Sport
25 April, 2024
Magpies looking to quell Bulldogs’ bite at Gisborne
Maryborough faces the challenge of a revitalised Gisborne this week at Gardiner Reserve. The Bulldogs, after missing the finals in 2023, have come out as a completely different unit that more or less resembles the 2022 premiership winning team...
Maryborough faces the challenge of a revitalised Gisborne this week at Gardiner Reserve.
The Bulldogs, after missing the finals in 2023, have come out as a completely different unit that more or less resembles the 2022 premiership winning team, despite losing their opening game of the season to the in-form Sandhurst, and Maryborough faces a tough task to maintain what’s been a reasonably competitive start to the season.
However, the big challenge for the Magpies will be to sustain a four quarter effort, with the concerning trend at the moment being the fall off from red time in the second quarter onwards.
In the opening game of the season, Maryborough conceded 15 of the last 17 goals from that moment on, although, to be fair, they were affected by injury.
On Saturday, the same could not be said, and Maryborough were unable to stop a Kangaroo Flat surge from late in the second quarter which saw them go from three points down to 23 points up by the main break, before they careered away to win by 55 points.
However, there were still some positives out of the game.
Fraser Russell provided a good option up forward for the Magpies, and he was crucial to helping them kick 12 goals in a game for the first time in 36 games.
Alex Brown was busy in the backline, collecting 39 disposals, 11 marks and eight tackles, as was Coby Perry, who was industrious as always with his 34 disposals.
Kaian Constable also put in a terrific effort, with 29 disposals — 22 of those being contested — who also collecting 11 clearances.
For a second consecutive game, Maryborough won the clearances, 49-46, but were also behind significantly in disposals (393-309) and inside 50s (67-45).
In saying that, the Magpies will need to be on right from the outset against the Bulldogs, who will be keen to show the Bendigo Football Netball League fraternity that they are bona-fide premiership contenders again.
Stopping key star Pat McKenna will be vital to Maryborough’s hopes of remaining competitive after he started his season with a five-goal effort against Sandhurst, while young gun Flynn Lakey will be another Bulldog the Magpies will need to stop.
Maryborough had two tough outings against Gisborne in 2023, losing their first encounter by 204 points in round nine, and 240 points in the final round last season.
Around the club, the reserves were sadly unable to score against Kangaroo Flat in a 231-point defeat, while the under 18s had a drawn game after leading by three goals early in the second term.
