Sport
10 June, 2024
Tough day for Magpies, registering one behind
Maryborough were unable to score a goal in their 188-point loss to Eaglehawk at Canterbury Park, with their losing streak extending to 53 games. The Magpies were overwhelmed in the second half by a Hawks team who swarmed the contest and suffocated...
Maryborough were unable to score a goal in their 188-point loss to Eaglehawk at Canterbury Park, with their losing streak extending to 53 games.
The Magpies were overwhelmed in the second half by a Hawks team who swarmed the contest and suffocated their ball movement throughout the balance of the afternoon, making life for the Magpies forward of centre very difficult.
They were also forced to borrow players from Eaglehawk for the day, with Riley Neaves and Jack Kerr suiting up from their opposition to ensure Maryborough fielded a full compliment of 22 players as their player shortage deepened.
A significant shoulder injury to Tom Myers also compounded their pain, with the young Magpies ruck taken to hospital after a dislocation midway through the second term, while Luke Guelen was also injured towards the end of the third term.
In any case, it was a tough day for the Magpies.
The Hawks got off to a quick start, kicking eight goals to no score in the first term as they led by 51 points at the first change.
The second quarter was a highlight for the day, with the Magpies defending resolutely and conceding just three goals for the quarter. It was also during the second term that the Magpies registered their only score of the day, with Tyson Hoban kicking a behind.
The Magpies were hoping to build on their second quarter by maintaining possession, but it wasn’t to be as Myers’ absence, coupled with Eaglehawk’s ruthless aggression defensively, meant that they were unable to stop the Hawks from scoring 10 goals in the third term as they increased their lead to 132 points at the final change.
Another nine goals in the final term meant that the Hawks were able to finish off strongly, with their accuracy a feature of their game as they scored 30.9 (189) to 0.1 (1).
Kya Lanfranchi had his hands full throughout the afternoon with the Eaglehawk forward line, but was able to perform extremely well and was a deserved best for the Magpies, while Coby Perry, Alex Brown, Ash Humphrey and Kirk Looby worked hard against the tide.
There were also a number of impressive performances from Maryborough’s younger brigade, with Hoban, Bailey Walhouse and debutant Diesel Palmer fighting on manfully.
Maryborough’s reserves were unable to take to the field again with another forfeit, but in better news, the Magpies’ under 18s team were able to taste victory for the first time in season 2024.\ Four goals to one in the second quarter allowed the Magpies to bolt to a 29-point lead, before a further 10 goals to four allowed them to win by 65 points.
Robert Castiglia put his hand up for a return to the senior lineup with a haul of six goals, while Logan Howell, Judd Stevens, Cooper Mark, Walhouse and Palmer were also named in the best throughout the morning.
