METIS WEALTH MATCH REVIEW - PIES FLEX MUSCLE
Andrew Thomson
The Western Magpies have flexed their muscle to a resounding victory over Wilston Grange at Stafford on Saturday.
The Pies treated the match as a danger game after the Gorillas pushed Morningside last week and were prepared for a strong stoush as Grange attempt to keep their finals hopes alive.
However it did not take long for the Pies to get on top with a 4 goals to nil first quarter establishing a handy quarter time lead.
The Pies squandered 2nd quarter opportunities to open up a larger half time lead but were well in control at half time. Val Pope returned from a trip overseas to pick up where he left off and had an impressive return with a 5 goal haul. However at times he was blowing up a little earlier than normal to underline a good time on the trip!
The back line was right on top and kept the home team to 2 goals at half time-in fact the Pies kept Grange goalless from the 2 minute mark of the second quarter until half way through the final quarter. Brady Allen, Luke Scott and Luke Mitchell were all on top and provided plenty of rebound for the Pies. A magnificent and dominate third quarter which netted 9 goals while keeping the Gorillas to a solitary behind saw the Pies out to a 87 three quarter time lead
Up forward Brent Staker booted the first 2 goals of the match to set the scene and Sam Copland was busy with strong leading and plenty of ball but poor kicking for goal (2.5) tarnished an otherwise standout game.
David Lewis started on a wing then moved to half back and never put a foot wrong and Matt Davis enjoyed pushing forward. Brenton Saunders with 3 goals was a dangerous player up forward and put his body on the line several times to underline the Pies' commitment.
Brodie Easton worked hard on a wing and has established himself in the side and Cal Carseldine was again up to his neck in it with numerous contested possessions and taking the honours in shutting down Gorillas key playmaker in Steve Brittain.
Gareth Crawford just seems to be at the contest all day and bobs up with the ball in tight situations and rarely wastes it.
Dom Beer won in ruck in a welcome return the the side and to form.
The Pies eased off in the last quarter and rested a few players who were carrying niggles but the commitment by the team was demonstrated by Brodie Easton and Ben Jaenke-Cain in the final quarter--Easton x5 efforts in a row to keep the ball in the forward line and Jaenke-Cain x4 similar efforts with 5 minutes to go and a 95 point lead!
The win has boosted the Pies percentage and ensconced them in third position on the ladder and they are now eyeing second place.
The Magpies host Sandgate at Chelmer on Saturday in front of the 2006 Seniors and Reserves premiership players celebrating their ten year reunion, with a few of them still getting about in the senior side to give them plenty of entertainment!
Western Magpies 4.4 - 28 | 8.8 - 56 | 15.14 - 104 | 19.16 - 130
defeated
Wilston Grange 0.3 - 3 | 2.4 - 16 | 2.5 - 17 | 5.5 - 35
Best: Crawford, Easton, Lewis, Saunders, Copland, Carseldine
Goals: Pope 5, Saunders, Staker 3, D.Mitchell, Copland 2, Dickfos, Allen, Thomson, Lewis