Sport
31 August, 2023
Maryborough’s young talent ready to shine
It’s young talent time for the Maryborough FNC again, with the under 18s footballers and 17 and under netballers taking over the Queen Elizabeth Oval on Sunday morning as they play in their elimination finals. The two teams will represent the club...
It’s young talent time for the Maryborough FNC again, with the under 18s footballers and 17 and under netballers taking over the Queen Elizabeth Oval on Sunday morning as they play in their elimination finals.
The two teams will represent the club in the Bendigo Football Netball League finals series, just as they did last year, with both teams set to play against Strathfieldsaye.
Maryborough’s younger grades have also found success this season — overall, there will be four teams playing off in finals, with the under 16s and under 14s footballers also joining them.
Both teams will be playing South Bendigo at Camp Reserve on Sunday afternoon, while the under 18s begin at 10.15 am and 17 and under starts at 10 am, both at Queen Elizabeth Oval.
ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD
For the under 18s footballers it’s a chance to avenge their five-point defeat to the Storm last season, in a game which was decided in extra time, with the margin no more than seven points during the game.
Under 18s coach Brady Neill is aware that a win would be of great benefit to the club going forward.
“It’s exciting for the club. The boys have been working hard in our second year back in the competition. We want to make a dent on the finals this time,” he said.
“It’s great to play Strathfieldsaye again. Given we went down by five points in extra time last year, there is a bit of revenge that we’re seeking for a lot of the boys who played last year.
“We’re looking forward to Sunday and we would love to reward ourselves with a win.”
Neill admits while a mid-season slump did set the team back, he believes the way the team played against Gisborne last week has set them up for a good outing on Sunday.
“The Gisborne game was one we wanted to play well in going into finals, and although we lost, we did what we had to. We still have a few tricks up our sleeve if we get to play them again. We worked hard and did things we wanted to as a team,” he said.
“Admittedly, we have had a few disappointing weeks prior to that, but our work rate was back, and we are also getting a full list back.
“We had three of us play Pioneers football, and others who have played in the seniors and reserves were a bit banged up, but they’re also bringing that experience back into the team.”
Those players Neill mentions are Pioneers products Taj Bond, Lucas Hurse and Kaian Constable, while Neill was also quick to praise first-year players Oscar Tatchell and Luke Dunne, as well as best and fairest winner Tom Myers.
“What we missed last year was the number of A grade players we have to have. Teams like Sandhurst and Golden Square that are always at the top have plenty of those types,” he said.
“We’ve been fortunate enough to welcome a few of those guys, like Luke Dunne and Oscar Tatchell from the district league. They’ve proven they are very good players.
“Tom Myers has had an exceptional season. When he has played senior football, he has performed very well there, and we feel he is one of the better players in the competition.
“We’re looking forward to those guys playing big roles for us and be a big help going forward.”
Neill says a win would be the next step for the club going forward on the field, as they aim to get back to their winning ways in senior football.
“I think it’s a next step for us as a team and a club, seeing the success of the under 18s and having that progression is pivotal for us going forward,” he said.
“If we can have a win against a big powerhouse Bendigo team, it’s a huge mental break for us, and the club would also understand that we have enough talent to beat those kinds of teams going forward.
“There’s a great pathway here at the moment in the juniors. There’s a pathway to play senior footy at the club, and looking forward, the under 16s have some very talented players as well. It’s exciting that they are playing in division one finals.
“But it’s all about that progression, and you can see it with the guys playing that high level of football.”
ON THE NETBALL COURT
For the 17 and unders, not much separates themselves and the fourth-placed Storm, with the two teams separated by just 3.2 percent on the ladder, while on the court, there isn’t much to split them either — having drawn their first game, while the Magpies won the second meeting by six goals two weeks ago.
Co-coaches Alicia Cassidy and Tali Chadwick are aware of this, but are also confident they have the cattle to contain the Storm on Sunday.
“I think it will be a challenge. We had a draw with them the first time around and a six-goal win the second time. But I’m confident that we have the combinations in case things aren’t working and we can switch things around,” Cassidy said.
“I think the girls will go in after a hard-fought game against Gisborne last week, and they are in good form.”
For Chadwick, it’s her first foray into coaching, having stepped up into the A grade team to play a critical role in the midcourt this year, and while she is still very young, she says she has grown as much as the team has this year.
“It’s a lot different, and you see how much harder coaching is when you do it for the first time, and it’s good to be around with all the girls that are around my age. Seeing them improve makes me feel proud of them,” she said.
“They are very versatile and they are very close. The bonds they have means they work well together on the court.
“The girls put in the hard work at training and the court, so it’s good to see them coming up and playing with me on the court. It’s a good environment to be in.”
Cassidy was quick to point out the form of the team’s top three in the best and fairest, in particular, winner Ella Patten and Cassidy’s daughter, Millie, who finished runner-up, who will be representing the North Central area in the state championships in October.
“It’s fantastic to see talent like Abbey Nalder being given an opportunity each week, which has made her stronger for her game. Ella Patten has also had a few games in A grade, and the experience helps develop her game,” she said.
“We can also have some confidence for next year, as someone like Ella is still bottom-age in 17s, which is a fair effort in itself, that she can take some more senior roles in the future.
“The exposure that Ella and Millie have had representing the league in interleague and in the North Central setup coming up will help them learn plenty from different coaches.
“Tamara Gilchrist, the Sandhurst coach who has won five in a row in A grade, is helping them develop with different girls outside of our club, and they’re bringing that experience back to help our club be even better.”
Like many around the club, Cassidy takes pride in the precocious talent the club boasts.
“We all proud of the youth here at the club, especially with the under 18 boys getting through as well” she said.
“It’s great to see them coming through with the exceptional talent we have on board too. We’re confident ahead of our game this weekend.”