Murray Magpies coach Brett Argus blames crippling injury toll for goalless performance

In what could be a league record, the Magpies failed to score a goal in either the seniors, reserves or thirds.

The club doesn't have fourths this year due to a chronic player shortage.

The thirds are also battling to attract adequate numbers to field a side each week.

With all three grades anchored to the bottom of the ladder, it was no surprise to see blowout scorelines against the Tigers.

However, not scoring a goal in any grade certainly raised more than a few eyebrows and was a major talking point of the round.

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The combined scoreline of the three matches was a whopping 78.51 (519) to a paltry 0.8 (8).

The thirds set the scene for a bleak day after losing 0.4 (4) to 13.11 (89) to the third-placed Tigers.

The seconds fared worse after failing to score and copped a 210-point caning 32.18 (210) to 0.0 (0).

The seniors were also kept scoreless for three quarters but at least scored four points during the third-quarter in their 33.22 (220) to 0.4 (4) flogging.

Senior coach Brett Argus admitted it was a long day at the office for the battling Magpies.

But he said a crippling injury toll was the main reason behind the blowouts and was not a true reflection of the Magpies who have been a lot more competitive than in 2019.

"We had 11 players out of the senior side and only had 15 blokes fit to pick from in the reserves on Thursday night," Argus said.

"So that was the major reason behind the blowouts.

"It's no secret the thirds have been battling for numbers all season and we have a player shortage.

"So Saturday was by no means a true reflection of where the club is at and we just happened to have our worst side in against the best side in the competition.

"Unfortunately most of the injuries are two to four weeks and we won't get a lot of blokes back until after the bye in two weeks.

"We got hit pretty hard with the injury stick the previous week against Howlong where we lost eight players.

"I think we copped at least another two on the weekend."

Argus couldn't help but be impressed with how well-drilled the Tigers are under coach Joel Mackie.

"They are a very good, even team, right across the board."

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