Sport
24 August, 2023
End of the road in 2023 for Magpies seniors
A tough ride for Maryborough’s 2023 season comes to an end this week when they play Gisborne. In reality, it’s been a rough run for both the Magpies and this week’s opponents, who, after winning the 2022 premiership, will find themselves in...
A tough ride for Maryborough’s 2023 season comes to an end this week when they play Gisborne.
In reality, it’s been a rough run for both the Magpies and this week’s opponents, who, after winning the 2022 premiership, will find themselves in seventh position on the ladder, having been affected by injury throughout their campaign.
Regardless of it being a game where there is realistically little to play for for both teams, there is still the caveat of Maryborough looking to put in a positive performance ahead of a pivotal 2024 season.
There are two ways the general public might look at the Magpies’ season.
On one hand, the Magpies could be seen as having a more difficult season, currently sitting on a percentage that is lower than last year.
But on another hand, the Magpies have sat in front in four games during the last quarter, up on zero in 2022, all this despite the loss of the likes of Aidan Hare, Liam Latch, Tom Gardam and coach Rick Andrews in-between seasons.
While last week was one of the toughest yet against Strathfieldsaye, losing by 218 points and conceding 66 scoring shots, player unavailability cruelled any chance of the Magpies having a competitive effort, and will be hoping to rectify that against the Bulldogs this week.
Matt Johnston did what he could to lead from the front at the coalface, collecting 38 disposals and 13 clearances, while his partner in crime, Coby Perry, had 27 disposals.
Brady Neill was adjudged the Magpies’ best on the weekend, collecting 25 disposals and 10 rebound 50s.
The Magpies have been competitive in the clearances in recent weeks, and were again prepared for the challenge of Strathfieldsaye, with the Storm winning that count by just seven. But converting those clearances into inside 50s continues to plague the team, having just 19 inside 50s compared to 87 from the Storm to show for it.
The challenge now is to turn around a 204-point defeat to the Bulldogs from round nine.
Elsewhere, Maryborough’s reserves will also be looking to finish their season on a high.
It’s been an improved season from the Magpies, taking two wins, compared to one in 2022.
Maryborough’s under 18s are basically cemented in the finals, although they are still technically a chance to be knocked out — it would require a disastrous loss from the Magpies and big wins for Strathfieldsaye against Kyneton and sixth-placed Kangaroo Flat beating top-placed Golden Square by an enormous margin to miss the finals.
Regardless, the focus for the Magpies this week will be ensuring they can regain their best form before a likely meeting with the Storm, having lost by 10 points last week.
The Magpies fell by just two goals in their last meeting with Gisborne, and will be hoping to turn it around on their home deck this time.