Sci Fleet Taringa - Ressies Preview

LAST ROLL OF THE DICE FOR PIES RESERVES

The Western MagpiesReserves have a last roll of the dice when they host third placed Surfers Paradise at Chelmer on Saturday. This will be the first of 3 big matches for the Black and Whites on a day which could define the Western Magpies season.

The Pies Reserves still have a faint chance of reaching the finals if they win and then hope Wilston Grange defeat Mt Gravatt. The beauty of this round is that Grange will also be hoping to sneak into the finals with a win and a Magpies defeat so all four teams have a huge amount to play for on Saturday and both contests will be honest affairs with nothing left in the tank.

Magpies coach Craig Allen will stress that his side must first concentrate on their own game and ensure they get the four points before worrying about what is happening at Mt Gravatt.

He welcomes back Richard Wenham and Ricky Dudley from injury, Aaron Maricic comes in from the Seniors to a wing, Blake McClennan returns after attending a wedding and Brent Walker and Sam Donovan come into the side after missing last week.

Out go Brady Allen and Sean Mewing to the Senior side, Gabe McKinnon is unavailable, Jake Heard and Stuart Hubbert are both injured and Matt Mazarolle drops back to the Colts semi final team.

Ruckman Dom Beer remains in the side and he will want a big game to prove his credentials for a Senior recall. Chris Devlin goes back to the centre and Blake McClennan will give the pies some midfield drive on his return.

Wenham and Dudley strengthen the backline and Wenham will give plenty of run and carry out of defence and he will also be keen to play well to push for a Senior recall.

The forward line went searching for their kicking boots during the week after butchering a golden opportunity last week with poor goal kicking. Jake Farrell was the best of them last week and Todd Billing has been good for the latter half of the year up forward.

It is pretty 'Black & White' for the Pies this week --win and you never know what may happen, lose and its curtains. A big effort from the Pies may just see them sneak into the five at the right time of the year--they have not been in the five since round 2.

Western Magpies Reserves v Surfers Paradise at Chelmer on Saturday, August 20th at 11.30 am

B: R Dudley L De Nys H Heath

HB: R Wenham R Bridge S McEvoy

C:  A Maricic C Devlin M Green

HF:  B Johnson L Dwyer (R) J Farrell

F:   M Hockley T Billing J Burton

Rucks:  D Beer J Murphy B McClennan

I/C : S TaylorHubbert, B Walker, G Gibb