Coopers Friday Night Footy - Woodies take on Morningside
Andrew Thomson
The Woodies will take on a strong Morningside outfit tonight in their first home game of 2017. New to the competition in 2016, Morningside have shown gradual improvement and will be a tough opponent for the Woodies who had a hard fought Round 1 win in tough conditions last week.
The Woodies have made 6 changes to their side this week, which may sound like ‘wholesale changes’ – but this is the norm in Friday night footy world!
Out of the side go Gerard Moore, Blake McClennan, Irish Sammy Banim, Tristan Mathews, Andrew Bell and Jay Muscat and the Woodies welcome back dual premiership Captain in Sean Toohey, lionheart ruckman Darcy McCewen, onballer Chris Davis, the small but tough David Schultz and evergreen defender Chris ‘the stink’ La Burniy.
In addition, the Woodies will have another debutant to add to the 5 from last week in Jordan Walsh from Adelaide – welcome Walshy!
The Woodies will miss the big target of Gerard Moore across centre half forward, after he took plenty of telling grabs early last week before fading out of the game as the conditions became worse and he was often double or triple teamed, however the ever enthusiastic Sammy Long will be a great replacement across half forward with the old legs still able to get him airborne for some quality grabs!
The full forward line resembles a retirement village with a combined age of well over 100, but with it comes experience and footy smarts from the likes of the coach Chris Mihalopoulous, the returning Sean Toohey and big man Andrew Thomson going deep forward after shouldering the ruck duties in Round 1 and coming face to face with football mortality in punishing conditions!
The defensive unit, long the jewel in the Woodsmen crown again looks like an impenetrable fortress with the superstar Tim Green patrolling the arc at Centre Half Back, with quality lieutenants at his side in ‘Noodles’ McEvoy on one flank and Blake Barkley (fresh from a standout round 1 performance) on the other flank. Noodles will again be looking to pull the trigger into the corridor with his lethal left foot, though last week a few teammates were left wondering if he should perhaps try the right foot more often…?
The last line of defence includes the rejuvenated Paul Eaton, with his superb closing speed and booming clearing kicks alongside the experienced Dylan Mudge and ‘Stink’ La Burniy who will no doubt be looking to flex his muscle (both figuratively and literally…)
In the ruck will be returning Premiership ruckman Darcy McEwen (if his alarm goes off) and youngsters in Chris Davis & reigning B&F winner, Sam Curtis rounding out the on-ball division.
Games record holder Kiran Verma will again patrol one wing, while 2016 Rising Woody – Nick Masters will look to use his athleticism and beautiful skills to get the scoreboard moving. In the centre will be Lachie Woods who will be looking to build on his promising Woodies debut from Round 1.
Get down to the Nest tonight, enjoy a Coopers and something from the Woods Bar & Grill and watch the mighty Woodies take on Morningside in a Friday night Blockbuster!!!
Western Magpies (Woodsmen) vs Morningside – Fri April 21 @ 730pm
