Sport
6 July, 2023
Magpies out to end five-game losing run
Maryborough will be looking to end a run of outs and get back on the winners’ list when they host Eaglehawk tomorrow afternoon. Although it is a match that pits eighth against ninth on the ladder, it is a task that is a bit harder than it looks...
Maryborough will be looking to end a run of outs and get back on the winners’ list when they host Eaglehawk tomorrow afternoon.
Although it is a match that pits eighth against ninth on the ladder, it is a task that is a bit harder than it looks, particularly with Eaglehawk’s improved form in recent weeks, which has seen them win two of their last three games, including an upset three-goal victory over South Bendigo in their last clash before the general bye.
Meantime, Maryborough have now lost five games in a row, and were unable to stop their losing run two weeks ago when they lost by 36 goals to the in-form Castlemaine.
The Magpies were forced into some changes prior to the opening whistle, with Tori Chandler moving to goal attack to complement Keely Hare, while Macy Tatchell made her A grade debut and immediately becoming comfortable in the Magpies’ mid-court rotation.
Unfortunately, it was Castlemaine’s fast start which allowed them to dictate terms for the majority of the afternoon, as they bolted out to a 26-goal lead by half time. While Maryborough were much better in the second half, including a good third quarter where they held Castlemaine to 11 goals, it was not enough to see them take their third win of the season.
In the Magpies’ previous meeting with Eaglehawk in round two, they successfully took their first victory of the season, winning by 17 goals.
Good performances from Finley Wagstaff and Alex Williams in defence saw the Magpies hold the Hawks at bay for a large majority of the game, with the Magpies delivering in the second and last quarters, where they scored 35 goals to 17 in that time frame.
Hare finished with 39 goals on that occasion, while playing-coach Jordan MacIlwain shot 21 goals.
Elsewhere around the club, the B grade and B reserve teams will be looking to get off the mark for season 2023, while it is a crucial game for Maryborough’s 17 and under team, who are holding on to a one-game advantage inside the top five at the moment, with the likes of Castlemaine, Kangaroo Flat and the Hawks all loitering around the mark.