Sport
13 July, 2023
Maryborough ready for unpredictable Flat
An intriguing challenge awaits Maryborough this weekend. Just which Kangaroo Flat outfit shows up could hold the key to whether the Magpies get their first win of the year or not. After all, there’s been two sides to the Kangaroos this season. On...
An intriguing challenge awaits Maryborough this weekend. Just which Kangaroo Flat outfit shows up could hold the key to whether the Magpies get their first win of the year or not.
After all, there’s been two sides to the Kangaroos this season. On one hand, it’s hard not to look at their purple patch from rounds three to six, which saw three wins, including a showstopping victory over Eaglehawk, and a reasonably competitive effort against Gisborne.
Then again, there is the patch afterwards, which has seen the Kangaroos lose three games by over 100 points in the wake of the departure of senior coach Nathan Johns.
Should Maryborough continue what has been a competitive fortnight of football, then they could find themselves right in this game much like they were in round three.
On that occasion, Maryborough’s kicking at goal cost them the opportunity to share in that precious win that they’ve been searching for since the early stages of 2021.
The Magpies kicked 1.9 in the third quarter, and while they sat 11 points in front at the final change, six final-quarter goals from the Kangaroos saw them take victory by 17 points.
Team selection looks set to intrigue. The opportunity is there for Jake Lohmann to get into the team for the weekend, with Sandringham’s VFL team having the bye.
Likewise, Taj Bond could return to the lineup, with the Bendigo Pioneers also sitting out this weekend. Bond has been playing some solid football in the ruck for the Pioneers, named in the best in their round 12 victory over the Murray Bushrangers, and proved to be a handful for the Kangaroos in the Magpies’ last meeting with Flat, kicking two final-quarter goals.
It’s been a slow burn for Maryborough this season as they adapt to the teachings of playing-coach Coby Perry, however slowly but surely, the players are starting to get their game in order.
Leading from the front is Perry himself, who collected 29 disposals against Eaglehawk last week, while midfield bull Joel Swatton was also industrious, collecting 23 disposals, while laying nine tackles.
Kya Lanfranchi has been a rock in defence this season, and took seven marks and laid seven tackles to frustrate the Hawk defenders last week.
Around the club, Maryborough’s under 18s will face the first of two tests to seal their finals spot in the next fortnight.
With sixth-placed Kangaroo Flat and seventh-placed Kyneton their next two assignments, and with a four-game gap on both clubs, the Magpies, if they are successful in both games, will find themselves five games and significant percentage ahead of both teams in the race for a final five spot, as well as improving on their win tally of nine from last season.
Last week, the Magpies recovered from a bout of inaccuracy to comfortably beat Eaglehawk by 56 points, while they took a six-goal victory in their last meeting with the Kangaroos in round three.