Sport
15 July, 2024
Magpie setback in double-chance quest with 47-goal loss
Maryborough were dealt a 47-goal loss by Gisborne on Saturday afternoon as the ladder-leaders flexed their muscle. The Bulldogs were relentless as they looked to continue their terrific run, while Maryborough’s loss means they are still vulnerable...
Maryborough were dealt a 47-goal loss by Gisborne on Saturday afternoon as the ladder-leaders flexed their muscle.
The Bulldogs were relentless as they looked to continue their terrific run, while Maryborough’s loss means they are still vulnerable to missing out on the double chance, particularly with a massive game on the horizon against Sandhurst approaching.
Gisborne burst from the blocks on Saturday with an 18-goal to five start to lead by 13 goals at the opening change. Megan Kelly scored three goals for Maryborough, while Jordan MacIlwain added two.
The Bulldogs continued to dictate terms in the second term, not giving the Magpies a sniff as they scored 16 goals to five to increase their lead to 24 goals by the main break, leading 34-10. It was a similar story for the Magpie goalscorers for the term, with Kelly scoring three goals and MacIlwain two.
Gisborne were at their best in the third quarter as they completely blanketed the Magpies attacks, despite their best efforts, with the Bulldogs scoring 21 goals to four to lead by 41 at the final change, 55-14. Kelly scored three goals, and MacIlwain one.
The Magpies did fire a salvo in the last term as they had their best effort of the day, scoring nine goals for the term, while holding Gisborne to 15, but the league leaders did more than enough to showcase why they were the premiership favourites with a strong win.
MacIlwain scored six goals to finish with 11 for the day, while Kelly added three to lead the scoring with 12.
It was a difficult assignment for Maryborough’s other senior teams, with B grade losing 54-17 and B reserve finding the going very difficult, losing 85-13.
The big positive from the day came from Maryborough’s 17 and under group, who have almost certainly locked in the double chance courtesy of an impressive 13-goal victory over Gisborne.
The result gives Maryborough a double over last year’s premiers, a supreme effort, and gives the Magpies a four-game gap over fourth-placed South Bendigo with five games to go, while the Magpies have also locked in a finals berth, sitting five games clear of Castlemaine, Strathfieldsaye and the Bulldogs.
The Magpies will have a big challenge this week when they travel to the Queen Elizabeth Oval for an early finals preview against Sandhurst.