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BEECHWORTH had the ideal hit out against a feisty Dederang-Mount Beauty last week in the lead-up for its ladder defining run home to the finals.
The Bushrangers remain second on the ladder on percentage behind Yackandandah and a game clear of Chiltern after downing the Bombers 10.14 74 to Dederang-Mount Beauty 2.1 13.
Bushrangers co-coach Tom Cartledge said it was a tough day at the office for his side in bitterly cold conditions and up against a willing Bombers outfit.
"The conditions were horrendous," Cartledge said.
"It was about two degrees and there was constant rain.
"I think it was about the coldest day I've ever played footy in."
Despite the conditions contributing to the physical encounter Beechworth escaped any major injuries, except a few superficial injuries including head clashes, but with all incidents free of any concussion issues.
"Dederang-Mount Beauty put up a great fight the entire game," Cartledge said.
"It was a good contested game of footy although it probably looked pretty ugly from the sidelines due to the conditions."
"Brenton Surrey relished the conditions, he's Master of the Mud, he absolutely led the charge.
"Liam Stevens in the ruck played well in the conditions, for a big man he's very clean below the knees, and Dylan Pritchard was impressive, he snagged a few goals (three) but was just as prominent higher up the ground.
"Hamish Malsem was super solid in defence and through the midfield."
Kayde Surrey and Cartledge himself were also named in the best while Brad Fendyk and Clancy Ellett were the other multiple goal scorers booting two goals each.
The team's focus now turns to this weekend's clash against Wodonga Saints at Martin Park Wodonga after the Saints pushed Barnawartha all the way last weekend, going down by just five points.
"Wodonga has certainly improved and their close matches have been in the wet," Cartledge said.
"We're definitely taking them seriously, this will be the first of the big four games on the run home so we want to chisel that away for sure."
There are expected to be a few changes in the Bushrangers' line-up with several regulars unavailable for various personal reasons.
"We'll bring a few of the under 17s up who have been showing a bit and also a couple of the reserves who have been standing out," Cartledge said.
"It will be a bit of a new look side but it will still be a very good, competitive outfit."





