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EVEN before the opening siren of Saturday's inter-league tussle at the QEO, Outer East coach Nick Rutley could sense the challenge that his team confronted in Bendigo.
"The reality is Bendigo put in more preparation than we did. They had far more buy-in, and even just the little things you saw before the game in their unity, you could tell there was a real want and as a coach you know 'geez, they're on'," Rutley said post-match.
"And then talking to Darryl (Wilson, Bendigo coach), who is a ripping guy and really well respected here, he gets buy-in from that, so it's just a massive learning for our competition."
The higher-ranked Outer East was handed a 99-point thrashing from Bendigo as the Blue and Gold produced a brutal inter-league performance, winning 18.17 (125) to 3.8 (26).
It was a forgettable first inter-league showing for Outer East, which was formed this year after the combining of the former Yarra Ranges and South East leagues.
The way Bendigo moved the ball and the way they set up, hopefully, in time we can aspire to be like that
- Nick Rutley - Outer East coach
"I know we're calling it a new competition, but it is two existing leagues coming together, so there is a school of thought that we should be stronger," Rutley said.
"We had a squad of 60, but a lot people made themselves unavailable and we had a lot of injuries at the back end, which hurts.
"But at the same time, our depth of talent spreads over a long way, whereas Bendigo is still pulling from where it always has, so there's a lot from a league standpoint we can learn from today.
"Although the scoreboard suggested it was a mauling today, the guys never threw the towel in, so I was proud of that, and we've got some young 19 and 20-year-olds who will learn a lot from today playing against the likes of Sam Heavyside, Jack Geary, Adam Baird, Lachlan Sharp, Rhys Magin...
"The way Bendigo moved the ball and the way they set up, hopefully, in time we can aspire to be like that. Full credit to Bendigo, I was really impressed by the day."
Outer East gave its best player medal to defender and co-captain Brandon Osborne, who had an entertaining duel with Bendigo's Lachlan Sharp (two goals).
Outer East was restricted to one goal in the second quarter and two in the last.
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