Sport
24 August, 2023
Final game for Pies this week, but hopes abound for rebound in 2024
The end of the season is approaching for Maryborough’s A grade netball team, and while it’s seen them drop from seventh to ninth in 2023, there’s reason to be optimistic about the future. The Magpies have consistently fielded one of the...
The end of the season is approaching for Maryborough’s A grade netball team, and while it’s seen them drop from seventh to ninth in 2023, there’s reason to be optimistic about the future.
The Magpies have consistently fielded one of the youngest teams in the competition throughout the season, with a host of graduates from last season’s 17 and under team making waves in the A grade lineup, including the likes of Tali Chadwick, Abbey Nalder and Finley Wagstaff featuring in regular games.
While that has seen the Magpies drop off in some regard in terms of their competitiveness compared to last season, it is a small step towards long-term sustainability in the A grade lineup.
Their last assignment is another tough one, against Gisborne, albeit one that appears on the surface to be a little vulnerable.
The Bulldogs lost their last game to South Bendigo last week, and coupled with Maryborough’s competitive performance against the Bloods in the first half in particular, a four-quarter effort could see the Magpies keep the second-placed Dogs honest for large patches.
However, they will also need to improve greatly on their last-start loss to Strathfieldsaye, who defeated the Magpies by 41 goals last week.
Either way, there are some positive movements ahead of 2024, with another influx of talented youngsters set to make their mark on higher grades.
In particular, it looks set to come from another good batch of 17 and under players, who will again feature in the finals series.
They will face a Gisborne team who have lost two of their last three matches, with a win locking them into fourth place on the ladder and a matchup with Strathfieldsaye in week one of the finals.
Elsewhere, Maryborough’s B grade team and B reserve teams will be hoping for their first victory of the season to avoid a winless campaign, but will be facing a tough task, with Gisborne sitting in second position in B grade and third in B reserve.