MACK TRUCK MATCH PREVIEW - TOP 5 CLASH vs PBC
Andrew Thomson
TOP FIVE CLASH WITH PBC ANOTHER BIG GAME FOR PIES
The Western Magpies have another big game in an intriguing QAFL season when they travel to the coast to take on fierce rivals Palm Beach-Currumbin on Saturday.
The Pies are fourth on the ladder but two of their losses could have gone either way while PBC sit second on the ladder and have been impressive in most outings so far.
The Pies have been hot and cold in a number of matches this year and narrow losses to Wilston Grange and Broadbeach have been the result of one bad quarter.
Pies Coach Brydan Morgan has spent the past two weeks stressing the importance of playing the full four quarters and working on the mental aspects of football.
The Pies welcome back Val Pope and Joe Murphy to add to the midfield mix as well as being able to get on the goal kicking list .
On the debit side young gun Sam Copland has an ankle sprain and will miss a large chunk of the season and on-baller Brodie Easton has a university exam ( would have been a riot if this occurred in my uni days when long hair and sidies were the go!!)
From all reports the Lions are a slick outfit who move the ball qiuickly so the Pies will have to bring their defensive A game if they are to prevail.
The Pies have always prided themselves on the pressure they bring to the contest and their tackle pressure and this will need to be to the fore on Saturday.
Unlike a lot of QAFL teams, the Pies have no fear of the Salk Oval and have recorded some of their most memorable victories at the ground in recent seasons.
Inform Tom Ielasi and David Lewis will be buoyed after being part of Queensland’s tough victory over the WAAFL last week and will form part of a strong defensive unit.
Jake de Winter, Charlie Pershouse and Jack Goodall provide the Pies forward targets with Pope, Murphy and Riley Easton all dangerous ground level pilferers up forward.
The midfield battles as always will be crucial and the consistent Drew Mitchell, Ben Jaenke-Cain, Gareth Crawford and Logan Murray will need tobe strong at the contest to ensure the Pies get a fair share of the stoppage football. The Pies will need quick movementinto attack to counter the Lions much vaunted leg speed.
Once again a crucial match for the Magpies in a season where there are few easy matches and if the Pies are to win then it will be a four quarter effort with no lapses in concentration permitted.
Western Magpies v Palm Beach-Currumbin at Palm Beach on Saturday, June 13th at 2 pm
B: Matt Davis (vc), Chris Hunt, Tom Ielasi
HB: Dom Misso, Harry Marshall, David Lewis
C: Lachie Dennis, Drew Mitchell ©, Luke Mitchell
HF: Jake de Winter, Charlie Pershouse , Billy Johnson
F: Joe Murphy, Jack Goodall, Val Pope
Rucks: Aaron Highlands, Gareth Crawford
Rover: Ben Jaenke-Cain
I/C: Logan Murray , Riley Easton, Aaron Maricic, Liam Dwyer