Sandhurst records largest win ever in Bendigo league over Maryborough

It’s gone from bad to worse for Maryborough as Sandhurst broke two records more than 30 years old. Now the Dragons say everything must be done to help the Pies bounce back.

Noah Walsh kicked seven goals for Sandhurst in a large win over Maryborough. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Sandhurst president Mark O’Farrell says he would support the league and clubs gathering together to find ways to support Maryborough to remain and bounce back in the Bendigo league.

May 4, 2024, will be remembered as a dark day for Maryborough with the club suffering the biggest ever loss in the Bendigo league, a 333-point loss to the Dragons.

It beats the previous mark of 301 set by South Bendigo in 1990 against Kennington-Strathdale.

Sandhurst’s score of 54.23.(347) is also a record for the highest ever score in the competition.

The previous mark, 322, was also held in the same game in 1990.

Sandhurst had the contest wrapped up in the first term, kicking 11 goals to one to lead by 66 points at the first break.

The Dragons then kicked 30 goals in the next two terms before adding another 11 in the final term to set up the record-breaking win.

Lachlan Wright kicked 12 goals for the Dragons with former AFL player Fergus Greene kicking nine.

Fergus Greene, playing for Hawthorn last year, kicked nine goals for Sandhurst on Saturday. Photo by Michael Klein.

For Maryborough the loss compounded a tough two weeks.

The side has been forced to forfeit its past two reserves matches after struggling with players injured or being unavailable.

With almost a dozen seniors out it’s forced the team to play reserves or under-18s, which has seen them struggle to be competitive for even a quarter.

O’Farrell admitted the contest for the team was tough to stay focused but the players coped with it well.

“That was probably the pleasing part of the day,” he said.

“Our players stuck to their plans and they didn’t go goal crazy or hunt kicks.

“They kept the forward line open.
“They’ve played a good game given the circumstances, which are pretty tough.

“Maryborough played a really disciplined game, didn’t cause any trouble and anything.

“You’ve got to take your hat off to them.”

O’Farrell said he spoke to the club’s president during the week and the vice president and committee on Saturday while the game was unfolding.

He, like others, just hope this period for Maryborough can be overcome and the Magpies can bounce back.

The loss on Saturday was the teams 50th straight in seniors in the competition and is the second longest losing streak in the state.

“We can’t afford to lose another team,” O’Farrell said.

“It’s important they can get their numbers up (players) and their volunteers up to keep going.

“They’ve been around in the Bendigo league for 30 years, we can’t lose them.”

And he welcomes efforts to help them improve and get more competitive.

“You have to support it in this situation (incentives),” O’Farrell said.

“I’ll be positive that is the attitude across the league.”

Maryborough now has a week to sort out more players with the Pies having the bye next Saturday before their next game against South Bendigo on May 18.