Sport
24 June, 2024
Castlemaine barrage too strong for Pies
It was another tough day for Maryborough, this time going down by 147 points to Castlemaine at Barkers Oval Princes Park. The Magpies were powerless to stop a second-quarter barrage from Castlemaine as they completely controlled the pace of play...
It was another tough day for Maryborough, this time going down by 147 points to Castlemaine at Barkers Oval Princes Park.
The Magpies were powerless to stop a second-quarter barrage from Castlemaine as they completely controlled the pace of play, scoring 13 goals to three behinds to make it a 99-point game at the main break.
However, there was some semblance of competitive play from the Magpies at times, particularly in the second half.
Debuts were handed out to Logan Howell and Cooper Mark, with the two bright young talents rewarded for strong under 18s form. However, the Magpies also required the assistance of Castlemaine reserves players to complete their team.
Castlemaine started strongly, kicking the first four goals of the game to lead by 27 points, but coach Matt Johnston, who suited up for the Magpies, was able to put through a classy goal to finish off the first term to reduce the margin to 21 points at the first change.
However, the second quarter was all Castlemaine, as they dominated. In particular, playing-coach Michael Hartley was proving hard to stop, using all his ex-AFL experience to slot nine goals for the afternoon, with Castlemaine’s 13 goals for the quarter ensuring they would increase the lead to 99 points by the main break.
However, the Magpies fought very hard in the third term, and held Castlemaine to just three goals for the term.
Johnston added his second goal from a snap early in the term, and he would soon add his third after being collected in a marking contest in the goal square, which meant that the Magpies would trail by 111 points at the last change.
Castlemaine charged away again in the last term, kicking six goals, but were also somewhat inaccurate, scoring 6.7 for the term, while Maryborough did add another goal through Jordan Cochrane, who snapped through a goal from the boundary line.
The key Magpie trio of Alex Brown, Coby Perry and Kya Lanfranchi again stood out, while the returning Joel Swatton hit the ground running to be named in the best. Seb Collins and Beau Trahar were also named in the best.
There was no luck for Maryborough’s under 18s, with Castlemaine proving far too strong, winning by 84 points.
Castlemaine shot out to a 34-point half time lead and didn’t let up, dominating throughout the game as they held Maryborough to just two goals for the day.
Mark, Campbell Wood, Joshua Tull, Joe Lovel, James Woods and Diesel Palmer were all named in the best for the afternoon.