Sport
26 June, 2023
Maryborough falls short of drought-breaking win
A drought-breaking win went begging for Maryborough, as the Magpies lost for the third time in season 2023 while leading in the final quarter. The 19-point loss against Castlemaine certainly wasn’t without effort, although finishing will be on the...
A drought-breaking win went begging for Maryborough, as the Magpies lost for the third time in season 2023 while leading in the final quarter.
The 19-point loss against Castlemaine certainly wasn’t without effort, although finishing will be on the agenda this week after completing the game having kicked five consecutive behinds.
Pre-game, there were some big inclusions, headlined by former Western Bulldogs and Greater Western Sydney veteran Sam Reid, who played during home club Echuca’s bye. Young gun Kaian Constable, Luke Bucknall and Patrick Chard were also included as the Magpies went all in for a win in what was Brady Neill’s 50th game.
For all the what ifs, however, there certainly will be some encouragement that the Magpies are edging closer to a victory, it’s just a matter now of learning how to win under pressure.
Castlemaine made the brighter start, and were able to kick the first goal among five scoring shots in the first term, but it was Mitch McClure who responded for Maryborough, kicking a goal with an excellent snap in congestion to get the Magpies on the board.
It was a similar story in the second quarter. Castlemaine got the first goal, but the Magpies hit back, with Chris Freeman taking a strong mark in the goal square against two opponents to convert his first of the afternoon.
There were some tense moments as Castlemaine kicked the next two goals to extend their lead to 15 points, with Maryborough kicking three behinds in succession, including a soccer kick off the ground from Freeman which was eventually called a behind. But Neill was eventually able to give Maryborough a way back into the game, converting a set shot on the half time siren to leave the Magpies just nine points behind.
That goal sparked the Magpies, who opened the third term full of running. They were only able to kick three behinds, before an inspirational run-down tackle from Coby Perry helped set up a goalscoring opportunity for Freeman, who duly converted to level the scores.
Both teams missed opportunities as the pressure intensified, but midway through the quarter, Maryborough hit the front when Constable hit the scoreboard following good ball movement to put the Magpies in front for the first time.
When Jai Howell impacted a turnover and hit Reid on the top of the goalsquare, the margin was out to 10 points, giving the Magpies a genuine whiff of victory.
However, the three-quarter-time break allowed Castlemaine to reset, and they were able to kick five goals in the last quarter, compared to Maryborough’s five behinds, to eventually run out victors.
Neill was excellent in his milestone game, as was McClure, Kya Lanfranchi, Jake Postle, Constable and Freeman.
Elsewhere on the field, Maryborough’s reserves took their second victory of the season, recording a 30-point win.
The Magpies kicked three goals to one behind in the opening quarter, and were able to hold station throughout the game as they moved clear in the battle for ninth place.
Kellan Maffescioni, Brady King, Riley Hamilton, Jackson Swan, Brad Wootton and Bailey Jacobs were the Magpies’ best players.
Maryborough’s under 18s kept their double chance dreams alive, even with a last quarter scare as they took a 10-point win.
The Magpies led by 50 points at three-quarter-time, but with the wind intensifying, Castlemaine made full use of the wind to kick six final-quarter goals.
A best-on-ground effort from Damon Nitschke, who kicked two goals, helped the Magpies, with Jake Gavriliadis, Brandon Carter, Joe Lovel, Lachlan Bursill and Liam Freeman playing well.
