Kaplan - Reserves Round 19 Match Preview
Andrew Thomson
RESERVES KEEN TO FINISH ON A HIGH
The Western Magpies Reserves will be keen to finish the season on a high when they talk on the first placed Surfers Paradise in QAFL Round 19 action at Surfers Paradise on Saturday.
The Pies lose three good players to the Seniors in Ben Jaenke-Cain, Macaulaey Lonergan and Lachie Dennis while Harrison Kerr and Hamish Campbell are both out injured. This gives the opportunity for Mitchell O'Dea and Harrison Radcliffe and both were good players early in the season before missing through injury. Matt Mazerolle comes in after a trip overseas and he will add marking power to the forward line while Finn Collison also adds marking power up forward. Brady Allen also missed last week with a niggle and this week he has been selected at full forward while Zac Collison returns to boost the half back line after also missing with a niggle last week.
Coach Kiran Verma will be hoping his team can lift for the final game in what has largely been a disappointing season for the Reserves.
However, in their defence they have been chopped and changed all season with 8-10 changes from week to week in some games and a further 6 changes for this match.
Sam Hartog has been excellent on a wing in recent matches and Jayden Gallagher, Rory Johnson and Joel Workman have also enjoyed good form recently.
With a forward line comprising Allen, Jack Austin, Jesse Hampel and Jordan Bonney the pies have plenty of options--they just need to get the ball down there as quick and as often as possible.
The Magpies will be up for the challenge and several players on the fringe of Senior selection will be keen to play well to stay in the selection mix should the Seniors play finals.
QAFL Round 19: Western Magpies Reserves v Surfers Paradise at Surfers Paradise on Saturday, August 17th at 11.30 am
B: Aiden D'Roza Sean McEvoy Chris Jenkins
HB: Zac Collison Harry Marshall Peter Kilroy
C: Sam Hartog Jayden Gallagher Zane Lovell
HF: Finn Collison Jesse Hampel Deng Arok
F: Jack Austin Brady Allen Jordan Bonney
Rucks: Monty Vine
Joel Workman
Rover: Rory Johnson
I/C: Isaac Bongaarts, Matt Mazarolle, Mitchell O'Dea, Harrison Radcliffe