Ovens and Murray: Wangaratta finishes with only 17 fit players

After recovering from salary cap bust problems, Wangaratta is facing a fresh challenge — injuries. See who got hurt.

Wangaratta is counting the cost of a host of star players including coach Ben Reid being injured in a crushing 49-point loss to Albury on Saturday.

The Magpies finished a horror day with only 17 fit players with the on field carnage starting early.

Murray Waite was the first to hobble off with an ankle injury and take no further part in the match and soon after Wangaratta suffered a massive blow when star player Callum Moore was concussed and also had to leave the ground.

Callum Moore, left, and Ben Reid were part of a long injury list for Wangaratta on Saturday. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

The Magpies then lost key forward Michael Newton to an ankle injury after booting two goals to halftime.

The dismal day continued when Reid limped from the field with a hamstring injury midway through the third.

Veteran Matt Grossman was also troubled by a leg injury from early in the match and eventually exited the game in the third term by which time Albury was well on top.

Waite, Reid and Newton could face extended spells on the sidelines heading into finals, but Moore should return after next week’s general bye.

Wangaratta’s spate of injuries took the gloss of a highly anticipated clash between second-placed Albury and the third-placed Magpies.

Jacob Conlan and Jeff Garlett finished with three goals for Albury which had had star players in Rhys King, Riley Bice, Jake Gaynor and defender Lucas Conlan.

BENDIGO

Sandhurst has upset milestone celebrations for Strathfieldsaye star Lachlan Sharp with a 27-point win to remain on top of the ladder.

The Dragons defence was outstanding in conceding only two goals to the Storm until late in the final quarter.

Sharp created a slice of history in the match in becoming the first Strathfieldsaye player to reach the 200-match milestone, but went goalless opposed to Dragons’ defender James Coghlan.

Sharp’s career began in the club’s first season in the Bendigo league and he has since become one of its most decorated players with four premierships, a Michelsen Medal in 2017 and century goalkicker twice.

Lachlan Sharp’s 200th match for Strathfieldsaye ended in defeat against Sandhurst.

Sandhurst was coming off its first loss of the season to Golden Square last round and bounced back strongly with Andrew Collins, Hamish Hosking and Sam Conforti all in the best.

Collins was the Dragons most productive forward with four goals.

Strathfieldsaye slipped to fifth spot, but remains two matches clear of Gisborne in sixth.

NORTH GIPPSLAND

Heyfield has claimed another top-five team scalp in a late season charge towards finals.

The Roos are on a five-match winning streak that began after the round 9 loss to second-placed Woodside.

Their latest victory was a 14-point win against Yallourn-Yallourn North with ladder leader Traralgon Tyers United awaiting next game.

Heyfield led by a point at halftime before taking control with a four goal to one third term.

Collingwood 2010 premiership player Leigh Brown has a young Heyfield team firing in his first season as coach.

On-ballers Tyson Birss and Kail Hole starred for the Roos and regular backman Tom Marchesi kicked three goals on his return from a groin injury.

Maffra recruit Mitch Bennett also booted four goals in a forward line that was missing coach Leigh Brown due to hamstring tightness.

Brown, who played in Collingwood’s 2010 premiership, booted seven goals the previous week against Churchill.