Shepparton United’s Blake Sofra has salvaged a split-points result for the Murray Bushrangers after kicking a clutch red-time goal against the Bendigo Pioneers on Saturday - although his celebration was short-lived as the young gun copped the metaphorical sniper shot to the leg.
In the round two Talent League clash, the Bushrangers hosted Echuca’s Cody Walker-led Bendigo Pioneers at Wangaratta Showgrounds, and delivered a sizeable response to its thrashing lost last weekend.
While the projected number one father-son pick Walker proved he is destined for more than a Goulburn Valley League career, amassing 30 touches and a goal, Murray’s resounding improvement was apparent as the team notched a draw against its talented opposition.
Kicking to what became the scoring end in the first term despite no obvious wind advantage, the Bushrangers established a near five-goal lead at quarter time, kicking seven majors in the opening period.
The Pioneers would respond, but two late goals - including one from Nathalia’s River Freeman - ensured Murray kept its lead at the main break.
Sofra and Seymour’s Rory Kennedy did the damage in the third term, but Bendigo stayed in the hunt to remain within two straight kicks at the final change of ends.
Bendigo raced away with four goals to begin the last term, enjoying a wet sail, but Murray would doggedly fight to keep itself in the contest.
Shepparton’s Jack Mellington tied the game at 89-apiece with eight minutes to go, before Bendigo struck once again after the team’s exchanged behinds.
At 90-96, Murray had it locked in its forward half for a sustained period, before Sofra was hit up in the pocket, holding the Sherrin in the gusty breeze to line up for a potential match-saver.
The Demons forward took his 30 seconds, and kicked truly, as the game clock ticked under two minutes to play, before cramping up as his teammates ran to celebrate.
The ball pinged around the ground in desperate times for either side, but no Talent League club could get the ball to the goalmouth for a score in the dying seconds, recording the competition’s first draw since the Bushrangers tied with the Northern Knights in round 15, 2024.
“It was a real clutch goal from an angle close to the boundary line,” Murray coach Justin McMahon said.
“It was a great effort from Blake to keep his head and execute under that pressure.”
McMahon also spoke glowingly of Shepp United-Rumbalara prodigy Tanner Armstrong, who matched up on Walker for the game and recorded identical influence on the contest with 30 disposals and a goal.
“(Armstrong on Walker) was a real highlight,” McMahon said.
“We thought he was outstanding going head to head against a good player like Cody.”
McMahon was proud of his squad for its fight late in the contest, as Bendigo looked set to blaze away in the final term.
“We had to lean into our defence and make it a bit of an arm wrestle,” he said.
“It was really pleasing at the end to not throw the towel in and pinch a couple goals back, and give it a crack at the end to try win.”
Next week the Bushrangers travel to Preston to take on the Northern Knights, the Talent League’s current top side with a mammoth percentage after 73 and 58-point wins.
Murray will be without Mooroopna’s Mac Calleja - for some time too - after he broke his collarbone in the clash, McMahon eyeing fresh blood for the trip to the northern suburbs.
“The challenges keep coming and Northern are a really good side from all accounts,” McMahon said.
“We copped a few injuries on the weekend as well, some it’ll give some new guys some opportunity, which is an exciting silver lining.”
The under-16 Bushranger boys secured a 13-point win over Bendigo in their final game for the year, with Euroa’s Oliver Wilson etching his name in the best.
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