Sport
16 August, 2024
Magpies host final home game
Maryborough will be hosting their final home game of the 2024 season at Barkers Oval Princes Park this week when they host Eaglehawk.
Given the club’s uncertain future beyond 2024, it could yet be a big occasion for the club, who will be hoping to put together a good performance to finish off the Magpies’ home stand for the season.
They will, of course, look to improve on last week’s 188-point loss to Golden Square — a tough assignment for the club given Square’s recent form, but one which was also courtesy of an 11-goal second term, which really set the Bulldogs up.
Maryborough’s sole goal in the last quarter last week came through Cobie Read, and they will be desperate to get some more scoring power in front of goal, particularly given Eaglehawk held the Magpies goalless in their last meeting on the King’s Birthday weekend.
Last week, the Magpies were unable to match any of the key metrics.
Golden Square managed to beat the Magpies to the ball comfortably, collecting 460 disposals to 300, while also winning the contested ball 174-106. Clearances were also in favour of the Bulldogs 54-28, as was tackles 54-48, and inside 50s 82-21.
Coby Perry never stopped trying. Again, the Magpie leader was at his brilliant best, with 47 disposals — his eighth game of 40 or more disposals in his last nine outings — while also adding 10 marks, nine clearances and five tackles.
Ash Humphrey put in a concerted effort alongside him, with 29 disposals, five tackles and three clearances, while as ever, the work of Alex Brown (32 disposals) and Kya Lanfranchi (28 disposals and eight marks) helped limit some damage for the Magpies down back.
As prefaced before, it was a tough outing for the Magpies last time they met this week’s opponents.
The Magpies were held to just one behind for the afternoon, that coming through a Tyson Hoban shot at goal in the second term, as Eaglehawk ran away to a 188-point victory.
Nineteen goals in the second half allowed the Hawks to clear away after the Magpies did a great job to allow three goals in the second term.
Perry was at his best again that afternoon, collecting 46 disposals, while Brown (40 disposals) and Humphrey (37 disposals) were also key ball-winners.
Maryborough’s under 18s will have a chance to avoid the wooden spoon with a meeting against the Hawks this week — with a win putting them six points clear in eighth position.
In that round eight meeting, a six-goal haul to Robert Castiglia helped the Magpies to a 65-point victory, with the Magpies kicking 10 goals to four after the main break.
Last week was a tough assignment for the under 18s, losing to Golden Square by 140 points.
Judd Stevens worked tirelessly in defeat, while Bailey Walhouse, Taj Costelow, Cooper Mark, Castiglia and Joe Lovel were also named in the best players.