Sport
29 August, 2022
Heartbreak for under 18 Magpies in extra time
Maryborough’s under 18 team gave it absolutely everything in a thrilling elimination final encounter with Strathfieldsaye which went to extra time. However, they agonisingly fell short by just five points. In a game that was as close as it gets...
Maryborough’s under 18 team gave it absolutely everything in a thrilling elimination final encounter with Strathfieldsaye which went to extra time. However, they agonisingly fell short by just five points.
In a game that was as close as it gets, the margin was no greater than seven points at any stage of the contest. Yet with a minute to go in regulation, it looked like the Magpies could have taken one of their greatest successes against a Storm side that had finished three and a half games above them on the ladder.
Nevertheless, the Magpies were well in the game, despite conceding the first goal within 20 seconds. They were able to rebound well and kick two goals in the first quarter to trail by one point at quarter time.
The Magpies started better in the second quarter, with Jai Howell kicking the first goal to give them the lead, and they also had some good chances to extend their margin, but could only add two behinds to their total.
It proved to be costly, as Strathfieldsaye were able to kick the next two goals to take a seven-point lead going into the main break.
A thrilling third quarter saw the Magpies kick three goals to two, with Liam Freeman and Taj Bond among those to hit the scoreboard with important set shots. That saw the Magpies overhaul their half time deficit to lead by one point at the last change.
The last quarter was a thriller. Strathfieldsaye kicked two of the first three goals to open up a five-point lead, but an important goal to Howell allowed the Magpies to take the lead.
The Storm then kicked a point to level the scores, but with just a couple of minutes left, Freeman was able to finish off a Magpies counter-attack with a running goal to dramatically put them in front by one goal.
Unfortunately, the Magpies could not hold on, as a goal with a minute left meant that scores would be tied when the final siren went, and two lots of five-minute periods would be needed to decide the game.
It was Strathfieldsaye that hit the scoreboard first, kicking an identical goal to the one that tied the game to ensure they would lead at the end of the first extra time period by one goal.
A tight struggle in the second half saw no goals kicked. The Magpies had one last chance to send the game to double overtime, but a flying shot at goal with just 20 seconds left agonisingly hit the post, and left them five points short.
The better performers for the Magpies throughout the season stood up in a big way throughout, with Lucas Hurse putting in an outstanding midfield performance alongside Tom Myers, Howell, Bond, Cobie Read and Luke Guelen.
In truth, all players from both sides played extremely well to make it such a thrilling contest throughout the morning, and with the Magpies putting in an admirable performance, it shows that the future is indeed bright on the field.