Sport
26 July, 2024
Pumas back onto winners list
Maryborough hit back hard after a sluggish start on Sunday to secure its second victory of the 2024 AFL Victoria Country Masters season.
Maryborough hit back hard after a sluggish start on Sunday to secure its second victory of the 2024 AFL Victoria Country Masters season.
Giving up the first three goals of the match in quick time, the Pumas responded with 10 of the next 12 on the way to an 11.10 (76) to 6.4 (40) win against Gippsland.
The Tigers’ hot opening stung the home team into action, the Pumas restoring their positive record at Princes Park on the back of the result.
“It didn’t look too good in the first 10 minutes,” Maryborough coach Terry Hillier admitted.
“After that our midfield was excellent. It really helps when you get first use of the ball.
“We’re all about being strong at home. It’s something we talked about before the game and at quarter time, and it was great to prevail at ‘the fortress’.”
Pumas’ debutant Jack Schafer dominated in the ruck from the opening bounce, even as the Tigers took advantage initially of his tap work.
As Schafer’s connection with midfielders Nick Weaver, Chris Gunn and Lauchlan Williams improved, however, so did Maryborough’s opportunities in the forward 50.
Trev Chapman kicked two goals as the home team shared the spoils among seven different players. Gippslander Peter Falls, filling in for Maryborough, sealed the match with the final goal.
Chris Gunn was awarded the Pumas’ best, with Williams, Weaver, Jibb Iglesias, Brett Forti and Shafer also among the home team’s main contributors.
Maryborough’s next match is at Princes Park against Kerang on August 4.