Sport
7 May, 2026
FOOTY: Lions state intentions in opening minutes
Forward Liam Bianco was taken to hospital after being hit in the head and will enter concussion protocols, while ruckman Jimmy Wilson rolled his ankle in a centre square tangle and was sidelined before half-time.
BOORT coach Andrew Rutley doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Two more key players were lost to injury during the heavy defeat to Calder United on Saturday, with both to miss this week’s clash with Birchip Watchem.
Forward Liam Bianco was taken to hospital after being hit in the head and will enter concussion protocols, while ruckman Jimmy Wilson rolled his ankle in a centre square tangle and was sidelined before half-time.
The seemingly never-ending injury crisis sees Boort winless for the season and ahead of only Charlton.
Rutley bemoaned a first quarter in which the Magpies gave up four goals in the first six minutes.
The breeze was favouring the Lions end, and while Boort recovered to kick five goals in the opening term, Calder booted nine.
The big bodies of the reigning premiers showed how light the Magpies were in comparison.
The contest was all but over by half-time, and with Boort again lacking a full interchange bench, the Lions ran away in the second half for a 78-point win.
Veteran forward Steve Stroobants kicked eight goals for the winners, with former Bears Lagoon Serpentine star Justin Laird playing his best game in his new league.
Kayne Rutley booted four goals for Boort as an isolated mobile forward, with Bianco kicking two before leaving the field before three-quarter time.
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 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, when Boort has a game against great rivals Wedderburn.
Ruckman Connor Dalgliesh may also be back for the Redbacks clash.
Birchip Watchem is also winless, so Saturday’s match will kick-start one team’s season.
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