METIS WEALTH MATCH REVIEW - BLACK WEEKEND FOR THE WEST

It was a black weekend for the Black and Whites as the Seniors, Reserves, Colts and Woodsmen all suffered significant defeats in important matches.

The Seniors put their finals prospects in jeopardy with a 10 goal defeat, the Reserves blew a chance to go into the five with a narrow loss, the Colts were blown away in the second half of their Qualifying Final and the Woodsmen bowed out of the 2016 finals with a loss in the First Semi Final. 

The good news is that the Seniors can still finish in third place but it will be tight on several fronts, the Reserves will need a big slice of luck to make it and the Colts get a second chance in the First Semi Final vs Aspley this week.

BAD LOSS COSTS PIE SENIORS DEARLY

A match the Western Magpies were confident of winning and cementing a finals position went pear shaped as the Pies capitulated in the second half to suffer their second ten goal loss to Morningside this season. The loss resulted in a loss of percentage as well as allowing Morningside to draw level on points with the Magpies. The Pies still hold third place on the ladder but such is the ladder and draw that they face a virtual elimination final when they host fourth placed Surfers Paradise at Chelmer on Saturday.

Even a win on Saturday could result in a either third or fourth placed finish as Morningside play Sandgate and this brings percentage into the equation-- the Pies hold a 5.22 percent advantage over Morningside, which equates to about a 12 goal win which means a narrow Pies victory could still see them slip a place on the ladder-- there will be plenty of AFLQ Live Score watching on Saturday!! A Pies loss means season over unless Wilston Grange upset Mt Gravatt.

In Saturday's match, leading by a point deep into time on in the second quarter before a late Panthers goal gave them a 5 point half time lead, the Pies were well in the game and in fact for long periods controlled the match in the first half without putting scoreboard pressure on the home team.

The first half was tough contested football and the Magpies decided to play it close to restrict the Panthers scoring.

The second half did not go to plan as the Pies were beaten in the middle of the ground and the home side killed the Pies on the spread who were back pedaling as a result and indisappointing second half were outscored 12 goals to 2. The Pies were fumble-bums after half timeand missed targets with hand and foot and it was an uncharacteristic display from the Magpies. Key defender Chris Hunt was injured in the second quarter and could not resume after half time and he was sorely missed.

The only winner on the day for the Pies was 17 year old fullback Charlie Pershouse, who kept Morningside's decorated full forward Kent Abey to one goal. Pershouse matched his much celebrated opponent for height and pace and his spoiling and close checking was one positive for the Magpies.

Despite being hampered with a sore foot Drew Mitchell worked hard to lift his side and another 17 year old in Will Fletcher also had a strong game across half back to underline his potential.

David Lewis was also a good player trying to stem the tide and he has had a very good few weeks with consistent football.

Nick Barling, enjoying being now injury free for the first time this year, worked hard in ruck and gave drive around ground and Jadan Morton played as a virtual old-fashioned ruck-rover and he battled hard all around the ground in an effort to lift his side.

Coach Nathan Clarke locked his charges in the rooms after the match to spell out a few home truths and he will expect his team to lift for this week's big match. It is a virtual elimination final--the loser misses out but if the Pies win it may secure third place and a Qualifying Final place and the double chance the following week.

The Magpies finals series starts a week early, so get down to the Nest this week and throw your support behind the Black & White!

Western Magpies 1.4 - 10 | 3.8 - 26 | 4.10 - 34 | 5.16 - 46

lost to

Morningside 1.5 -11 | 4.7 - 31 | 10.9 - 69 | 16.10 - 106

Best: Pershouse, D.Mitchell, Fletcher, Lewis, Barling, Morton

Goals: Sondergeld, Saunders, D.Mitchell, Carseldine, Copland