Sport
27 May, 2025
Giants stomp Kangaroos by 46 goals
The Maryborough Giants will enter next week’s bye full of confidence after dispatching Newstead with a 46-goal victory.
The Giants made two changes ahead of their round seven match, with Ella Hocking and Alisha Hovey returning from a week off for Annalyse Carrol and Macey Parry.
The Steaders also welcomed two players for this clash, with B grade standouts Laura Johnston and Brooke McLarty providing depth to the visitor’s bench.
The Giants made the most of home-court advantage, settling into an offensive groove quickly to lead by 13 goals after the first quarter.
With Carrol absent, the versatile Ruby Saunder stepped in to play goal attack and immediately connected with Lacey Broad, with the pair combining for 21 goals with just one miss each.
The Steaders also had only two misses, with Brianna Jury leading the way with five goals and Tayla Gale immaculate from her three attempts.
The second quarter followed a similar path to the opening term, with the Giants asserting their control in the midcourt to widen their advantage to 26 goals at half time.
Saunder and Broad continued to be a successful pairing, with Saunder pushing high into the midcourt, allowing more space for Broad to command the goal circle.
Broad grabbed virtually every lobbed pass thrown her way to score 19 in the second quarter while Saunder chipped in with four.
Jury and Gale continued to fight for the Steaders, with the former making six and the latter converting four.
With their backs against the wall, the Steaders brought the fight to the Giants to start the second half, as their midcourt started to find more openings for Gale, who scored seven and Jury who made five.
However, the hosts went on a strong run at the end of the third term to lead by 31 at the final break.
Chelsey Williams and Tahni Clark made some good intercepts in the third for the visitors, slowing Broad to 13 goals for the quarter while Saunder netted four.
The Giants’ defence, anchored by Julie Anderson and Riahni Egan, was superb in the fourth quarter, leading the hosts to a 22-7 final term to seal the victory in style.
Another bag of 19 for Broad brought her game total to 68, with Saunder scoring the other three.
Even under the pressure of Anderson and Egan, Emily Cooper played well when moved into goal attack for the final quarter, scoring five goals while Jury added two.