Sport
3 August, 2023
Maryborough look to shake Dragons
Maryborough face a second tricky task in as many weeks in their quest for competitive showings, hosting top team Sandhurst tomorrow. The Magpies had a much better outing in last week’s game against Golden Square than their previous meeting in...
Maryborough face a second tricky task in as many weeks in their quest for competitive showings, hosting top team Sandhurst tomorrow.
The Magpies had a much better outing in last week’s game against Golden Square than their previous meeting in round five, when they were defeated by 239 points.
While the margin remained significant, losing by 193 points in the end, there were still some positives at least to take out of the game.
Maryborough recorded 16 scoring shots for the game — a vast improvement on the four they recorded in that round five game. And that came from 34 inside 50s as well.
In the coalface, the Magpies more than matched the Bulldogs in terms of getting first hands on the ball, winning the clearance battle 46-42.
The Magpies will be hoping to translate some of those positives against the league leaders now, having gone goalless in their last meeting with the Dragons in round six.
On the weekend, there were some lively performances.
Matt Johnston collected 30 disposals, while also garnering 11 clearances and eight inside 50s, while Joel Swatton played a good two-way game, with 27 disposals, nine clearances and nine tackles. Brady Neill and Coby Perry also played well, collecting 24 and 23 disposals respectively.
The challenge of keeping the Dragons honest is a big one.
Sandhurst are currently the best defensive team in the competition, having conceded almost 100 points less than next-best Eaglehawk, but are also only the fifth-best team offensively, scoring at a clip under 100 points per game.
However, that included a 209-point haul against the Magpies.
In that game, Kya Lanfranchi was again manful in defence, while James Macer had his best game so far this season. Swatton, Chris Freeman, Jake Postle and Josh Britten were also named in the best.
Just three Magpies were able to collect more than 20 disposals that day, but in recent weeks, they’ve been able to welcome back some much-needed support, particularly across the midfield, with the inclusions of the likes of Perry, Mitch McClure and Kaian Constable.
Elsewhere, Maryborough’s reserves will be looking for another good effort after losing by 146 points to second-placed Golden Square last week, while the under 18s will face a big game against the third-placed Dragons. A win will secure their spot in the top five with three games to go.