Sport
20 July, 2023
Magpies aiming to take lessons from close loss into Kyneton clash
All things considered last Saturday, it was a mighty effort for Maryborough to come within 15 points of Kangaroo Flat. Now the challenge is to take the game right up to Kyneton tomorrow at Barker Oval Princes Park. The Tigers are currently riding...
All things considered last Saturday, it was a mighty effort for Maryborough to come within 15 points of Kangaroo Flat. Now the challenge is to take the game right up to Kyneton tomorrow at Barker Oval Princes Park.
The Tigers are currently riding a four-game losing streak, having lost twice by over 100 points, another by 96 points and one more by 51 points. Maryborough, therefore, will be inclined to think their best football can allow them to compete.
Last week’s performance from the Magpies came despite losing Ty Stewart to injury a mere five minutes before the game, then losing James Macer two minutes in to another injury, leaving the Magpies with just two available interchange players to pick from.
Nevertheless, playing coach Coby Perry’s men stood up.
Kya Lanfranchi played a mighty game for the club, taking 13 intercept marks and collecting 25 disposals as a result, in one of the better performances seen in the club’s recent history.
Jake Lohmann relished the contest, collecting 37 disposals — of which 27 were contested, as well as taking 16 marks, laying nine tackles and kicking a goal.
The pressure from Joel Swatton and Lucas Hurse was also first class, with Swatton laying 17 tackles, and Hurse eight, to go along with 22 and 23 disposals respectively. Then there was Perry himself, who had 27 disposals as he continues to return to full fitness.
Maryborough will field a much stronger team than the one that took to the field against the Tigers in round four.
On that occasion, Kyneton were winners by 156 points, utilising a 10-goal last quarter to dominate affairs.
But since then, the likes of Mitch McClure, Perry, Taj Bond — who kicked four goals last week, as well as impressive young ruckman Tom Myers, have all come into the team.
The Magpies will also be boosted by the return of Brady Neill this week, who returns after missing the Kangaroo Flat game with concussion.
Around the club, Maryborough reserves will be looking to put in more of a representative performance than their last meeting against the Tigers, with a weakened team losing by 247 points earlier in the season.
The under 18s will also be looking to repeat their 41-point triumph from round four, a game which saw Bond and Robbie Muscat combine for 10 of the Magpies’ 14 goals.
Victory will likely see the Magpies four games ahead of sixth-placed Kangaroo Flat and the seventh-placed Tigers with five games to go.