PLACE PREVIEW ROUND 1 - PIES TAKE ON VULTURES IN TRADITIONAL RIVALRY
Andrew Thomson
The Western Magpies have included eight new recruits for their QAFL Anzac Round 1 clash with old rivals Mt Gravatt at Mt Gravatt on Saturday. Plenty of them are familiar faces, as either former senior players, or club juniors make up most of the fresh recruits returning to McCarthy Homes Oval for 2018, but also some handy new faces as well.
Key inclusions are ex-AFL players Ryan Harwood and Anthony Corrie, fullback Dylan Adkins, centre half back Doug Lawrence, winger Luca Winton, promising youngster Jack Austin for his senior debut, defender Luca Mason and small forward Kale Reed.
Unavailable due to International Rules commitments with New Zealand is exciting midfielder Jonothan Macanawai and also out from the Pies’ last practice match hitout are key forward Jake de Winter, CHB Jack Goodall back to Redlands, and small defenders Rory Johnson and Sam Hartog.
But a look at the Pies’ Reserves team will see the Magpies have plenty of depth this season.
Ex-Pie Doug Lawrence comes back from Aspley after an injury interrupted pre-season and is a straight swap for Goodall and will be supported by Dylan Adkins at fullback, the reliable Harry Marshall in the back pocket and half back sweeper David Lewis, who looks back to his best form.
Aaron Highlands will shoulder the ruck duties again and the Pies midfield rotations will be strengthened this year with the inclusion of Harwood. Luca Winton injects pace in the midfield and thorugh half back and Lachie Dennis looks stronger this season and adds bite to the midfield.
Up forward Anthony Corrie slots into full forward with 17 year old Jack Austin the tall option and Liam Dwyer a mobile big man at centre half forward. Brenton Saunders, Kale Reed and Riley Easton will provide the ground level options at the feet of the big men.
The Magpies look a physically stronger team this year and with the inclusion of the tall Adkins and AFL experienced Corrie and Harwood will be confident of opening the season against a strong looking Mt Gravatt outfit.
QAFL Round 1: Western Magpies v Mt Gravatt at Mt Gravatt on Saturday, April 21st at 2 pm.
B: Harry Marshall Dylan Adkins Luke Mitchell
HB: David Lewis(vc) Doug Lawrence Matt Davis
C: Luca Winton Ben Jaenke-Cain Lachlan Dennis
HF: Ryan Harwood Liam Dwyer Drew Mitchell (Capt)
F: Riley Easton Anthony Corrie (vc) Jack Austin
Ruck: Aaron Highlands
Tom Ielasi
Rover: Brenton Saunders
I/C from: Luca Mason, Gareth Crawford, Will Fletcher, Kale Reed