MAGPIES VS GORILLAS ON SUNDAY - A CLASSIC 8 POINT GAME
Andrew Thomson
This week the fourth placed Magpies take on the third placed Wilston Grange Gorillas at Chelmer on Sunday in a match that has the potential to play a major role in the relative fortunes of both clubs. Each team is well placed to play finals football after missing finals action in the 2014 QAFL. Where they may finish in the final five is still in dispute with 2nd and 3rd place (and the double chance) a three way shoot out between the Magpies, Mornningside and Grange.
The Pies have a 7-3 record, while Grange are 8-2. However the Pies have already encountered the rampaging Labrador Tigers twice, as well as last years undefeated Premiers twice. With this in mind, playing the Gorillas twice over the next three weeks will be crucial in shaping the fortunes of the Pies for the year, with percentage also likely to play an important role.
The form of both the Pies and Gorillas looks very similar, with little separating the sides on paper, both with recent convincing wins over Morningside in consecutive weeks.
The Magpies have had a light week on the track with several players pulling up sore after two consecutive heavily contested matches, but will be hoping to bounce back at home this week in front of an expected large home crowd on Sunday. Grange also had a tough hit out last week in the strong win over the Panthers.
The Magpies 2015 season has been largely built on home grown talent with augers well for the future of the club in future years of the QAFL, especially with the Sherwood Magpies Div 1 U/17 side currently sitting undefeated and a number of young stars already performing well in the seniors. The neighbouring western suburbs team (a combined Kenmore/Jindalee outfit) is also fifth on the Division 1 table, which bodes well for the future of the Western Magpies as the sole representative from the west of Brisbane in the QAFL.
All local supporters with an affiliation for the Western Magpies, Sherwood or the former Western Districts outfit are encouraged to come down to Chelmer on Sunday to enjoy a high standard QAFL contest between two of Brisbane's traditional clubs and great rivals over many years.