Sport
8 June, 2023
Maryborough ready for incoming Storm
There were signs that were encouraging for Maryborough against a South Bendigo team that can consider themselves a potential finalist in this year’s competition. Now, the challenge for Coby Perry’s men is to sustain good form against...
There were signs that were encouraging for Maryborough against a South Bendigo team that can consider themselves a potential finalist in this year’s competition. Now, the challenge for Coby Perry’s men is to sustain good form against Strathfieldsaye this weekend.
Maryborough can consider themselves pleased that they could challenge good teams, particularly in the second quarter, which yielded eight scoring shots, and the last quarter, which saw the team kick three goals.
But there’s still work to be done — in particular, the third quarter which saw the Bloods kick 11 goals.
From a stats point of view on the weekend, there were a number of impressive players.
Alex Brown continues to rack up the ball at will this season, with the defender collecting 37 disposals on the weekend.
The midfielders also held their own, with Joel Swatton and Chris Freeman each having 25 disposals, as well as combining for 13 tackles.
Jai Howell was the Magpies’ best player, kicking two goals from his 22 disposals, as well as taking eight marks, showing how much potential the youngster has.
Speaking of young players making their mark, Maryborough unleashed Oscar Tatchell after some excellent under 18s form, and he enjoyed a superb debut game, getting 17 disposals and also laying nine tackles, showing his wares as one to watch for in the near future.
Maryborough’s challenge now is to make a game of it against a Strathfieldsaye team that currently sits just inside the top five.
The Magpies will be looking to improve from their recent form, which saw them lose to them twice in heavy fashion in their last two meetings in 2022.
In round five last year, the Storm kicked 21 goals in the second half to romp to a 208-point victory. Damon Lewis was the sole goalkicker for the Magpies in the third quarter, while Aidan Hare, Kya Lanfranchi, Patrick Chard, Lachlan Hull, Thomas Gardam and Liam Latch were the best players on that occasion.
Maryborough fared better in the return meeting in round 15, with the Magpies reducing their losing margin to 139. Gardam, Hare, Riley Hamilton, Dylan Harberger, Liam Murphy and Latch were named in the best players that day, while the Magpies’ had four goalkickers for their four goals.
Around the club, the Magpies will be hoping to exact revenge on the Storm in their under 18s matchup, with a win for the Magpies potentially keeping them two games inside the top five.
In that last meeting in September, the game went to extra time, where the Magpies went down by five points in a game where the margin was no more than seven points at any stage.