Sport
9 August, 2024
Magpies seeking to continue winning run
With just three games to go, Maryborough needs to keep winning to ensure that they can stay alive in a fierce four-way battle for the double chance.
With third-placed Kangaroo Flat defeating second-placed Strathfieldsaye last week, just six points now separates the Storm from the fifth-placed Magpies, who will be favoured to take victory against the bottom-placed Golden Square this week.
The Magpies held up their end of the bargain last week by cleaning up South Bendigo by 10 goals in what was a very solid performance, and one that solidified their status as a finalist in 2024’s A reserve competition.
The early scoring of Jordan MacIlwain, who put together 27 goals last week, helped guide the Magpies to a comfortable win, having scored 11 of those goals in a first-quarter ambush which saw Maryborough lead 14-6 at the opening change, before controlling the pace of play from there and not allowing South Bendigo a sniff.
Maryborough will now be tasked with ensuring they can add another four points this weekend against a Golden Square team who has taken just one win this season.
With Eaglehawk and Strathfieldsaye on the horizon, one could be forgiven that the Magpies might have one eye towards the future, but they will want to avoid the margin being as close as the 12 goals it was in the last meeting with the Bulldogs.
There, it looked like Maryborough would take a big win when they opened up a seven-goal lead at the first change, but Golden Square fought hard to be outscored by just one goal across the next two quarters, before the Magpies eventually eased to victory.
B grade and B reserve will look for their first victories of the season, with B grade losing by 15 goals last time against the Bulldogs, while B reserve fell 11 goals short.
A possible early finals preview could be on hand this weekend, with the Magpies 17 and under looking to take the challenge to the ladder-leading Bulldogs.
Golden Square were able to inflict Sandhurst’s first loss of the season last week, and will be hoping to continue their form, while Maryborough were able to get back onto the winners list last week with a comfortable win over South Bendigo.
Last time out, nine goals separated the two teams, with Golden Square proving too strong.
With Maryborough guaranteed of finishing third at worst, they will be hoping to fine-tune their game before the finals.