Sport
20 June, 2024
Pumas miss out in high-scoring game against Kerang
A seven-goal haul to Maryborough midfielder Lauchlan Williams was not enough to drag the Pumas across the line against a red-hot Kerang Rams side in their AFL Masters Country Victoria clash at Wandella Recreation Reserve. The Rams went on a rampage...
A seven-goal haul to Maryborough midfielder Lauchlan Williams was not enough to drag the Pumas across the line against a red-hot Kerang Rams side in their AFL Masters Country Victoria clash at Wandella Recreation Reserve.
The Rams went on a rampage in the first half of the match, kicking 11 goals to the visitors’ three before the main break. The Pumas produced a much better second half with nine goals of their own as Kerang won 21.7 (133) to Maryborough’s 12.7 (79) on Sunday.
In an open and fast-flowing game, the home team piled on five goals in the opening term as the visitors missed many early chances to even the contest. By the time the Pumas found their range the margin was already a blowout.
“There wasn’t a lot of accountability in the game. Both teams had plenty of room to move and the Rams didn’t need a quarter and a half to get into a good rhythm whereas we did,” Maryborough Pumas coach Terry Hillier said.
“It was a lot better after that. Once we got used to the oval and improved our ball movement into the forward line, the goals started to come pretty easily in the end.”
Starting as an onballer, Williams hit a purple patch in the third term, sparking something of a revival with three goals in quick succession.
Maryborough’s fortunes were further improved when Leigh Melbourne, who started as a forward, shifted into the ruck.
Another move from the Pumas coaching bench which paid dividends was to move Gav McGrath into attack, the defender kicking his second drop kick super goal for the season.
Williams and club debutant Luke Evans were named the Pumas’ best, with Jackson Fitzpatrick, Chris Gunn and Cal Evans also among Maryborough’s better players.
Maryborough’s next match is at Princes Park against Gippsland on July 21.