Round 4 - OLD FASHIONED WET WEATHER SLOG VS OLD RIVALS

The Western Magpies will be looking to get back to back wins when they clash with old rivals Wilston Grange at Stafford in Round 4 of the QAFL on Saturday.

With 3 days of wet weather leading into the match a tough wet weather slog will be the order of the day. 

The Gorillas have been one of the busiest clubs in the QAFL recruiting stakes in the summer and are tipped to be one of the league's big improvers this season and with a 2-1 record and an honourable loss to Morningside will start favourites in this clash.

However, the Pies will be buoyed by their come from behind victory last week over Broadbeach and are developing a belief that they belong at the top end of the ladder this season.

The Pies have made one change with Sam Copland unavailable (exams) and Redlands based Jack Goodall returning to the side

In wet conditions, common sense footy and attention to basic skills are vital. It is the hard nuts that come to the fore in the wet and the Pies have Co-Captains Lachlan Woods and Callum Carseldine as well as Tim McEvoy and Richard Wenham prepared to throw their bodies on the line to win the hard ball. This will be complemented by the class of Val Pope and Luke Scott to give the Pies forward impetus. 

Wenham played his best match for some time last week and Drew Mitchell was also good running out of defence.

When Dom Beer is first to get his hands on the footy in the ruck the Pies have been on top and in the past he and the Gorillas big man Jim McMahon have had torrid battles--whoever gets the points in this crucial battle of the big men will go a long way to helping their team to victory.

In defence the Pies key defenders Hayden Thick and Doug Lawrence have both been consistent  and will need to be at their best to hold key forwards in Gorilla coach Matt Trewhella and Declan Bevan.

Young speedsters Aaron Maricic and Monok "Sonny" Aneet were sensational last week on the wings and their pace can break the lines to give the Pies forwards scoring opportunities.

Alex Dickfos is getting to the contest at full forward and will need to hold his marks in slippery conditions to make the most of his opportunities. Pope and Matt Thompson provide the small forward goalscoring for the Pies.

A win can set the Magpies up for the next few weeks - expect a fierce and tough old fashioned wet weather contest.

Western Magpies vs Wilston Grange Gorillas - @ PBI Oval 2pm Sat May 2

B: Drew Mitchell - Hayden Thick - Sean McEvoy

HB: Jake Goodall (R) - Doug Lawrence - Luke Scott

C: Aaron Maricic - Ben Jeanke-Cain - Monok Aneet

HF: Tom Ielasi - Matt Davis - Val Pope

F: Matt Thompson - Alex Dickfos - Joel Workman

Foll: Dom Beer - Lachlan Woods (c) - Callum Carseldine (c)

Int: Richard Wenham - Tim McEvoy - Liam Dwyer (R) - Brady Allen