Sport
1 April, 2024
BFNL season begins with Maryborough taking a 69 point loss against Castlemaine
Maryborough were left to rue the cost of three untimely injuries sustained before halftime in their season opening clash with Castlemaine, one which saw them concede 15 of the last 17 goals to eventually go down by 69 points in the battle of the...
Maryborough were left to rue the cost of three untimely injuries sustained before halftime in their season opening clash with Castlemaine, one which saw them concede 15 of the last 17 goals to eventually go down by 69 points in the battle of the Magpies.
Before that, however, Maryborough were able to show an improved level of fight thanks to the performance of many new recruits and players who stepped in for the afternoon, opening up a three-goal lead during the second quarter against a team many are tipping to be the big improver of the Bendigo Football Netball League season on the field.
While it would ultimately be a frustrating day for Matt Johnston, Coby Perry and their charges given the amount of potential on offer during the second quarter, there was enough in their performance to suggest the Magpies could potentially challenge for wins against teams on the lower end of the ladder during 2024.
After conceding the first goal of the afternoon, Maryborough were impressive over the next 10 minutes, with returning recruit Fraser Russell slotting through the first goal of the season for the Magpies, before fellow new recruit Seb Collins put through a long goal from outside 50.
Another recruit, youngster Robert Castiglia on debut, was able to get a third straight goal for Maryborough to give them an 11-point lead.
While Castlemaine hit back with the next two goals, Ty Stewart soon provided the highlight of the day for Maryborough with an outstanding snap from the boundary line belying his status as a ruckman to ensure the Magpies would lead by five points at quarter time.
Castlemaine kicked the first goal of the second term to hit the front, but Maryborough again hit back with the next three goals. Bailey Edwards scored a long goal to give the Magpies the lead again, before Jake Twycross added another shortly after some great play from Lucas Hurse through the middle, and then doubled up with another goal from a set shot to give Maryborough a 17-point lead.
It was at this time, however, that the injury toll started to stack up for the Magpies.
They lost crafty small forward Kirk Looby to a rib injury in his first game back in a number of years after returning from St Arnaud, and then Russell was off the ground following a twinge to his groin. The big momentum-turner for Maryborough was the injury to Collins, who, at that stage, was a force to be reckoned with in the air and around the ground, to an elbow injury. The Magpies will no doubt be sweating on the fitness of all three in the short-to-medium term.
With Collins out, it allowed Castlemaine playing-coach Michael Hartley and Bailey Henderson to cut loose for the remainder of the half, and they added three quick goals prior to half time to hit the front and lead by two points.
Maryborough were determined to show they still had plenty of fight in the second half, despite going down to one on the bench, but it was the likes of Hartley, Henderson and Zach Greeves who were starting to cut loose for Castlemaine, and added the next six goals to open up a 31-point lead.
Some brilliance from Kaian Constable showed that Maryborough weren’t quite ready to throw in the towel yet, as he added two quick goals to keep Castlemaine on their toes, reducing the margin to 19 points.
But a late goal ensured Castlemaine would go into the last change 25 points up.
Although Castlemaine would eventually run all over Maryborough, the Magpies didn’t lose too many friends with their effort throughout the day, with the lack of rotations and the hot weather conspiring against their focus to run out the game strongly.
Castlemaine would eventually add six goals and nine behinds in the last quarter, while Maryborough could only manage the one behind, to run out 69-point winners, but it was not reflective of the effort Maryborough put in throughout the afternoon.
Edwards put in a stellar effort for the Magpies, while Twycross and Constable also impressed with their two goals apiece.
On a positive note for Maryborough, it was the club’s highest score since round 10, 2022, and they looked more composed up forward with their forward 50 entries throughout the first half, which impressed the Magpies’ hierarchy at the main break.
Elsewhere on the field, Maryborough’s reserves couldn’t keep up with Castlemaine’s improved depth after quarter time, conceding the final 13 goals of their match to lose by 88 points, while the under 18s, following a chaotic battle with plenty of feeling between the two teams, would eventually lose by seven points.
Maryborough will now have three weeks off, perhaps giving them the opportunity to regain Looby and Russell, while Collins looks set to miss a chunk of time with his elbow injury.
Their next game will see them host their opening home clash of season 2024 when they take on Kangaroo Flat on April 20 at Barker Oval Princes Park.
