APPOINTMENT OF COACH

GLENN HUMPHREY RE-APPOINTED SENIOR COACH

The Western Magpies have announced the re-appointment of Senior coach Glenn Humphrey for a third year at the helm.

Humphrey lifted the Pies from the bottom half of the ladder in 2014 to finish second on the ladder this season with a 15-3 record. The Magpies were disappointed in their finals performances but the improvement over the 2015 season lifted them to their best ever finish in the QAFL. 

Humphrey spoke at the club's Presentation Night recently and recapped on a successful season where the aims were to improve the game plan, be strong at the contest, improve the defensive side of the game then use that as a platform for attack and he believes these were achieved and were reasons the Pies became a major force in the competition.

Humphrey listed other highlights of the season, namely x1 Grogan medallist, x4 selected in QAFL Team of the Year, x3 Syd Guildford Award nominations, x2 Rising Star Award nominations, x2 16 year old debutantes and x3 18 year old debutantes giving exposure to senior football of junior players.

The challenge for next year is to continue to improve, to further improve defensive aspects of the game and develop a more formidable attack to again be in the mix for a premiership

QUENTIN JOHNSON AND JUSTIN GORE APPOINTED DEVELOPMENT COACHES

The Western Magpies wasted no time in re-appointing Specialist Development Coach Quentin Johnson and announced the appointment of 2015 Under 17 premiership Coach Justin Gore to the position of Under 19 (Colts) coach for 2016. 

Johnson was to fill this role in 2015 but with the QAFL changing to an Under 19 competition the Pies struggled for a team so Johnson took on the role of Reserves Coach. He still had a major role in developing his players as about half the side were youngsters who all improved throughout the season under his guidance. 

He will have a role with both the Reserves and Colts  teams and also will have input into the junior club at under 15 an 17 levels to develop a co-ordinated approach to football development in the club.

Justin Gore was the coach of the undefeated Sherwood Under 17 team in 2015 and will take the natural progression to Under 19 level. This is an important role as the Pies build a Colts team for 2016. With several players who played Reserve Grade this year still eligible  and with a number of the Under 17s progressing the club is confidant of having a good side at under 19 level in 2016. 

The Senior and Under 129 players will return for pre-season training in early November.