Sport
23 August, 2024
Pies set for big Strathfieldsaye date
Whether this is Maryborough’s last match as we know them or not, they will be looking to take the challenge right up to Strathfieldsaye this weekend at Tannery Lane after an encouraging outing against Eaglehawk in their last start.
With the future for the club uncertain, an emotion-charged Maryborough outfit kicked the first two goals of the game against the Hawks, but that was as good as it got in their possible last home game at Barker Oval Princes Park, with Eaglehawk kicking the remaining 12 goals of the match.
However, one cannot diminish the performance from a larger scale from an inexperienced Magpies outfit which boasted two debutants in Zac Cicchini and Jack Skinner, and indeed, it was a game where the Hawks were kept honest right until three-quarter-time.
The Hawks could only muster seven goals in the first three quarters, including just one in the third quarter, in a great defensive showing from the Magpies.
Captain Coby Perry once again led from the front with another spectacular display, collecting 49 disposals, of which 23 were contested. Ten clearances was also a highlight as the Magpies’ main man continues an irresistible case to land himself a spot in the Bendigo Football Netball League team of the year.
Cicchini, on debut, was another to impress, showing his doubtless ability which will take him a long way in football. Cicchini kicked a terrific goal from a great defensive play, laying a tackle which earned a free kick, and earning a set shot at goal, which he duly converted.
However, Cicchini was terrific throughout the afternoon, with last year’s Bendigo Junior Football League under 16s best and fairest collecting 26 disposals and seven clearances.
Alongside the duo, Maryborough also named Tom Myers, Kya Lanfranchi, Josh Britten and Mitch McClure in their best players.
A wider look at the stats shows why Maryborough were able to keep the Hawks honest. The 95 points they conceded was a season low, while the Magpies put up good numbers in the clearance battle, winning 38 clearances to the Hawks’ 54, while their application defensively was the best it had been all season, laying 60 tackles.
However, getting the ball inside 50 remains a problem, and Eaglehawk were able to convincingly win that count 76-21, while having the lion’s share of the ball with 473 disposals to 247.
The Magpies will be determined to now frustrate a Strathfieldsaye team who are determined to land the double chance in this year’s finals, needing only a draw at worst to land third place.
The Storm went down by five goals to Sandhurst last week, and will want to recapture the form which saw it topple Gisborne recently.
In round nine, the Storm were able to kick 21 goals in a dominant second half to eventually record a 226-point victory.
Perry was again named in the best, while Lanfranchi, Beau Trahar, Ash Humphrey, Britten and Dylan Reece were also good performers.
Maryborough will be hoping to turn around a 20-point loss in the under 18s to give themselves a chance of avoiding the wooden spoon.
The Magpies will need a victory, and rely on an Eaglehawk loss, to turn around their fortunes, which saw them unable to hang with
the Hawks in the last quarter last week.
Cooper Mark again played well, as did Joe Lovel, while Skinner, Mitch Stork, Bailey Walhouse and Lachlan Bursill were also named in the best.
As a gesture of goodwill through-out the afternoon, all patrons at Tannery Lane will be admitted with free entry, while there will also be marquees for Maryborough patrons.