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Sport

28 August, 2023

Emotional win for Rovers keeps their dream alive in final season

Maryborough Rovers will continue to represent the court for another week, taking an emotional four-goal victory in their elimination final against Dunolly at Newstead. With so much on the line for Rovers, given their pending amalgamation with Royal...

By Michael Thompson

It was an emotional victory for Maryborough Rovers on Sunday afternoon against Dunolly at Newstead, with Ebony Cain leading the charge. The win means Rovers keep their season, and their tenure as a club, alive for another week. Photo: 290823 21
It was an emotional victory for Maryborough Rovers on Sunday afternoon against Dunolly at Newstead, with Ebony Cain leading the charge. The win means Rovers keep their season, and their tenure as a club, alive for another week. Photo: 290823 21

Maryborough Rovers will continue to represent the court for another week, taking an emotional four-goal victory in their elimination final against Dunolly at Newstead.

With so much on the line for Rovers, given their pending amalgamation with Royal Park in 2024, they were determined to seal a famous victory, albeit not without some very nervous moments towards the end.

Rovers made a bright start, scoring 12 goals from 18 opportunities and enjoying the better of the play. Dunolly, in the meantime, generated just nine goals from 13 shots, meaning they sat three goals down at the first change.

Some quick changes were made by Dunolly, with Mel Schodde coming on to take over at centre during the second term, while Serena Lafranchi was out. Matisse Nelson also moved to goal attack in place of Zoe Aldridge, with Jess Donaldson moving to wing attack.

However, the Eagles were unable to make the most of their opportunities. They had more shots in the second term than Rovers, but could only muster 10 goals from 20 chances. In the meantime,

Rovers were able to generate 15 goals from their 19 shots.

Sitting eight goals up, Rovers were determined not to blow their chances, and were able to hold station in the third term, scoring 12 goals to 11 to increase their lead.

In the final term, Rovers had a nervy finish, only generating 11 scoring chances, converting eight, while Dunolly had the run of the play, scoring 13 goals from 19 shots.

However, it wasn’t enough, and Rovers now progress to a semi-final date with Natte Bealiba.

Tegan Maddern finished with 31 goals, while Abbey Raven added 16 goals, while for Dunolly, Samantha Cheetham scored 26 goals and Aldridge added 13.

For Raven, she ranks this as one of her most emotional and satisfying victories in her time at Rovers.

“I think this is one of the most satisfying wins I’ve had, knowing it’s coming towards the end of our time as a club,” she said.

“We really set ourselves up from the beginning, and everyone played excellently.”

Raven said being able to adjust to the Eagles’ strategies after losing by 11 goals in their last meeting, as well as regaining key players, was crucial to their victory.

“Last time we played them, we had a handful of players out, but we also played too fast, going into the midcourt. We adjusted to the way they played last time and how to stop it, and we were able to play our game,” she said.

Raven admitted many players had nerves towards the end.

“I think there were some nerves when they were coming back, and I’m proud that they held on. It did get a bit chaotic, but everyone played their roles and we kept ticking over the goals,” she said.

The reward now is a Natte Bealiba team that is smarting from their loss to Avoca.

“We haven’t played Natte with a full team yet, in the two meetings this year, we had someone out,” Raven said.

“We think we’ll have a full team in next week, but if we can play our game and not focus on them too much, we can compete. We will back our talls in and use that height to advantage, and play positively.”

Raven said there would still be plenty of emotion given there’s no tomorrows for Rovers.

“We know it might be our last game, so everyone is going to give it everything for the club,” she said.

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