Sport
3 August, 2023
Magpies battling best of the best with Sandhurst coming to town
Maryborough won’t be able to rest on their laurels enjoying their first victory in two months for too long, with the immediate challenge being the toughest in the Bendigo Football Netball League — an undefeated Sandhurst. The Magpies, at the...
Maryborough won’t be able to rest on their laurels enjoying their first victory in two months for too long, with the immediate challenge being the toughest in the Bendigo Football Netball League — an undefeated Sandhurst.
The Magpies, at the very least, will be looking to continue their competitive run after the confidence that was gained from taking a win over Golden Square last week.
Their young midcourt did an exceptional job of suffocating the Bulldogs’ movement, and if not for some inaccuracy in front of goal, could have won by far more than nine goals.
Regardless, a win is a win, and it will be relief for Jordan MacIlwain and her charges that they were able to get the job done for the first time in nine attempts.
The Magpies will look to take a leaf out of South Bendigo’s book from last week, having shocked the Dragons by leading into the first break, before Sandhurst showed why they are a league powerhouse by winning comfortably.
They’ll also look to close the gap from the 60-goal win the Dragons enjoyed in round six.
On that occasion, Abbey Nalder, playing her first A grade game of the season, scored 16 of the Magpies’ 27 goals, while Sandhurst ran away with the game in the second half after leading by 21 goals at the main break.
The task will be just as tricky for Maryborough’s other three teams.
After a tight game last week, the B grade team will be looking to keep the unbeaten Dragons honest, as will B reserve, who likewise play against a Sandhurst team who sit on top of the ladder.
The most important game of the day pits fourth-placed Maryborough’s 17 and under team against second-placed Sandhurst, with a Maryborough win going a long way towards securing a berth in the finals.
However, they will have to turn around a 21-goal loss to the Dragons in round six in order to achieve their goals of booking their spot in the finals again.