Farrer League
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MARRAR returned to the winners' board in convincing style over Charles Sturt University on Saturday but the Bombers left Langtry Oval with a concerning casualty list.
The drama began during the pre-game warm-up when Simon Nalder strained his calf and was forced to pull out at the 11th hour, leaving Tim Cameron to run straight off the paddock from reserve grade and back on to play a second game.
Athletic centre half-forward Brad Turner was the next to go when he dislocated his shoulder early in the second quarter and opted for an early shower, spelling the end of his game.
The clash became heated in the third term when Marrar midfielder Callum Gardner was knocked unconscious, allegedly by an opposition player.
He also failed to return to the field, leaving the Bombers with a one-man bench for most of the second half.
Marrar coach Clint Taylor admitted he didn't see the incident involving Gardner and was careful not to go into too much detail.
"It was over the other side of the ground to where we were so I couldn't really see what happened," Taylor said.
"We probably ran out of legs a bit in the last quarter just because we had those few guys injured."
Taylor expects Turner to overcome his shoulder injury and play this week, while the fitness of Gardner and Nalder remain up in the air.
Marrar managed to ignore the growing injury toll and ran out big winners, beating CSU 25.19 (169) to 0.4 (4).
The Bushpigs had three scoring shots in the opening term but could only manage four behinds for the game.
It was an important win for the Bombers who were under the pump following three consecutive losses.
"It was pretty important we went out there and had a good win," Taylor said.
"We were able to try a few different things, we took the game on and weren't as predictable in our game style."
Shannon Williams and Graeme Reid booted five goals each while ruckman Nathan Smith was solid around the ground and chimed in with two majors of his own.