Sport
9 August, 2024
Pumas take comfortable victory
Father-son duo Trev and Nate Chapman combined for eight goals as Maryborough squared the ledger with AFL Victoria Country Masters rival Kerang on Sunday.
The Pumas dominated the first half of the match, ultimately defeating the Rams by 33 points, 12.11 (83) to 7.8 (50) at Princes Park.
It reversed the result of their round five clash which Kerang won by 54 points.
The two clubs agreed prior to play to allow several father-son combinations to take the field for their respective sides, for Maryborough’s final home game of the 2024 season.
“I never thought I’d have the chance to do this,” Maryborough key forward Trev said after the siren sounded.
“You couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.”
The Pumas kicked five of the first six goals of the match, to establish a 25-point lead at half time.
Maryborough coach Terry Hillier said the home team had set itself a task to start strongly after being jumped by Gippsland in the previous game.
“We talk about ‘defending the fortress’ every time we play at home, and you need to set the tone with a good start. We did that a lot better this week,” Hillier said.
“That’s our third win at ‘the fortress’ this season, which is very pleasing.”
Nate and Trev traded goals throughout the match, each finishing with four apiece. Travis Cain kicked a goal on his return from injury, with Brad Fraser, Ivan Reis and Tyson Hoban also hitting the scoreboard for Maryborough.
Young Ram Mitch Wilson, meanwhile, kicked a goal in his first match after a serious motorcycle accident.
Jake Meyer was named Maryborough’s best on ground, with Lauchlan Williams, Nick Weaver, Fraser and Jibb Iglesias also among the Pumas’ better players.
Maryborough’s next match is against Echuca-Moama in Echuca on August 18.