Sport
20 August, 2024
Momentum building for A reserve finals after strong win
A 14-goal victory to Mary-borough has allowed the Magpies to fine-tune their play before a finals campaign which starts in earnest in two weeks.
The Magpies’ offensive performance was their finest since round one, scoring 51 goals for the afternoon — their second-best return for the season behind the 56 goals they scored in round one.
It was a 51-37 victory which means the Magpies remain in fifth position for now, but can overtake Sandhurst for fourth if they can defeat Strathfieldsaye, while relying on the Dragons to lose to Castlemaine.
The Magpies could also mathematically take third, but would have to defeat the Storm by a big margin, while also similarly relying on Kangaroo Flat to lose by an enormous margin to Gisborne, however, the most likely scenario surrounds an elimination final meeting with either Strathfieldsaye, Kangaroo Flat or Sandhurst.
Quarter-by-quarter scores and goalscorers for the Magpies were not received at the close of production.
Elsewhere, the B graders had a competitive outing, but were outclassed by Eaglehawk, losing 54-26 to remain rooted on the bottom of the ladder, while it was a similar story for the B reserve team, who lost 58-15 to the Hawks.
Maryborough’s 17 and under team maintained their four-game gap to fourth-placed Strathfieldsaye, taking a 48-30 win over Eaglehawk in a strong performance.
The fortunes of the Magpies’ first finals opponent will be sorted this week, with top-placed Golden Square having a bye. Should Sandhurst defeat Castlemaine by any margin, the Magpies will meet the Bulldogs in the qualifying final, while a loss to Sandhurst would mean the Magpies play the Dragons in the first week, with the double chance in tow.