Sport
17 August, 2023
Pumas suffer 54-point loss to efficient Echuca-Moama
An ultra-efficient Echuca-Moama side has eased past Maryborough in their AFL Masters Country Victoria football clash on Saturday evening. The skilful Emus made the most of their opportunities in attack to record an 11.8 (74) to 3.2 (20) victory over...
An ultra-efficient Echuca-Moama side has eased past Maryborough in their AFL Masters Country Victoria football clash on Saturday evening.
The skilful Emus made the most of their opportunities in attack to record an 11.8 (74) to 3.2 (20) victory over the Pumas at the Echuca South Recreation Reserve.
However, the Pumas performed strongly late in proceedings, the effort leaving several veteran players feeling worse for wear.
Maryborough travelled to the border with a strong squad and high expectations but struggled to crack the home team’s solid defensive structure.
Maryborough coach Terry Hillier said the final margin was not indicative of the contest or effort.
“I don’t think the scoreboard reflected the general play,” he said.
“The game felt a lot closer than that.
“We actually played pretty well against a strong opponent. We just couldn’t get it on the scoreboard while they got a few easy goals.”
Reflecting a tough evening for Maryborough’s forwards, midfielder Chris Cudia kicked two goals for the visitors, with Trev Chapman finishing with one.
Dean Morrison was named the Pumas’ best, with speedster Scott Newell, Tim Lillis, Ivan Dos Reis and Jackson Fitzpatrick also among Maryborough’s better players.
The Pumas will next play against the Gisborne Bulldogs on August 28 in a Masters double header that will also see Moorabool Valley match up against a second Gisborne side in Meredith.