Sport
8 August, 2022
Disappointing defeat for Magpies
It was a difficult day for Maryborough as they were out-muscled by top side Sandhurst to the tune of 38 goals. The Magpies gave it their all, but were ultimately overpowered by the Dragons from quarter time onwards as their class proved to be too...

It was a difficult day for Maryborough as they were out-muscled by top side Sandhurst to the tune of 38 goals.
The Magpies gave it their all, but were ultimately overpowered by the Dragons from quarter time onwards as their class proved to be too strong, scoring 82 goals.
A competitive first quarter saw the Magpies keep in touch by quarter time, scoring 15 goals while the Dragons scored 19 of their own. Keely Hare was instrumental early on, scoring 11 goals, which would prove to be her most productive quarter of the day.
The Dragons started to show why they are the top team in the Bendigo Football Netball League with a strong second quarter, scoring 19 goals to nine to open up a 14-goal lead at the main break.
Sandhurst would increase their lead by another 10 goals during the third quarter, scoring 21 goals to 11 during the period to extend their lead to 24 goals by the final change.
Maryborough would give their all in an attempt to match their 22-goal loss to the Dragons earlier in the season, but it was to no avail, as they controlled the balance of the final quarter to generate multiple opportunities, having their best quarter of the afternoon by scoring 24 goals, while restricting the Magpies to 10 goals from just 11 attempts.
However, all things considered, it was pleasing for the Magpies to score 44 goals. They chose to play three under 17s players for the afternoon, giving them a great look into the intensity needed for senior netball against the best team in the competition.
Hare, with her 37 goals, was adjudged best by coach Alicia Cassidy, while she was also impressed by Chrissy Hooper and Jordan MacIlwain, whose passing to Hare was a feature of her game. Eliza Roughead’s versatility in both the defensive and mid-court was also a feature of the game for the Magpies.
Maryborough will now host South Bendigo in their final home match of the season looking to inflict their first top five scalp of the season, as they look to keep the pressure on Kyneton in sixth ahead of their last round matchup.