Sport
18 July, 2024
Crucial game for Magpies
Maryborough’s double chance credentials could arguably come down to tomorrow’s game against fifth-placed Sandhurst. A win for the Magpies will see them maintain their one-game gap to Kangaroo Flat, but more importantly, it would allow the...
Maryborough’s double chance credentials could arguably come down to tomorrow’s game against fifth-placed Sandhurst.
A win for the Magpies will see them maintain their one-game gap to Kangaroo Flat, but more importantly, it would allow the Magpies to move 10 points clear of the Dragons, who do currently have a game in hand, with four games to go.
Repeating the Magpies’ 49-43 victory over the Dragons from their round four game will be top of the agenda, in a game where Maryborough dominated more than the scoreboard suggested.
The Magpies led by as much as 11 goals during the final quarter, before Sandhurst launched a late comeback bid which fell short.
Regardless, it was a first big scalp for what has turned out to be a brilliant season for Maryborough after the tough decision to drop down to the A reserve competition, vindicating themselves with a potential return to the finals.
With the courts at the Queen Elizabeth Oval the location for the finals series, there will be no doubt that Maryborough will treat this game like a dress rehearsal for the big stage in September.
Last week’s game against Gisborne was a setback, with the raging premiership favourites showing no mercy in a 47-goal victory.
The 23 goals the Magpies scored was the lowest of the season, but they will be backing themselves to bounce back this week and show their worth in the finals race.
Maryborough’s B grade and B reserve teams will continue to give their all, even though they have remained winless, and will face tough tests against the Dragons, who are third in B grade and unbeaten on top in B reserve.
In the 17 and under grade, Maryborough will face a big test against the ladder-leading Dragons, who are unbeaten and sitting on a percentage of 242.
The corresponding round four game against the Dragons was one of Maryborough’s two losses for the season, having dropped that game by 48 goals, but will be hoping for a competitive performance this week.
With five games to go, it appears the Magpies are very safe in the top three and will grab the double chance, sitting four games ahead of the chasing pack.
If the Magpies could upset the Dragons, they would lock themselves in with four games to play, yet more importantly, they would still be in the race to claim the minor premiership.