Sport
10 July, 2023
Rovers with an upset to savour over Newstead by 21 points
NEWSTEAD 9.13 (67) def by MARYBOROUGH ROVERS 14.4 (88) It may be their final year as a football club, but what a way Maryborough Rovers are spending it, securing the upset of the season with a 21-point victory at Newstead. In a game that saw a true...
NEWSTEAD 9.13 (67) def by MARYBOROUGH ROVERS 14.4 (88)
It may be their final year as a football club, but what a way Maryborough Rovers are spending it, securing the upset of the season with a 21-point victory at Newstead.
In a game that saw a true test of Rovers’ mettle, they were able to hold their nerve, keeping alive their finals chances in the process.
An even start saw Rovers kick three goals to two to open up a six-point lead at quarter time, but it was the second quarter which saw Rovers throw a sucker punch, kicking six goals to three behinds to incredibly open up the margin to 39 points at the main break.
Playing for what would ultimately become a spot in the top four with Natte Bealiba’s loss to Navarre, the Kangaroos got their act together in the third quarter, kicking five goals to one to reduce the margin to 12 points at the final change.
But it appeared they used up all their petrol tickets in the process of fighting back, and Rovers kicked four goals to two in the final term to seal a remarkable victory.
Their accuracy in front of goal was a key factor, kicking 14 goals from 18 shots, compared to Newstead kicking nine goals from 22 shots.
Five goals from Mitchell Whelan helped secure the win, and he had mates in Jacob Dyer, Marshall Murray, Matthew Llewellyn, Kaylab Eggers and Montgomery Reeves. Tyson Randall also scored four goals.
Newstead drop to sixth, in a costly blow considering a difficult run home which consists of games against Trentham, Harcourt, Talbot, Lexton and Navarre, although they would need to win only one of those to almost certainly sew up a finals spot.
Joel Smith, who kicked two goals, Anthony Robins, Alex Murphy, Bradley Richardson, Angus Mayes and Rhys Smith were their better players.