Sport
15 May, 2026
Pies start well
ONE QUARTER in which Boort “got slaughtered” saw the Magpies tumble to a 76-point loss to Birchip Watchem to continue their winless start to the season.
ONE QUARTER in which Boort “got slaughtered” saw the Magpies tumble to a 76-point loss to Birchip Watchem to continue their winless start to the season.
The Magpies led by five points at quarter-time in their best performance of the year, but the second term saw the Bulls pile on 9.2 to Boort’s solitary behind.
“It’s fair to say our midfield got slaughtered,” Boort coach Andrew Rutley said.
“We had a big focus on starting well, we led at quarter-time and were really happy with that.
“We gave the boys a bit of a pat on the back – and then we just got murdered.”
Birchip Watchem had 11 clearances to Boort’s nil in the second quarter and the Magpies’ young defence was constantly under siege.
“It was hard to get match-ups,” Rutley said, with his side still battling a horrific injury toll.
“We had 14 boys under 21, we’re relying so much on youth, and we gave them some massive jobs, and it was hard for them to compete.”
Boort was competitive in the second half, kicking seven goals to 11 after the main break, but the horse had bolted and the Bulls, grand finalists last year, sealed their first win of the season. Ash Connick was back in the coaching box for Birchip Watchem after his two-week suspension for abusing an umpire.
The Bulls had struggled for goals in the first three rounds after the pre-season departure of dual centurion Ben Edwards, and were averaging just over 50 points a game, but the forward line finally clicked with Joe Reid kicking six goals and Rhona Conboy five.
Ruckman James Byrne was best for the Magpies, along with consistent midfielder Carlos Egan and Jacob Mulquiny, who kicked three goals.
The Magpies face traditional rivals Wedderburn after this week’s league-wide bye in another tough challenge, with Birchip Watchem travelling to St Arnaud.
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