Sport
13 June, 2024
Magpies face fierce Storm
Another tough task approaches Maryborough this week in the form of third-placed Strathfieldsaye at Barker Oval Princes Park tomorrow. The Storm are coming off an extremely credible performance against runaway premiership favourite Sandhurst, where...
Another tough task approaches Maryborough this week in the form of third-placed Strathfieldsaye at Barker Oval Princes Park tomorrow.
The Storm are coming off an extremely credible performance against runaway premiership favourite Sandhurst, where they were only beaten in the last 10 minutes, while Maryborough are reeling from a performance which saw them goalless against Eaglehawk.
Times for the game have been changed, with the reserves forfeiting again. Under 18s will be played at 11.30 am, while the senior game will now start at 1.30 pm.
Last week was a genuine struggle for the Magpies, who were forced to borrow players from Eaglehawk’s reserves team to ensure that there was a game played.
Riley Neaves and Jack Kerr answered the call to help the Magpies, and performed reasonably admirably.
The Magpies were unable to stop Eaglehawk from swarming them as soon as they got the ball, making ball movement extremely difficult throughout the balance of the day.
This was reflected in the inside 50 stats, with Eaglehawk enjoying 80 entries compared to the Magpies’ 23.
While clearances were fairly even, with Eaglehawk winning that stat 48-43, their ball use on the outside was the major difference, enjoying 200 more possessions than the Magpies.
Co-coach Coby Perry did all he could to stop the flow of Eaglehawk possession, playing a mighty game which was ranked the highest across the Bendigo Football Netball League (BFNL) throughout the week.
Perry was dynamic throughout, collecting 46 disposals, with 21 of them contested, while also having 13 clearances and 11 marks.
It was a mighty game from the Magpies’ fearless leader as he continues to do what he can to ensure they have a chance.
Alex Brown was another who enjoyed getting plenty of the ball, getting 40 disposals, while Ash Humphrey was busy in the coalface, collecting 37 disposals and 11 clearances.
Kya Lanfranchi was adjudged the Magpies’ best player, and with good reason, collecting 22 disposals and 14 marks as he did what he could to stop the Hawks’ ball movement inside 50.
The Magpies’ challenge this week now will be to stop the ball movement of the Storm, who have continued to maintain a premiership push even after the departure of club legend Lachlan Sharp.
James Schischka will be a key threat, having scored 27 goals in seven games, while the likes of Matt Harvey and Cooper Jones have regularly been in the best this season.
Meanwhile, fresh off their first win of the season, the under 18s will be hoping to continue their good form when they host the bottom-placed Storm.
Robert Castiglia was outstanding in their 65-point win last week, tormenting the Eaglehawk defensive unit to kick six goals, while youngster Logan Howell was another who impressed. Judd Stevens, Cooper Mark, Bailey Walhouse and Diesel Palmer were also named in the best.
A victory for the under 18s will see them potentially close to within a game and a half of the top five ahead of a crucial clash with Castlemaine the following week.