Sport
11 September, 2023
Brave finals fight ends for Maryborough under 18s and 16s, under 14s progress to decider
Maryborough’s brave fight in the under 18s competition has come to an end after losing to Sandhurst by 49 points in the first semi-final on Sunday. The Magpies were able to come out with some strong intent as they took the game right up to...
Maryborough’s brave fight in the under 18s competition has come to an end after losing to Sandhurst by 49 points in the first semi-final on Sunday. The Magpies were able to come out with some strong intent as they took the game right up to Sandhurst in the early stages, with Liam Freeman, Kaian Constable and Taj Bond able to hit the scoreboard early on as they took a six-point lead into the first change.
However, it would be all Sandhurst in the second quarter, as they started to command play and bossed territory, particularly on the outside as they were able to launch many attacking thrusts from the wings.
The end result was five goals to no score, and Sandhurst took a 25-point lead into the main break.
Bond was able to get Maryborough back on to the scoreboard in the third term by kicking a goal from a free kick, but that would be as close as the Magpies got for the remainder of the afternoon as Sandhurst continued to dominate, while the Magpies missed gettable shots in front of goal.
The three-quarter-time margin was 35 points, and the Magpies were just unable to contain Sandhurst’s midfield power as they continued to dictate terms.
Another two goals in the final quarter meant that the margin blew out to 49 points by the end.
With Maryborough’s defence under siege in the last three quarters, it was no surprise that defenders featured prominently in their best players, with Joe Lovel and Jake Gavriliadis giving everything to the cause. Damon Nitschke, Tom Myers, Lucas Hurse and Tyson Hoban did everything they could to try and give the Maryborough midfield first use of the ball.
Elsewhere, it was a mixed day for Maryborough’s juniors.
The under 14s are through to a grand final, taking a strong 37-point win over White Hills, which was set up by a five-goal to one burst in the middle two quarters.
Competition best and fairest winner Oliver Cassidy and Dechlan Bridges were instrumental, while Jack Smith kicked three goals. Chase Larkin, Aidan Davis and Charlie Bartlett were also among the best.
In the under 16s, the Magpies went down to Golden Square by 39 points, ending their run at a premiership in the senior competition. Campbell Wood, competition best and fairest Zac Cicchini, Nash Fraser, Cale Wright, Archie Chadwick and Will Soulsby were all named in the best.