THE past two weeks have proven a case of “what could have been” for Boort as it remains mired to the bottom of the North Central league ladder.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Yet had two tight results decided by less than a kick gone the way of the Magpies, they could instead be just percentage outside the top four.
Despite their lowly position on the ladder, the Magpies have been narrowly beaten by top four teams St Arnaud (5 points) and reigning premier Wycheproof-Narraport (2) in their past two games.
RELATED – LAST WEEKEND’S ROUND 10 WRAP
“I was confident we might be able to upset a couple of teams on the way home and we’ve had our opportunities in both of those games to get the points, but we didn’t, which is quite frustrating,” coach Corey Gregg said.
“Considering the start we had, we need to be winning every game from here to be a chance of playing finals, so we’ve been treating the past three games like mini-finals.”
"We’ve had our opportunities in both of those games to get the points
- Corey Gregg - Boort coach
The Magpies won just one of their first seven games, but over the past three weeks have defeated Charlton by 24 points before the back-to-back near misses against the Demons and Saints.
Gregg says getting some key players back into the side has been crucial to the Magpies’ improved performances over the past three weeks.
RELATED – MILESTONE FOR MAGPIE GOODING
“Richard Tibbett missed six weeks with a medial strain. He’s a key part of our structure whether it be forward, back or in the ruck, so getting him back in the side gives us a bit more stability,” Gregg said.
“One of our recruits Connor Ballingall missed the first eight weeks after hurting his knee in a practice match. Getting him back in gives us a bit more run.
“And the other one to two-week injuries you have… we’ve had weeks where we were making four changes, which unsettled the side.”
The Magpies have also been without star ruckman and 2016 Feeny medallist James Orr, who re-injured his knee in round two and is out for the season.
“He’s probably our most important player in the ruck and gives us first use, so not having him there has made it a bit tougher through the midfield,” said Gregg, who has been named among his best players in every game this season.
“We’ve had to play Brodie Leonard-Shannon, Richard Tibbett and Mitch Buchanan in the ruck, which upsets our structures forward and back, so we’ve been dealing with that and for those sort of reasons it has been a frustrating year.”
The Magpies this Saturday host Wedderburn, with the game coinciding with a reunion of the club’s last senior premiership in 2008.
The Magpies defeated Wedderburn 11.15 (81) to 10.6 (66) to capture the 2008 premiership in a game where the Redbacks’ David Fevaleaki earned the Des Darcy Medal for best on ground.
• NCFL ladder
Birchip-Watchem – 10-0
Wycheproof – 9-1
St Arnaud – 5-4-1
Donald – 4-6
Sea Lake Nandaly – 4-6
Charlton – 3-7
Wedderburn – 2-7-1
Boort – 2-8
We want to know your thoughts
In the lead up to the Victorian state election on November 24, Fairfax Media is giving you the chance to have your say about issues that matter to you.
Your answers will help shape our coverage.
Take our anonymous survey, here: