Sport
7 August, 2026
Murray Crays sink plucky Pumas
Maryborough’s first AFL Masters encounter with the Murray Crays ended in defeat against the Albury-Wodonga based team.
The Pumas, who travelled across the state for their first visit to Wodonga’s Martin Park, were jumped by the home team and were unable to reel in the Crays under lights on Saturday night.
However, a spirited final quarter fightback by the visitors reduced the margin to within a handful of goals before Murray steadied to triumph by 33 points, 11.10.(76) to 6.7.(43).
Maryborough coach Lauchlan Williams said his side’s slow start meant the Pumas were playing catch-up throughout the match.
“The Crays kicked the first few goals of the game and that set them up,” he explained.
“Every time we kicked a couple of goals in a row, they were able to respond.
“In the end they had a couple of really fit guys who continued to run all game, and they were able finish stronger while we ran out of legs.”
Maryborough more than matched the home team in the middle of the ground, with Brad Martland dominating in the ruck, and Williams, Paul Cicchini and Jibb Iglesias giving the Pumas forwards plenty of opportunities to score.
The Crays struck back on the counterattack, scoring easy goals with slick ball movement.
Iglesias and Williams were both among the goal scorers for the visitors, with Martland, Williams, Cicchini, Iglesias and Euan Tait among Maryborough’s better players.
Maryborough is now tasked with taking on Sunbury on August 16.
AFL Masters football is usually played once a fortnight with training at 6 pm on Wednesday evenings at Princes Park.