Sport
27 April, 2023
Masters back out on field for 2023
Maryborough finished its first AFL Masters Vic Country match for 2023 with its nose in front after play ended prematurely on Saturday night at Princes Park. The Pumas led 7.10 (52) to the Samaria Suns 5.6 (36) when an injury to a Maryborough player...
Maryborough finished its first AFL Masters Vic Country match for 2023 with its nose in front after play ended prematurely on Saturday night at Princes Park.
The Pumas led 7.10 (52) to the Samaria Suns 5.6 (36) when an injury to a Maryborough player halted play midway through the third quarter.
Delays in the arrival of an ambulance saw the match called with a quarter to play.
Maryborough defender and club president Travis Cain said the Pumas’ best preseason had translated into a strong round one performance.
“We’ve had great numbers at training, plenty of enthusiasm, and it just shows,” he said.
“We had nearly half a dozen players wear the jumper for the first time. It’s a good feeling.”
Several Maryborough players volunteered to don the colours of the visitors, who travelled from Benalla without a full team.
The Sunsfirst goal was scored by Maryborough player Gerard Dwyer.
Over the course of the match the Pumas gradually took the ascendency with goals to Chris Cudia, Nick Weaver, Trevor Chapman, Jibb Iglesias, Brad Fraser and Patrick Jenes (two goals).
Brett Forti, Cudia, Weaver, David Clark and Jenes were among Maryborough’s better players in what was an even performance.
Jason Rogers suffered a serious ankle injury during what appeared an innocuous tackle midway through the third quarter.
“Our thoughts are with ‘Falcon’ right now. We’re wishing him the speediest possible recovery,” Cain said.
“It was his first game with the club and he was playing very well. It’s just horrible bad luck.
“Prior to that it had been a very good game, played in excellent spirit, between two fairly even sides. We hope to see Jason back very soon.”
The Pumas next head to Ballarat on May 7 to take on the Ballarat Diggers at Russell Square.