Sport
20 August, 2024
Magpies put up a fight in loss to Eaglehawk
Maryborough had one of their better performances of the year on Saturday, keeping Eagle-hawk honest for three quarters in an 81-point loss at Barkers Oval Princes Park.
It was an incredibly emotional day for the club, given the possibility of it being the final home game, but the Magpies came out firing.
They were able to kick the first goal of the game through Sean Davidson, who calmly slotted a checkside kick through for a goal, before debutant Zac Cicchini showed his wares as a star of the future by converting a free kick into a goal.
Despite the two-goal start, it was Eaglehawk who would eventually hit the front at quarter time, kicking the final three goals of the term to take an eight-point lead at the first change.
It was the Hawks who peppered the goals in the second term as they tried to make things easier throughout the balance of the afternoon, and they were able to kick three goals to one behind. However, the Hawks also kicked eight behinds for the term to leave the margin at 33 points at the main break.
Maryborough did exceptionally well to defend hard throughout the third quarter. Despite not scoring, it was one of their better quarters of the season as they frustrated Eaglehawk, and held the Hawks to just one goal for the term, which saw them lead by 42 points at the final change.
The shackles were finally released in the last term for the Hawks as they did dominate, but for the first time this season, the Magpies would hold their opposition to under 100 points in a game, with the Hawks winning 12.23 (95) to 2.2 (14).
Coby Perry was again outstanding, collecting the ball at will and doing his utmost through the midfield, while he had great support from Tom Myers, Kya Lanfranchi, Josh Britten, debutant Cicchini — who looked more than comfortable at the level — and Mitch McClure.
Maryborough will unfortunately almost certainly take the wooden spoon in the under 18s after losing to Eaglehawk by 27 points.
The margin was eight points at both half time and at the final change, but four goals to one in the last term meant that it was the Hawks’ day.
Cooper Mark, Joe Lovel, Jack Skinner, Mitch Stork, Bailey Walhouse and Lachlan Bursill were all named in the best, with Skinner and Robert Castiglia kicking two goals apiece.