Sport
18 July, 2024
Maryborough takes to the QEO
Maryborough’s footballers will make their sole trip to the home of Bendigo football tomorrow to take on Sandhurst. It’s no doubt a big ask for the club to improve upon what was the biggest loss in Bendigo Football Netball League (BFNL) history...
Maryborough’s footballers will make their sole trip to the home of Bendigo football tomorrow to take on Sandhurst.
It’s no doubt a big ask for the club to improve upon what was the biggest loss in Bendigo Football Netball League (BFNL) history in their last meeting, but on the evidence of last week’s clash against Gisborne, there is scope to do that.
In that round four game, a dominant Dragons outfit showed no mercy on Maryborough, breaking all sorts of records as they took a 333-point victory, kicking a new BFNL-record score of 54.23 (347) in the process.
With that said, Maryborough are enjoying a solid two-week patch of keeping their opponents honest.
It took a half for Kangaroo Flat to break away from the Magpies three weeks ago, while last week, Gisborne were also kept honest for a lengthy period of time, particularly in the second quarter, where the Bulldogs were held to two goals.
The challenge now will be up to the Magpies to stop the Dragons’ ball movement on the wide expanses of Queen Elizabeth Oval.
Up forward, Matt Johnston and Kaian Constable starred for the Magpies, with Johnston continuing a run of good form which has seen him kick 10 goals in three games, while Constable made a welcome return to the team and was crafty in setting up multiple attacks.
Again, it was Coby Perry who starred with ball in hand.
Perry continued what’s been an incredible season, collecting 38 disposals, six clearances and four tackles as he continued to fight hard for the Magpies.
Alongside him, Alex Brown collected 23 disposals and laid eight tackles, while Joel Swatton had 20 disposals and seven clearances.
The Magpies did a great job in reducing the threat of Gisborne’s scoring power from their last meeting, in a game which had seen them score 43 goals.
This time around, the Magpies were a lot more competitive in the clearance scenario, losing that count 54-35, and while Maryborough lost the disposal count 463-242, at least showed fight without the ball, laying 66 tackles.
Twenty-six inside 50s was also the club’s best return since round six.
The game will be one of two for the Magpies on Saturday, with the under 18s playing at 12.30.
The Magpies had a difficult task last week against the Bulldogs, and had to deal with their second loss in excess of 100 points against Gisborne for the season, losing by 133 points.
Cooper Mark and Jack Skinner continued their good form, while William Soulsby, Mitch Stork, Tyson Hoban and Bailey Walhouse completed the best players.
Last time out against Sandhurst, the Magpies were unable to stop the Dragons winning by 93 points, and will be hoping to keep things a little closer this time around.