Sport
15 June, 2023
Maryborough face stiff challenge against Gisborne
The challenges keep coming thick and fast for the Magpies’ A grade brigade, with the next challenge coming up against second-placed Gisborne tomorrow afternoon. The Bulldogs have emerged to become a genuine challenger to the Sandhurst and Kangaroo...
The challenges keep coming thick and fast for the Magpies’ A grade brigade, with the next challenge coming up against second-placed Gisborne tomorrow afternoon.
The Bulldogs have emerged to become a genuine challenger to the Sandhurst and Kangaroo Flat duopoly that has dominated the league in recent years, and it will be a big test for the Magpies to keep pace with the Bulldogs.
Last week, a slow start proved costly for the Magpies, having fallen 23 goals behind at half time. While the second half was substantially better, it was not enough to prevent the Magpies from going down by 30 goals, as they now lay eighth, a game and a half behind Kyneton in seventh.
It was Maryborough’s midcourt that again performed well, with Tori Chandler and Tali Chadwick named in the better players for the day last Saturday.
The Magpies will be looking for a competitive effort against the Bulldogs, much like their last two encounters against them in 2022.
In round four, Jordan MacIlwain celebrated her 250th game with the club, but it wasn’t enough for the Magpies to overwhelm the Bulldogs as they eventually ran out 18-goal winners.
In the return meeting, Gisborne were able to get their best team together, with a number of Victorian Netball League players making an appearance. Despite that, the Magpies had some encouraging passages of play, particularly in the third quarter, where they were outscored 13-9.
Abbey Nalder scored 14 goals for the day, while Keely Hare and Maggie Tranter were the better players for the Magpies.
Elsewhere around the club, the 17 and under team will be looking to keep their double chances alive with a big challenge against the ladder-leading Bulldogs, who remain unbeaten atop the ladder.