They now have two on the jump to kick off the 2025 Coates Talent League season — but they were made to work for it.
Following their 65-point thrashing of Bendigo, the Bushies found themselves in a 16-point hole at Epsom Huntly Reserve against Gippsland Power.
However, Rose Bell and Echuca United star Jerrah Caruso sparked the comeback, orchestrating five unanswered goals in a dominant second quarter display.
The Bushies, leading 36-24, could muster only one goal in the third quarter as the Power stole back a slender one-point lead, setting up a thrilling finale.
This year though, the Bushrangers have adopted the winning mentality needed to stave off a last-quarter assault, which they did to run away an accurate 10.4 (64) to 7.10 (52) winner and jump to second on the ladder.
On the flip side, the Bushrangers boys have slipped to 0-3 following a 70-point loss at the hands of Geelong Falcons at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Shepparton Swans forward Flynn Grumley managed to boot one of the Bushrangers’ three goals in the 3.10 (28) to 15.8 (98) loss, while Shepparton United’s Tanner Armstrong and Numurkah’s Harry Moon battled gallantly in defeat.
But the Shepparton faithful would have been delighted to see Angus Williams’ name on the team sheet for the first time, called up for his debut after progressing from the Bushrangers’ under-16 squad.
In the under-16 bout with Geelong, the Bushrangers again found themselves on the end of a loss to the Falcons, but battled strongly in a see-sawing encounter on Thursday, also at QEO.
Shepparton midfielder Lincoln Brand played an eye-catching role to be named in the best players despite the 14-point defeat.
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