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GENUINE winning opportunities have been scarce for Castlemaine over the past season-and-a-half.
Just three wins in the Magpies’ past 30 games will attest to that, but an opportunity for four points presents on Saturday at Camp Reserve against Maryborough.
Although, such have been the struggles of Castlemaine this season, coach Derrick Filo concedes his Magpies deserve to go in as the underdogs against a club that has won just one of its past 65 games.
“Playing at home this weekend is obviously an opportunity for us, but we’re playing a team that since round one has been in better form than us… that’s the simple reality,” Filo said on Friday.
“I’m confident the boys will be up for it on Saturday and we have seen some positive signs over the past few weeks, but there’s no doubt Maryborough is playing better footy than us and deserve to go in as the favourites.”
Castlemaine defeated Maryborough by 23 points in the opening round in its only victory so far this season, while the Magpies are still winless.
However, in their eight matches each since round one, Castlemaine’s average losing margin of 124 points is significantly higher than Maryborough’s 73.
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Castlemaine is fielding the youngest list Filo has been in charge of during his lengthy coaching career that began in 1995, with Saturday’s team to feature eight teenagers and only four players over the age of 21.
“It has been a challenging year on the field, but we’re getting games into the likes of Riley Pedretti, Darby Semmens, Jack Chester and Will Moran, who have played some good footy this year and are going to be very good players for us,” Filo said.
“We just need to get a win to get a bit of confidence back.”
CASTLEMAINE v. MARYBOROUGH
Castlemaine
B: M. Noonan, S. Moss, J. Watson
HB: A. Robins, S. Nettleton, R. Pedretti
C: L. Mitchell, J. Smith, D. Semmens
HF: J. O'Brien, J. Wootton, S. Banko
F: W. Moran, K. Huntly, J. Chester
R: B. Blake, D. Atkins, J. O'Neil
Int: N. Woodman, T. Williams, L. Martini, J. Johnson
In: J. Watson, J. O'Brien, W. Moran
Out: Z. Denahy, T. Hedley, M. Wenn
Maryborough
B: C. O'Shea, M. McClure, Z. Polinelli
HB: C. Rowe, B. Neill, J. Hooper
C: C. Freeman, L. Bucknall, Z. Egan
HF: B. Lavars, J. Templeton, L. Bond
F: M. Kennedy, J. Postle, M. Miranda
R: E. Grech, J. Long, C. Perry
Int: W. Sultana, B. Larkin, J. Fraser, D. Lewis, D. Carter, B. Malone, J. Hayward
In: B. Neill, J. Hayward, W. Sultana