Sport
28 July, 2022
Pumas fall short in Blue Ribbon round
It was tight, it was tough, but Maryborough fell frustratingly short in Saturday night’s AFL Masters Vic Country clash against Woodend-Hesket at Princes Park. In a match where scoring opportunities for both sides were limited, the Pumas proved...
It was tight, it was tough, but Maryborough fell frustratingly short in Saturday night’s AFL Masters Vic Country clash against Woodend-Hesket at Princes Park.
In a match where scoring opportunities for both sides were limited, the Pumas proved unable to take their chances in attack, beaten 3.8 (26) to the Hawks’ 5.4 (34).
Woodend-Hesket, meanwhile, scored a brace of improbable goals during the third term and then kicked the only major of the final quarter to hold on.
Maryborough coach Terry Hillier could not fault his team’s effort but admitted the visitors were cleaner with their skills in the wet, slippery conditions.
“It could have gone either way,” he said.
“The effort in the first half was a big improvement. We could have been further in front.
“Woodend kicked a couple of amazing goals to get in front after half time and we weren’t able to peg them back.”
Maryborough had five scoring shots to two in the first term but trailed by two points, with Brett Forti kicking the home team’s only major.
The Pumas converted the only two goals of the second quarter through Brad Fraser and Jibb Iglesias to take a nine-point lead at the main change.
Woodend-Hesket struck back in the third term before the last 15 minutes of the match settled into an arm-wrestle.
Nick Weaver was named Maryborough’s best by Woodend-Hesket, with Andrew Hughes, Brett Forti, Chris Gunn and Alan Lendon also among the home team’s better players.