Sport
9 May, 2026
Another trio added to growing injury list
BOORT coach Andrew Rutley is wondering how many ladders he has walked under, or how many black cats have crossed his path.
BOORT coach Andrew Rutley is wondering how many ladders he has walked under, or how many black cats have crossed his path.
The Magpies, already crippled by injuries, lost another three players during their 78-point loss to reigning premiers Calder United on Saturday.
Forward Liam Bianco was taken to hospital after being hit in the head and will enter concussion protocols, ruckman Jimmy Wilson rolled his ankle in a centre square contest and was sidelined before half-time, while forward Ethan Coleman broke his nose. The seemingly never-ending injury crisis sees Boort winless for the season and ahead of only struggling Charlton on the ladder.
Rutley bemoaned a first quarter in which the Magpies gave up four goals in the first six minutes.
The breeze favoured the Lions end, and while Boort recovered to kick five goals in the opening term, Calder booted nine and never looked back.
The big bodies of the reigning premiers showed how light the Magpies were in comparison.
Kayne Rutley booted four goals for Boort as an isolated mobile forward, with Bianco kicking two before leaving the field before three-quarter time.
Hard-at-it midfielder Carlos Egan was again the team’s best player.
The Magpies handed a debut to Under 17 player Chaise Hird, while another junior, Brodie McPherson, played his second game.
The league-wide bye after the next round can’t come quickly enough for the winged Magpies, but the cavalry is approaching.
It was feared that captain Keiren Wilson’s season was over when he injured his shoulder in round one, but a positive MRI result could see him return after the bye which follows next week’s round.
Ruckman Connor Dalgliesh may also be back for the round five clash against Wedderburn.
Boort, fourth last year, plays grand finalist Birchip Watchem on Saturday, with both teams looking for their first win for 2026.
- GARY WALSH
Read More: Berrimal, Boort