24 Fit - Ressies Preview
Andrew Thomson
The Western Magpies Reserves aim to keep their finals hopes alive when they host Sandgate on Saturday.
The Pies currently occupy sixth place on the ladder but must keep winning if they are to remain in the finals hunt. Sandgate have struggled this season but in their first clash the match was in the balance until the final quarter and the Magpies are well aware of the up and down nature of this competition.
The Pies welcome back key defender / ruckman Nick Barling anddefender Ricky Dudley from injury and youngsters Connor Green and Liam Reynolds come up from the Colts to get a taste of senior football.
The Pies are still missing key defender Sean McEvoy and half back Jae Humphrey with injury and out of the side are Jake Heard and Rhys Bridge, promoted to the Seniors, with Joel Workman and young Colt Aaron Highlands injured and Billy Johnson back to the Colts. Workman will be missed as he has had a consistent season to date.
The Pies forwards in Charlie Pershouse, Matt Hockley and Todd Billing should get enough opportunities to boot a winning score and young half forward Josh Burton had his best game for the Pies last week.
The consistent Chris Devlin in midfield has been a workhorse all season and with Blake McClennan have been prolific ball winners in recent matches.
The experienced Dudley is a welcome inclusion in defence to support Gabe McKinnon, another 2006 premiership player, who has enjoyed a couple of strong games recently.
The Magpies should win this match but again any complacency will be punished. They are on a knife edge every match now and cannot afford to let this one slip.
Western Magpies Reserves v Sandgate at Chelmer on Saturday, July 9th at 11.30 am
B: H HeathG McKinnon R Dudley
HB: S Donovan N Barling J Page
C: L Dennis C Devlin M Mazarolle
HF: L Reynolds C. PershouseJ Farrell
F: M Hockley T. BillingJ Burton
Rucks: G. Gibb, S Taylor B McClennan
I/C : R Vagne, B. Walker C Green, one to be named