Mack Truck Match Review - Pies take their chances
Andrew Thomson
The Magpies went down then highway on the weekend for a must win game against a dangerous Demons outfit on their home deck.
After strong recent form didn't produce the results desired, the Magpies were well aware of the importance of taking their opportunities and applying scoreboard pressure when they have control of the game.
This game saw the pies back to their best, a strong competitive first half where all played hard at every contest and raised the bar at each break. The mi field was back to its hard contested approach and was getting on top of each stoppage. A team first attitude was very clear throughout the game and it showed on the scoreboard.
The back six gave nothing away and were winning the battle shutting down the demons scoring options. Crackers Dillon showed his experience in his 2nd game back in the seniors with a strong performance on Demons danger man, Daniel Green who has kicked big numbers vs the Pies in recent seasons.
You had the feeling that the way the forwards were going they were could open the flood gates at any moment and break the game wide open. The hard work was done with a slender half time lead setting platform for a big 2nd half.
The third quarter started and sure enough the floodgates opend with Big Charlie Pershouse running them ragged, Brenton Saunders getting on the end of a few and Big Dom Beer imposing himself at the stoppages and ensuring the mids got the opportunity for first use, the mids were lead by Ben Jaenke-Cain having a day out.
The back six again held strong with Matt Dillon and Harry Marshall leading the way and with the rest of the backs shutting down the Demon forwards.
A 10 goal quarter was just rewards for the hard work all over the ground as the Magpie clicked into gear.
The last quarter saw Surfers try and get back into the game but again the team raised the bar and snuffed any Surfers thought of a come- back, an important step after almost coughing up a big lead in the earlier match in Toowoomba against the same opposition.
Kicking 15.2 in the 2nd half was certainly a welcome change, and showed the team what can be achieved when key chances are taken.
A great bounce back to form , and when you consider two players had to withdraw due to work commitments and the current list of players unavailable at the moment it was fantastic to see this team rise and play so well. The experienced heads lead the way, but special mention to Caleb Franks who was superb in his first senior outing.
Coach's Thoughts - Brydan Morgan
Hard to pick our best today, good to say we kicked well all day especially 10 goals 1 in the third . It was great to see our contested work was back on track along with our effort attitude and resilience. We had requested the team work hard and focus on the contest , effort and resilience this week as we felt we had been down last week.
We controlled the game and forced Surfers down the line and slowed their game forced them to kick to a contest.
A great day and a great team performance looking forward to seeing the same next week
2.4-16 4.8-32 6.11-479.11-65
3.3-215.8-3815.9-99 20.10-130
Western Magpies
Goal Kickers: B. Saunders 7, C. Pershouse 3, R. Easton 2, V. Pope 2, L. Dwyer 2, M. Davis, D. Mitchell, T. Ielasi, C. Franks
Best Players: B. Saunders, B. Jaenke-Cain, T. Ielasi, H. Marshall, C. Pershouse, M. Dillon