Westpoint Auto Colts Match Report
Andrew Thomson
STRONG WIN LIFTS COLTS INTO GRAND FINAL
The Western Magpies Colts bounced back hard on the weekend and put PBC to the sword at Labrador in the Preliminary Final. The young Magpies were far too good, running away with a 38 point win. It was a much tougher and committed performance by the boys, suffocating the Lions around the contest and running them off their legs on the counter-attack.
The back line was in fine form again on the weekend, holding the Lions at bay all game and keeping them goalless in the first quarter and restricting them to only one goal by halftime. Whitlam Bishop was outstanding at fullback and was ably supported by Ethan Sivijs, Tristan Dowdy, Cam Smith, Zac Stegmeyer and Sam Hartog. It was also a much-improved effort from the forward line this weekend with key forwards Hamish Campbell, Jordan Bonney and Jack Austin leading up at the footy all day and consistently providing a contest in the air. Jayden Johnson and Will Gillespie relished their new roles in the forward half this weekend, working hard all day to pressure the Lions defenders and lock the ball in the forward 50.
Finn Collison returned to the lineup and made an instant impact in the ruck, contesting hard in the middle and finding space on transition. The entire midfield group stepped up with Max Webber, Jacob Sheath, Caleb Franks and Chris Jenkins all playing quality games through the middle of the ground. Tough and hard around the contest, expect a big showing from this group in the Grand Final on Saturday.
With another game under their belts, the Colts will go into the Grand Final full of confidence that they can upset the highly fancied Morningside at Southport on Saturday morning. The boys will need to lift another gear, but with a much-needed hit out on Saturday are primed and raring to go in what should be a cracking match as the two top teams of 2017 battle it out for the Premiership Cup.
Western Magpies 3.3, 4.6, 8.10, 11.13 (79)
Palm Beach Currumbin 0.0, 1.1, 4.2, 6.5 (41)
Goal Kickers: H. Campbell 3, J. Bonney 2, J. Johnson 2, J. Austin, C. Franks, N. Resuggan, A. Haddad
Best Players: S. Hartog, E. Sivijs, C. Franks, W. Bishop, J. Sheath, M. Webber