Sport
27 April, 2023
Magpies looking for second consecutive victory against Flat
After taking their first win of the season last week, the focus for Maryborough now shifts to last year’s grand finalists in Kangaroo Flat. The Kangaroos are one of the tougher assignments in A grade netball in Bendigo, given their ability to...
After taking their first win of the season last week, the focus for Maryborough now shifts to last year’s grand finalists in Kangaroo Flat.
The Kangaroos are one of the tougher assignments in A grade netball in Bendigo, given their ability to score quickly, and will be up for the challenge, having had to negotiate two finalists in reigning premier Sandhurst and South Bendigo in their first two games, splitting the two encounters.
However, an improved Magpies outfit should rightly feel they can compete with the Kangaroos throughout, given the scope of their improvement so far this season.
Victory in round two against Eaglehawk by 17 goals represented a leap from their last encounter, a win by just one goal, and the team are playing with great energy at the moment.
Central to that has been the midcourt performance of the likes of Tori Chandler and Tali Chadwick, while they’ve also been able to withstand the loss of Amanda Durbridge through injury, with Dunolly playing-coach Ash Lierich stepping in for a game last week.
Offensively, the Magpies have been spectacular in the early stages, and currently rank third in the competition for goals. Both Keely Hare and playing-coach Jordan MacIlwain have been aggressive inside the goal circle, and are currently getting rewarded for it, with Hare scoring 68 goals from her first two games, while MacIlwain has added 29.
The new defensive pairing of Finley Wagstaff and Alex Williams has made an impressive start, conceding 47 against finalists Castlemaine last season, while they only conceded 43 against Eaglehawk. It’s a big tick for the club — having conceded 50 goals or fewer on just five occasions last season.
The Magpies lost their two meetings with the Kangaroos in 2022, losing 66-28 in round one, before Flat won 75-39 at Princes Park in round 10.
In other games for the club, Maryborough’s B grade and B reserve teams will be looking for their first wins for 2023, while the 17 and under team will be looking to maintain its 3-0 start as they look to avenge Flat, who eliminated the Magpies in the first semi-final last season.