Anytimes Fitness - Colts Review
Andrew Thomson
COLTS START WITH SOLID WIN
The Western Magpies Colts started the season off in fine fashion on Saturday with a comfortable win over Mt Gravatt. The Pies ran out 8 goal winners over the Vultures, who have traditionally produced a strong Colts team. The Pies won 12.4-76 to 4.6-30.
The game was tight early as both teams struggled to find to consistency and continuity in the first match of the year. As expected nerves, indecision and skill errors would be the theme of the first half as the Magpies boys endeavoured to implement their game plan under real match pressure for the first time in 2017.
After half time, midfielders Max Webber and Josh Commons really lifted their work rate in the middle providing our outside runners like Dan Edwards and Saxon Pobjoy the opportunity to utilise their run and skill. Key forwards Jacob Sheath and Jordan Bonney also worked their way into the game and provided a consistent contest across half forward, leading up hard and crashing packs when necessary. This was coupled with excellent forward pressure from the likes of Zac Stegemeyer and Abdullah Haddad.
As the game settled, so did the back six which saw a far more organised and structured effort in the third and fourth quarters. Key backs Ethan Sivijs, Hamish Campbell and Whitlam Bishop kept their men under control allowing runners Sam Hartog and Tristan Dowdy to set up numerous forays forward. A real team effort, it was great to see newcomers Daniel Grandy and Tom Slatter playing patches of quality football across half forward and the wing.
The challenge now for the Colts is to continue this form into next week. One of the pitfalls for young teams can be consistency across four 4 quarters but if this group can continue to get to the ball first, maintain strong defensive pressure and develop their attacking game style they should be a difficult team to beat.
A really pleasing start to the year and now the Pies get ready for the difficult task against Sandgate at Sandgate next week.
Western Magpies 12.4 - 76 defeated Mt Gravatt 4.0 - 24
Best: Sheath, Hartog, Commons, Bonney, Webber, Campbell
Goals: Bonney, Sheath 3, Edwards 2, Johnson, Webber, Stegmeyer, Haddad 1