Sport
17 August, 2023
Strathfieldsaye match to kick off final two rounds
There are just two games to go for Maryborough, but if they can retain their first half application from last week, they will be able to give a good account of themselves against Strathfieldsaye tomorrow. Put simply, Maryborough enjoyed one of their...
There are just two games to go for Maryborough, but if they can retain their first half application from last week, they will be able to give a good account of themselves against Strathfieldsaye tomorrow.
Put simply, Maryborough enjoyed one of their best first halves in a long time last Saturday, as they took it right up to South Bendigo for long periods of time, and trailed by just 22 points at the main break.
More importantly, perhaps, they were able to hit the scoreboard with some regularity, scoring six goals.
However, the Bloods were able to get right off the chain in the second half, and it was the Brock Harvey and Steven Stroobants show as the two combined for 17 goals, to eventually record a 125-point win.
Maryborough had their per-formers on the weekend, which does suggest that a number of players are performing at their best at the end of what has been a tough season.
Jake Lohmann was able to come in with Sandringham’s VFL team enjoying a bye, and the midfielder delivered in spades, collecting 39 disposals (22 of them contested), 13 marks, seven clearances, six tackles and two goals to be the highest ranked player on the ground, collecting 208 ranking points for his efforts.
Coby Perry has been returning to his best form after a wrist injury kept him out for the first part of the season, and Saturday was a reminder of his talent, collecting 36 disposals, eight clearances and seven marks. His 2024 sidekick, Matt Johnston, also enjoyed a solid game, with 30 disposals, 11 clearances, and seven inside 50s and rebound 50s.
This week’s challenge pits the Magpies against Strathfieldsaye, who recorded a 134-point victory last time the two teams met.
In that game, the Magpies were able to have a solid last quarter, kicking three of their five goals.
Chris Freeman and Alex Gavriliadis kicked two goals apiece, while Johnston, Lohmann, Rhys Egan, Luke Dunne, Joel Swatton and Luke Guelen were all named in the best.
The challenge of stopping Ron Best Medal leader Lachlan Sharp will be a big challenge for the Maryborough defence tomorrow, particularly given the Storm spearhead is coming off a haul of 14 goals against Kangaroo Flat last week.
Elsewhere, Maryborough’s reserves team will be looking to repeat their efforts against the Storm in their last meeting, where they lost by 81 points, while the under 18s will be looking to seal their spot in the finals and set a marker for a potential first week meeting with the Storm.