Murray Bushrangers


The Murray Bushrangers is an Australian rules football team playing in Victorian statewide under-18s competition, presently known as the Talent League, since 1993 based in Wangaratta. The team trains on Norm Minns Oval, Wangaratta.
The Under 18's boys team has been coached by Mark Brown from 2019 to 2024. The guernsey colours are Black, Purple and Gold, with black socks and black or white shorts.
The Bushrangers have produced some of the elite Australian Football League players through the AFL draft including Daniel Cross, Brett Deledio, Steele Sidebottom, Steve Johnson, Jarrad Waite, Kayne Pettifer, Justin Koschitzke, Hamish McIntosh, Barry Hall, Fraser Gehrig, Ben Mathews, Steven King, Robert Campbell, Alipate Carlile, David Mundy, Shannon Byrnes & Laitham Vandermeer in recent years.

Club history

The TAC Cup was established in 1992 following the disbandment of the VFL Under 19's competition, due to the ceasing of the Victorian state geographical zoning regions and was initially ran by the Victorian State Football League.
The Murray Bushrangers are based at Wangaratta, near the Victoria-NSW border and have been involved in the competition since 1993 when the competition added another four country teams, which brought the number of teams to twelve regions. The club's original home ground was at the W J Findlay Oval, Wangaratta between 1993 and 2011, before they moved into the new Wangaratta Sports Development Centre on the Norm Minns Oval at the Wangaratta Showgrounds in 2012.
The Murray Bushrangers supports local talent squads at Under 15 and Under 16 levels and co-ordinates the talented player pathways program for young aspiring AFL players throughout the North East and Goulburn Valley regions.
While the Murray Bushrangers forms an initial career path to the AFL for some, for many others it provides an outstanding experience of elite under 18 football, giving players a solid foundation for a successful playing and or coaching pathway at regional level.
Following season 1999, the AFL Reserves Grade was terminated leaving AFL clubs without a place to field their reserves players. The Kangaroos, together with the Ovens and Murray Football League launched their own stand-alone VFL club in the Victorian Football League called the Murray Kangaroos Football Club. The club's home games were split between Coburg City Oval in Melbourne, and Lavington Oval in Albury-Wodonga.
The side was made up with players from the Kangaroos, topped up with players from the Ovens and Murray Football League, and offering a second chance to players from the statewide under-18s Murray Bushrangers team who had missed out on the draft.
At the end of 2002, The Murray Kangaroos disbanded the club citing pressure from the AFL, and cost-cutting measures. North Melbourne instead decided to align with the Port Melbourne Football Club in a short-term deal.
Murray lost in the 2007 TAC Cup Grand Final to the Calder Cannons by 50 points and Ben McEvoy was selected in the TAC Team of the Year. 2008 saw the Bushrangers dominate the entire competition season finishing 1st at season end and defeating the Dandenong Stingrays by 81 points in the 2008 grand final and midfielder-forward Steele Sidebottom had a game-high 32 possessions and kicked 10.3 claiming best on ground honours.
The club has had three players who have won the League's best and fairest award, the Morrish Medal, Derek Murray, and Clayton Oliver. Interestingly, back in 1959, former Wangaratta Football Club player, Dom Glassenbury won the Morrish Medal when playing for Fitzroy Football Club Under 19's. as of 2024, Glassenbury still resides in Wangaratta.

Grand Finals

;Under 18's Boys
YearPremiersScoreRunner UpScoreVenueBest on Ground
1998Murray Bushrangers17.18 - 120Geelong Falcons12.12 - 84Melbourne Cricket GroundMichael Stevens
2003Calder Cannons16.14 - 110Murray Bushrangers2.6 - 18Melbourne Cricket GroundBrock McLean
2007Calder Cannons14.20 - 104Murray Bushrangers7.12 - 54Melbourne Cricket GroundAshley Arrowsmith
2008Murray Bushrangers21.16 - 142Dandenong Stingrays9.7 - 61Docklands Stadium/Etihad StadiumSteele Sidebottom
2016Sandringham Dragons12.13 - 85Murray Bushrangers9.14 - 68Docklands Stadium/Etihad StadiumAndrew McGrath

;Under 18's Girls
2017 - Murray Bushrangers finished 2nd on the ladder.

Statistical Record

;Yearly Ladder Placings
Year93000102030405060708091011121314151617182019 [NAB League Boys season|19]20212223242526
Position8th6th6th10th2nd1st1st*1st*1st*2nd2nd9th8th9th2nd1st*10th8th11th5th8th8th3rd2nd5th5th9thN/A12th9th13th7th16th

  • 1st*: Minor premiers
  • 1st: Bold - Major premiers

MBFC / AFL Draft Selections

The following 165 former Murray Bushranger footballers were drafted / traded to an AFL club, with 125 of these players going onto to play senior AFL football. 41 drafted players have not played senior AFL football as of the 25th July 2024.
  • "BR": B. Rookie; "MSRD": - Mid season rookie draft; "P": Pre-Season Draft; "PSSS": Pre season supplemental selection; "R": Rookie Draft; "T": - Trade; "Z": - Zone.
YearDraft No'sMurray Bushrangers FC - Player's Name
19932Fraser Gehrig: No.5, : No.30
19945Joel Smith: No.5, Shane Sikora: No.12, Adem Yze: No.16, No. 86, Steven King: P.
19956: No.14, Barry Hall: No.19, : No.36, : Z, Ben Mathews: Z, Adam Houlihan: P.
19964Rory Hilton: No.3, Hayden Lamaro: No.30, : No.86, : No.14R.
19977Joel McKay: No.15, Brad Stephens: No.27, : No.46, Leigh Newton: No.3P, Brad Campbell: No.15P, : No.3P, : No.59R
19986Michael Stevens: No.5, Murray Vance: No.6, Chris Lamb: No.13, Aaron Henneman: No.25, Derek Murray: No.54, : No.61.
19997Josh Fraser: No.1, : No.46, Andrew Mills: No.52, Robert Forster-Knight: No.72, Ryan Houlihan: No.73, Matthew Shir: No.83, : No.92.
200012Justin Koschitzke: No.2, Kayne Pettifer: No.9, Blake Campbell: No.31, Allan Murray: No.35, Chris Hyde: No.40, Sean O'Keeffe: No.46, Daniel Cross: No.56, : No.59, Marc Bullen: No.63, Robert Campbell: No.27R, Craig Ednie: No.52R, David Teague: No.57R.
20017Steve Johnson: No.24, Mark Powell: No.28, : No.34, Justin Davies: No.39, Mark McGough: No.43, Jarrad Waite: No.46, : No.49
20024Hamish McIntosh: No.9, Luke Mullins: No.7P, Jonathon McCormick: No.1R, Shannon Byrnes: No.40R.
20035Kane Tenace: No.3, Ryley Dunn: No.10, David Mundy: No.19, : No.11R, : No.59R.
20043Brett Deledio: No.1, Chris Egan: No.10, Michael Newton: No.43.
20053Marcus Drum: No.10, Beau Muston: No.22, Alipate Carlile: No.44
20063Ben Reid: No.8, : No.40R, : No.61R, Sam Rowe: No.62R
20075Ben McEvoy: No.9, Dawson Simpson: No.34, Daniel Boyle: No.31R, Dean Terlich: No.61R, Jarrod Harbrow: No.27R
20084Jack Ziebell: No.9, Steele Sidebottom: No.11, Sam Wright: No.27, Caleb Tiller: No.80.
20098Sam Reid: No.38, Brayden Norris: No.53, Taylor Duryea: No.69, Andrew Browne: No.94, Tom Rockliff: No.5P, Jamason Daniels: No.14R, Kayde Klemke: No.50R, Dylan McNeil: No.75R.
20105Shaun Atley: No.17, Josh Mellington: No.56, Jonathon Ceglar: T, Sam Schulz: Z, Mark Whiley: Z.
20116: No.47, : No.17R, Jack Crisp: No.40R, Jamie Elliott: T, : Z, Anthony Miles: Z.
20127Tom Clurey: No.29, Josh Prudden: No.50, Dean Terlich: No.68, Jack Crisp: No.86, Matt Taberner: No.11R, : No.40R, Zac Williams: No.54R.
20134Jarman Impey: No.21, Nick Holman: No.51, Matt Taberner: No.70, Zac Williams: No.95,
20147Caleb Marchbank: No.6, Daniel Howe: No.31, Nathan Drummond: No.52, Dougal Howard: No.56, Sam Schulz: No.1R, : No.19R, Kayne Turner: No.25R.
20155Josh Schache: No.2, Clayton Oliver: No.4, : No.42, : No.23R, : No.59R
201611Will Brodie: No.9, Jy Simpkin: No.12, Todd Marshall: No.16, Esava Ratugolea: No.43, : No.54, Ryan Garthwaite: No.72, Harry Morrison: No.74, James Cousins: No.46R, Max Lynch: No.51R, Alex Keath: No.58R, Zach Sproule: BR
20176Charlie Spargo: No.29, Ben Paton: No.46, Harry Jones: No.7R, Doulton Langlands: No.8R, Nick Holman: No.19R, Josh Prudden: No.35R
20187: No.21, Laitham Vandermeer: No.37, Jacob Koschitzke: No.52, : No.63, : No.66, Jordon Butts: No.39R, Michael Gibbons: PSSS
20192Lachlan Ash: No.4, Alex Keath: No.23T.
20203Elijah Hollands: No.7, Dominic Bedendo: No.55, Nick Murray: PSSS.
20215Josh Rachele: No.6, Tom Brown: No.17, Patrick Parnell: No.4MSRD, Sam Durham: No.9MSRD, Daniel Turner: No.24MSRD.
20226Oliver Hollands: No.11, : No.26, Caleb Mitchell: No.40, Joe Richards: No.48, Daniel Howe: No.33R, Kayne Turner: No.39R
20235Connor O'Sullivan: No.11, : No.12, Darcy Wilson: No.18, Oscar Ryan: No.27, Shaun Mannagh: No.36.
20246: No.7MSRD, Joe Berry: No.15, Matt Whitlock: No.27, Jack Whitlock: No.33, Riley Bice: No.41, Aidan Johnson: No.68.
20251Ewan Mackinlay: No.11MSRD, Harry Dean: No.3, Riley Onley: No.2R, Liam Hetherton: Cat B
TOTAL
YearNo'sMurray Bushrangers FC - Player's Name

Team of the Year players

The following players were selected in the TAC Cup / NAB Cup / Coates Talent League Under 18 team of the year side.
YearPlayer's Name
1993Fraser Gehrig
1994Joel Smith
1995Jason Sheather, Barry Hall
1996Hayden Lamaro
Matthew Hyde, Heath Younie, Derek Murray
1998Chris Lamb, Derek Murray
1999Craig Ednie, Josh Fraser, David Teague
Craig Ednie, Justin Koschitzke, Sean O'Keeffe
Mark McGough, Steve Johnson, Justin Davies
Corey Brown, Hamish McIntosh
Kane Tenace, Ryley Dunn, Lance Oswald
Marcus Drum, Brett Deledio
Tim Looby, Marcus Drum
No player selected
Ben McEvoy
Jack Ziebell, Tom Rockliff, Kade Klemke
Dylan McNeil
Shaun Atley, Anthony Miles
Jack Crisp
Tom Clurey
2013Michael Gibbons, Nick Holman
Daniel Howe, Nathan Drummond
Josh Schache, Clayton Oliver, Nick Coughlan
Will Brodie, James Cousins
Ben Paton
Lachlan Ash, Jordon Butts, Hudson Garoni, Ely Smith
Lachlan Ash
2020NAB Cup in recess > COVID-19
Josh Rachele
No player selected
Connor O'Sullivan, Darcy Wilson
2024

[All Australian Team] Selection

The following former Murray Bushrangers FC players were selected in various All Australian sides below.
;AFL - All Australian Side
YearPlayer's NameClub
1997Fraser GehrigWest Coast Eagles
2000Steven KingGeelong
2001Joel SmithHawthorn
2002Adam YzeMelbourne
2004Fraser GehrigSt. Kilda
Barry HallSydney Swans
2005Barry HallSydney Swans
2006Barry HallSydney Swans
2007Steve JohnsonGeelong
2008Steve JohnsonGeelong
2010Steve JohnsonGeelong
Barry HallSydney Swans
2011Ben ReidCollingwood
2014Tom RockliffBrisbane Lions
2015David MundyFremantle
2018Clayton OliverMelbourne
Steele SidebottomCollingwood
2021Clayton OliverMelbourne
2022Clayton OliverMelbourne

;Under 18 - All Australian Side
YearU/18 - Player's NameClub
1996Nathan TresizeYarrawonga
1998Chris LambWodonga Raiders
1999Brad HornLavington
2000Kayne PettiferKyabram
2001Mark McGoughMulwala
Steve JohnsonWangararatta
2002Ryley DunnShepparton
2003Ryley DunnShepparton
Kane TenaceShepparton
Shaun DalyCorowa Rutherglen
2004Brett DeledioKyabram
Marcus DrumCongupna
2005No player selected
2006No player selected
2007Ben McEvoyDederang / Mt. Beauty
2008Steele SidebottomCongupna
Jack ZiebellWodonga
2009Dylan O'NeillLavington
2010Shaun AtleyWodonga
2011No player selected
2012No player selected
2013No player selected
2014Caleb MarchbankBenalla
2015Josh SchacheSeymour
2016Will BrodieShepparton
2017Ben PatonMitta United
2018Jacob KoschitzkeAlbury
2019Lachlan AshShepparton
2020?
2021?
Oliver HollandsWodonga
Connor O'SullivanAlbury
Joe BerryWangaratta

;Under 17 - All Australian Side
YearU/17 - Player's NameClub
1994Shaun GordonCongupna
1995Adam HoulihanCorowa Rutherglen
Leigh MarshallDeniliquin
2006Ben ReidWangaratta Rovers
Tim McIntyreCorowa Rutherglen
Ben McEvoyDederang / Mt. Beauty
Ryan NormingtonShepparton United

;Underage Australian National Championships: Best Player Awards

AFL Rising Star Nominations

The following former Murray Bushrangers players were nominated as an AFL Rising Star.
YearNomineeClub
1995Joel SmithSt. Kilda
Fraser GehrigSt. Kilda
1996Adam YzeMelbourne
Steven KingGeelong
1997Adam HoulihanGeelong
1999Ben MathewsSydney Swans
2000Josh FraserCollingwood
Ryan HoulihanCarlton
Glen BowyerHawthorn
2001Aaron HennemanEssendon
Justin KoschitzkeSt. Kilda
2002Mark McGoughCollingwood
2003Marc BullenEssendon
Jarrad WaiteCarlton
2004Daniel CrossFootscray
Kane TenaceGeelong
2005Brett DeledioRichmond
Shannon ByrnesGeelong
2008Alipate CarlilePort Adelaide
2009Jack ZiebellNorth Melbourne
2010Ben ReidCollingwood
Tom RockliffBrisbane Lions
Sam WrightNorth Melbourne
2011Sam ReidSydney Swans
2013Zac WilliamsGWS
2014Matt TabernerFremantle
2016Clayton OliverMelbourne
2017Caleb MarchbankCarlton
2021Jacob KoschitzkeHawthorn
2022Elijah HollandsGold Coast Suns
Josh RacheleAdelaide Crows
2023Ollie HollandsCarlton
2024Darcy WilsonSt. Kilda

AFL Club Best & Fairest Award

The following former MBFC players have won an AFL club best and fairest award.
YearWinnerClub
2000Steven KingGeelong
2001Joel SmithHawthorn
Adam YzeMelbourne
2002Steven KingGeelong
2004Barry HallSydney Swans
David TeagueCarlton
2008Daniel CrossFootscray
Brett DeledioRichmond
2009Brett DeledioRichmond
2010David MundyFremantle
2011Tom RockliffBrisbane Lions
2014Tom RockliffBrisbane Lions
2017Steele SidebottomCollingwood
Clayton OliverMelbourne
2018Jarrod HarbrowGold Coast Suns
Steele SidebottomCollingwood
2019Clayton OliverMelbourne
2021Clayton OliverMelbourne
Jack CrispCollingwood
2022Clayton OliverMelbourne
Jack CrispCollingwood

AFL Premiership Players

The following former MBFC players have played in an AFL Premiership team
YearPlayerClub
2005Barry Hall *Sydney Swans
Ben MathewsSydney Swans
2007Shannon ByrnesGeelong
Steve JohnsonGeelong
Steven KingGeelong
2008Robert CampbellHawthorn
2009Shannon ByrnesGeelong
Steve JohnsonGeelong
2010Steele SidebottomCollingwood
Ben ReidCollingwood
2011Steve JohnsonGeelong
2012Sam ReidSydney Swans
2014Ben McEvoyHawthorn
Taylor DuryeaHawthorn
2015Ben McEvoyHawthorn
Taylor DuryeaHawthorn
2021Clayton OliverMelbourne
2023Jack CrispCollingwood
Steele SidebottomCollingwood

  • - *Premiership Captain

100 plus AFL Games

The following former MBFC players have played 100 plus senior AFL games.
As of 2025, there are -
  • 2 x 300 plus game players
  • 20 x 200 plus game players
  • 37 x 100 plus game players
Career SpanPlayerClubGames
2004 - 2022David MundyFremantle376
2009 - 2025Steele Sidebottom*Collingwood354
2002 - 2015Steve JohnsonGeelong &253
2016 - 2017GWS40
1996 - 2001Barry HallSt. Kilda &88
2002 - 2009Sydney Swans &162
2010 - 2011Footscray39
2008 - 2022Jack ZiebellNorth Melbourne280
2005 - 2016Brett DeledioRichmond &243
2018 - 2019GWS32
2012 - 2014Jack Crisp*Brisbane Lions &18
2015 - 2025Collingwood256
1995 - 2008Adam YzeMelbourne271
2007 - 2010Jarrod HarbrowFootscray70
2011 - 2021Gold Coast192
1995 - 2000Fraser GehrigWest Coast &115
2001 - 2008St. Kilda145
2008 - 2013Ben McEvoySt Kilda91
2014 - 2022Hawthorn161
2003 - 2014Jarrad WaiteCarlton &184
2015 - 2018North Melbourne60
1996 - 2007Steven KingGeelong &193
2008 - 2010St. Kilda47
2011 - 2021Shaun AtleyNorth Melbourne234
1995 - 1997Joel SmithSt. Kilda &58
1998 - 2007Hawthorn163
2000 - 2010Josh FraserCollingwood &200
2011 - 2012Gold Coast18
2009 - 2017Tom RockliffBrisbane Lions &154
2018 - 2021Port Adelaide54
2010 - 2018Taylor Duryea*Hawthorn &118
2019 - 2024Western Bulldogs88
2000 - 2011Ryan HoulihanCarlton201
2001 - 2013Justin KoschitzkeSt. Kilda200
1997 - 2008Ben MathewsSydney Swans198
2014 - 2017Jarman Impey*Port Adelaide &75
2018 - 2024Hawthorn113
2016 - 2024Clayton Oliver*Melbourne177
2010 - 2024Sam Reid*Sydney Swans181
2006 - 2016Alipate CarlilePort Adelaide167
2013 - 2020Zac Williams*GWS113
2021 - 2024Carlton38
2007 - 2020Ben ReidCollingwood152
2017 - 2024Jy Simpkin*North Melbourne136
2009 - 2019Sam WrightNorth Melbourne136
2013 - 2024Matt Taberner*Fremantle124
2017 - 2024Todd Marshall*Port Adelaide113
2014 - 2015Nick Holman*Carlton &9
2018 - 2024Gold Coast102
2013 - 2024Tom Clurey*Port Adelaide110
2011 - 2012Jonathon CeglarCollingwood0
2013 - 2021Hawthorn101
2022 - 2023Geelong9
2003 - 2012Hamish McIntoshNorth Melbourne &107
2013 - 2015Geelong19
2015 - 2022Daniel HoweHawthorn &96
2023North Melbourne11
2015 - 2019Dougal Howard*Port Adelaide &45
2020 - 2024St. Kilda57
Career SpanPlayerClubGames

  • - * Current player

MCFC Leading Goalkicker

The following MB players were the club's leading goal kickers.
YearPlayer's NameGoals
1993Jason Campbell
1994Jason McMartin
1995Barry Hall
1996Rohan Graham
1997Heath Younie
1998Ricky Symes
1999Brad Maxwell
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011Nick Warnock12
2012Joshua Porter18
2013Jydon Neagle16
2014Josh Schache27
2015Josh Schache*34
2016?
2017Daniel Johnston45
2018Hudson Garoni15
2019Hudson Kaak19
2020In recess>COVID-19
2021Cameron McLeod12
2022Braden George &19
Fletcher Hart19
2023Darcy Wilson17
2024Joshua Murphy*32

  • - * Also won the TAC Cup goalkicking

Murray Bushrangers FC Best Team, 1993 to 2012

The Murray Bushrangers FC celebrated their first twenty years in the pre-eminent under 18 boys football competition in Australia, the TAC Cup by announcing their best ever football side in July 2012.
;Murray Bushrangers FC Best Team - 1993 to 2012

Club Honourboard

  • 1st*: Minor premiers
  • 1st: Bold - Major premiers

[Talent League Girls]

  • Premierships : Nil
  • Runners-up : 2017