Sport
25 April, 2024
Short-handed Pumas go down to South Coast
An undermanned Maryborough Pumas team dropped its opening AFL Vic Country Masters football match of the 2024 season to new club South Coast Sharks on Sunday. The Pumas started brightly but were eventually overwhelmed by the Sharks, who won 16.8...
An undermanned Maryborough Pumas team dropped its opening AFL Vic Country Masters football match of the 2024 season to new club South Coast Sharks on Sunday.
The Pumas started brightly but were eventually overwhelmed by the Sharks, who won 16.8 (104) to 4.6 (30) in Torquay.
Despite the relentless pressure from the home team, the Pumas finished with two late goals in the final quarter to add respectability to the scoreboard.
Maryborough coach Terry Hillier said the late goals to Euan Tait and Trevor Chapman were an appropriate reward for effort from the visitors, who never gave up against a strong, motivated opponent.
“The contest was very hot in the middle of the oval and I think we won our share of the ball but the South Coast Sharks boys were probably cleaner with the ball than we were,” Hillier said.
“Our defenders actually did a really good job of rebounding out of the back line but the Sharks just had too many opportunities.
“On the other hand, we probably didn't use the ball well enough into the forward line and we always seemed to be short of numbers.”
Maryborough's cause was not helped by the unavailability of a significant number of players for the trip away.
In a sporting gesture by the league newcomers, South Coast provided the Pumas with several players, two of whom (Aaron Bones and Sharks president David O'Brien) kicked Maryborough's first two goals.
South Coast's first goal came against the flow of play but then the home team kicked into gear with the next three goals with the wind.
The Sharks then extended the margin against the wind, effectively sealing the result by half time.
Lauchlan Williams was named the Pumas' best, with rebounding defenders Matthew Powell, Steven Shovan and Jackson Fitzpatrick also outstanding for the visitors.
The Maryborough midfield, led by Kayne Pascoe and Chris Gunn also more than held their own against their opponents.
Maryborough returns to Princes Park for its first home match of the season on May 5 against another new club, Macorna.