Sport
16 May, 2024
Magpies out to bounce back
Refreshed off a week’s bye, Maryborough will be hoping to use the opportunity to straighten themselves up wisely tomorrow against South Bendigo at Harry Trott Reserve after a torrid fortnight. Just how the Magpies will look to respond against the...
Refreshed off a week’s bye, Maryborough will be hoping to use the opportunity to straighten themselves up wisely tomorrow against South Bendigo at Harry Trott Reserve after a torrid fortnight.
Just how the Magpies will look to respond against the Bloods will be intriguing in itself.
Unfortunately, the club’s injury and player availability crisis hit its toughest test two weeks ago when the Magpies took on Sandhurst, and the Dragons weren’t willing to take it easy, kicking 11 goals in the first quarter, 17 in the second, and 13 in the remaining two quarters to score a Bendigo Football Netball League (BFNL) record 54.23 (347) to take a 333-point victory — also a record for the league.
That came following a 258-point loss to Gisborne the week before. It is undoubtedly difficult to sugarcoat such a pair of results — it’s simply a reality of where the clubs are at. Sandhurst, being the current — and raging — BFNL premiership favourites were also able to put this week’s opponents to the sword by 137 points last week as the Magpies had the bye.
But co-coaches Matt Johnston and Coby Perry are hoping for a bit of a turnaround this week, with players slowly starting to return to the mix.
While reigning best and fairest winner Joel Swatton will continue to miss against his old side, there are chances that the likes of Seb Collins, Alex Brown and Robert Castiglia could return to the lineup, boosting the Magpies.
Of those that were able to play two weeks ago, it was a tough grind.
Sandhurst were relentless at the contest, collecting 534 disposals, while holding Maryborough to just 198 for the afternoon, while also going direct, with 100 inside 50s to just 16. Perry was a clear standout for the Magpies, and did what he could to ensure he gave his team a chance to retain possession, having 41 disposals, four marks, eight tackles and seven clearances.
However, the only other Magpie to collect above 20 disposals was Mitch McClure, who had 22, while also laying five tackles and four clearances as he did what he could to support Perry.
Tom Myers was another who impressed, and despite Sandhurst largely dominating the clearances, the young big man was able to get his hands on the ball, collecting 38 hitouts.
Meanwhile, Maryborough’s under 18s will have a good chance to end their drought and get back into contention for the top five against South Bendigo.
While the Magpies have not had a win yet, they have been far from disgraced, and competed well in their 93-point loss to undefeated Sandhurst two weeks ago.
The likes of co-captains Cooper Mark and Tyson Hoban have taken their games to another level early in the season, while Castiglia and Jack Skinner also impressed two weeks ago.
Following this game, Maryborough will have another week off, giving them more of a chance to recoup and regenerate with much-needed depth.