DEJA VU FOR MAGPIES

It was a case of "deja vu" for the Western Magpies as they suffered their second large defeat to undefeated ladder leaders Labrador Tigers  on Sunday going down by 90 points, 20.13 - 133 to 6.7 - 43.

The Tigers are certainly the stand out side in the QAFL this year as they weathered a frenetic first quarter from the Pies to take control of the match in the second quarter then run over a tiring black and white team in the second half.

Before a good crowd at Labrador the Magpies were on top early in a high quality first quarter to lead by 17 points at quarter time. 

The Tigers hit back quickly in the second quarter with three quick goals and then in an arm wrestle for the remainder of the quarter, managed a 2 goal lead going into half time.

The Magpies had controlled the stoppages early and were getting first use of the footy from the ruck contests but the home side lifted and with growing confidence and several speedsters providing outside run were able to get back into the contest.

Doug Lawrence had the better of 200+ cm ex-AFL big man Josh Fraser for a quarter and a half but as the home side gained control and pumped the football forward the height and size of Fraser proved to be too big an obstacle for Lawrence to overcome. Fraser ended up with 10 goals and it is the first time this season that Lawrence has lowered his colours.

The Tigers completely dominated the second half, kicking 14 goals to one against the Pies who tired noticeably, possibly as a result of a tough contest the week before (Morningside also stopped in the last quarter on Saturday). Labrador controlled the football well when in possession and had more run in the second half than the Magpies. 

The half back line of Luke Scott, Matt Davis and Chris Hunt were under the pump often but worked tirelessly to repel the Tiger advances, especially in the second half. Scott was impressive with numerous intercept marks and Hunt had plenty of run out of defence.

Hayden Thick won the hit outs to nullify the Labrador big men and Val Pope kept running hard in midfield all match before being felled with an elbow after kicking the ball late in the game.

Matt Hockley in his first senior match this year across half forward kept presenting all match and Luke Mitchell also worked hard mopping up in defence. 

The Magpies now slip to fourth on the ladder on percentage and will need to lick their wounds and pride before bouncing back in a crucial match at home next Sunday against third placed Wilston Grange.  This is a virtual 8 point match as the winner will be a front runner for a top three finish on the ladder.

Glenn Humphrey – Senior Coach

“We lost control at the stoppages after quarter time, and once they get it on the outside and get running they are pretty hard to shut down.

“In the first quarter we just controlled the stoppages and controlled the football, if we have the control of the football they can’t use it and they can’t get out and run and spread. We did that well early but we fell off the boil after that.

“We have just got to learn to sustain it for a lot longer periods, that’s all.”

Western Magpies     4.2 - 26 | 5.2 - 32 | 6.6 - 42 | 6.7 - 43

defeated by

Labrador Tigers       1.3 - 9 | 6.8 - 44 | 12.8 - 80 | 20.13 - 133

Best: C.Hunt, M.Davis, L.Scott, M.Hockley, H.Thick, V.Pope

Goals: S.Copland 2, D.Mitchell, A.Dickfos, L.Mitchell, B.Easton 1