Pioneers last week and will be hunting for back-to-back wins when they take on Gippsland Power.
Mooroopna's Coby James and Shepparton Swans’ Manny Laulu shone in the win, while Shepparton United's Joeve Cooper kicked a goal.
“The 16s are coming off a good result last weekend. They get another look at it on Friday and it's good experience for them,” Brown said.
“This will be the last 16s match before the program slows down over the coming months.”
The Bushrangers mentor had a message for teenagers across the Goulburn Valley region who missed out on selection in the under-16s.
And that was to keep working hard on their craft.
“A big thing to remember is that no footy last year really hurt many juniors,” he said.
“We know that there will be plenty of under-16 talent out there that we haven't identified. We are constantly watching games and looking at results to see who is performing well.”
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