Coopers - Woodsmen Round 11 Match Preview
Andrew Thomson
The Woodies take on Morningside in a 4:45pm 'blockbuster' at McCarthy Homes Oval this Saturday night, but despite the occasion they will have to do it without a raft of key player as the switch to a Saturday game possibly backfired on the boys as a long list of players declared themselves unavailable during the week.
Despite this, the Woodies are showing particularly strong depth this year and will still field a strong looking lineup.
A very different looking side took on Morningside back in Round 1 and snuck home for a 5 point victory, and while the Woodies sit in 2nd spot on % and the Panthers sit in 6th places with 4 wins and 5 losses - its an even competition this year as the Round 1 result certainly showed.
Down back the Woodies look particularly strong as usual with chris La Burniy, Jamie Page and Josh Young on the full-back line, while Nick Kelly, Scotty Matthews and the 'Minister of Defence' himself, David Jackson will patrol the half back line.
On the wings the Woodies will have a mixture of speed, youth and experience with Thomas on one wing and 'Special K' on the other, while ball magnet and clearance machine Chris Judson will be in his customary spot in the centre.
On the half forwardline the Magpies will be potent with Matt Hockley in hot form with 30+ goals in his last 6 matches at Centre Half Forward. The flanks will be filled by the consistent Chris Davis and the hard working Tommy Roderick, who are both likely to have spells on the ball as well.
Deep forward is Jason Evans coming out the square with his hard leading and strong hands, while Chris Mihalopoulos will again be looking to regain some form in the pocket after a very lean year. In the other pocket is the livewire 'Irish' Sammy Banim who can find the goals from anywhere and has a wicked turn of speed - certainly one to watch!
The on-ball division will be lead by Andrew Thomson in the ruck, and with regular onballers in Curtis, Lloyd, Hocking etc all unavailable, Kurt Vine in his Woodies debut will start on the middle with Woodies regular Ben Ness who has been in solid form in recent weeks.
A well balanced bench compliments the starting side with Matty Prior offering defensive respite and Mitch Merritt a small forward option who can pinch hit in the middle. Dylan Mudge is the ultimate utility who can lock down on the right attacking opponent or push forward with his clean skills and footy nous to cause headaches for the opposition, while Adam Pedler will give Thomson a welcome chopout in the ruck and also offers a tall option in defence.
It should be a cracking evening of footy and Magpie fans are encouraged to stick around after the QAFL Seniors match to support the boys.
Woodsmen vs Morningside - 4:45pm @ McCarthy Homes Oval Sat June 23
B: Stink – Pagey – Josh
HB: Jacko – Burnsy – Nick
C: BT – Juddo – K
HF: Tommy – Hocks – ChrisD
F: Mika – Evo – Irish
Foll: Thommo – KVine – Nessy
INT: MP – Mitchy – Mudge – Adam
Emergency: Brendon - Dobbo