Advertisment

Sport

8 August, 2022

Maryborough start strong despite eventual loss

Despite leading at quarter time, it was a difficult day for Maryborough as Sandhurst overpowered the Magpies throughout the final three quarters to eventually run out 104-point winners at Queen Elizabeth Oval on Saturday afternoon. Twenty goals to...

By Michael Thompson

Maryborough start strong despite eventual loss - feature photo

Despite leading at quarter time, it was a difficult day for Maryborough as Sandhurst overpowered the Magpies throughout the final three quarters to eventually run out 104-point winners at Queen Elizabeth Oval on Saturday afternoon.

Twenty goals to four from the second quarter onwards meant that the Magpies were unable to build upon their strong start, which could have been even better had they converted chances in front of goal.

On a heavy Queen Elizabeth Oval, the Magpies were able to get the better of the play early on, having six shots at goal to three, but were only able to finish with one goal, that coming from captain Coby Perry, who pounced on a defensive turnover, broke a couple of would-be tacklers, then finished strongly from 45 meters to open their account.

With a three-point lead at quarter time, the Magpies would have fancied their chances, however, Sandhurst was able to quickly quell any thoughts of an upset, scoring seven goals while rendering the Magpies scoreless throughout the entirety of the second quarter to lead by 45 points at the long break.

Desperately needing a response, it was not to be for the Magpies, who conceded the first three goals of the third quarter to completely snuff out any chance of a challenge. Chris Freeman would at least provide the Magpies a chance to get on the scoreboard by taking a strong contested mark and converting, while a free kick would be converted by Brady Neill to give them their third goal. However, six more goals from the Dragons meant the margin stook at 70 points at the final change.

The last quarter was much the same as the third — while the Magpies would again hit the scoreboard, they could not stop the Dragons from piling on seven goals to eventually win by triple figures. Kia Coatsworth provided a highlight for the afternoon when his opportunist kick out of a stoppage bounced at right angles to score a very unlikely goal, while some strong work inside 50 from Chris Freeman allowed Maryborough to finish off some strong transition play with his second goal of the afternoon, finishing as the Magpies only multiple goalscorer.

While the Magpies will have been disappointed to let such a golden opportunity to give Sandhurst trouble slip after quarter time, the team will be looking to emulate their first quarter effort with more regularity to finish off the season.

Liam Latch, Aidan Hare, Jake Postle, Freeman, Lachie Mackie and Mitchell McClure were the Magpies strongest performers for the afternoon.

The Magpies will now play their final home game of the season next week as they host South Bendigo this upcoming Saturday.

Advertisment

Most Popular