Sport
7 July, 2022
Maryborough look to take challenge to Square
Maryborough return from a week off with the challenge of playing third-placed Golden Square this weekend at Princes Park, providing the Magpies a chance to put some much-improved form to the test against quality opposition. However, the Magpies were...
Maryborough return from a week off with the challenge of playing third-placed Golden Square this weekend at Princes Park, providing the Magpies a chance to put some much-improved form to the test against quality opposition.
However, the Magpies were still left to ponder missed opportunities to secure their first win of the season over the last two games prior to the season bye, having lost firstly to Kangaroo Flat by 16 points, before going down to Castlemaine by 34 points.
Perhaps positively for the Magpies, they have at least been able to reduce their losing margin to both sides compared to their first outing against both clubs — they went down to the Kangaroos by 71 points in round one, and Castlemaine by 50 points in round two, and will be looking to similarly be a more competitive outfit this week against Square.
For their part, the Bulldogs come into this game having had a good month of football, having toppled second-placed Strathfieldsaye by 58 points, South Bendigo by 93 points and Kangaroo Flat by 116 points.
Last time the Magpies played the Bulldogs, it was a tough afternoon as they were held scoreless in the first half, before 11 final quarter goals from Square consigned the Magpies to a 218-point loss.
On that day, Coby Perry, Kya Lanfranchi, Aidan Hare, Thomas Gardam, Jayden Hooper and Chris Freeman were their best performers.
In that time frame though, others have started to step up admirably. Liam Latch is one such example. While stats weren’t completely covered throughout the entire game against Castlemaine, Latch was able to rack up 41 disposals, eight clearances and nine inside 50s in a fantastic individual performance.
The Magpies have also had more contributors in front of goal in recent weeks, with Kaian Constable scoring three goals against Castlemaine, with Patrick Van der pol scoring two, while Jake Postle was able to hit the scoreboard against Kangaroo Flat, kicking three goals.
Overall, since their 208-point loss to Strathfieldsaye in round six, the effort from the Magpies cannot be questioned, with a reasonably competitive month of football lifting spirits at the club.
Another competitive effort against one of the Bendigo league’s highest flyers will continue to give the Magpies a good launching pad into further improvement throughout the closing stages of the 2022 season.