Sci Fleet - Ressies Review
Andrew Thomson
RESERVES BACK IN FINALS HUNT
The Western Magpies Reserves had a strong win over Wilston Grange on Saturday and the 40 point victory puts them back in the finals race.
Like the Seniors, the Reserves had a dominant 5 goals to one behind third quarter which enabled them to establish a winning lead after a tight first half to have a comfortable win, 12.15-87 to 7.5-47.
The win sees them outside the five by 4 points and percentage and in reality the top four are well clear and there is now a three way fight for only one finals place between Mt Gravatt, Broadbeach and the Pies.
Coach Craig Allen was pleased with his team's pressure and praised his back line which was solid and created opportunities for attack by being prepared to switch the ball to open up play.
Gabe McKinnon had a good game as the back line organiser and Rhys Bridge again took many intercept marks to push his case for a Senior recall.
Charlie Pershouse and young half forward Josh Burton set the scene with strong first quarters and Pershouse showed he had already learnt a few things after his first senior game last week.
Under 19 players in Aaron Highland and Ryan Vagne enjoyed their taste of senior football and were good players and another 2 youngsters in Lachie Dennis and Billy Johnson were busy players on the wings and rover Blake McClennan constantly drove the Pies forward from the midfield contests.
Young recruits from the Darling Downs in ruckmen Geoff Gibb and Brent Walker were good around ground to continue their development as players.
The Pies now have their destiny in their hands and need to win against one of the better sides in the next few weeks to push toward the finals. They will be favourites against Sandgate at Chelmer on Saturday but cannot rest on their laurels.
Western Magpies 3.6 - 24 | 5.9 - 39 | 10.13 - 73 | 12.15 - 87
defeated
Wilston Grange 2.2 - 14 | 5.3 - 33 | 5.4 - 34 | 7.5 - 47
Best: McClennan, McKinnon, Gibb, Walker, Johnson, Dennis
Goals: Johnson, Heard 2, Taylor, Pershouse, Heath, Burton, Hockley, Vagne, Devlin, Farrell