Place Preview QAFL Round 8 - Key Inclusions Bolster Pies for Sir Doug Nicholls Round

The Western Magpies have made several key inclusions for their crucial QAFL Round 8 clash against Morningside at McCarthy Homes Oval, Chelmer on Sunday. 

In the QAFL Sir Doug Nicholls Round (Indigenous Round) the Pies welcome back key playmakers Claye Beams, Riley Easton, Luke Mitchell and Ben Jaenke-Cain. Beams has yet to hit his straps as yet but after an early season thigh injury restricted his mobility he has returned to full fitness and is ready to put his stamp on a big game for the Pies.

Easton will lift the midfield intensity and Mitchell impressed with his clean ball skills a fortnight ago after missing 7 weeks with injury then out last week with work commitments. 

Out are Samson Ryan who joins the Allies for the Australian Under 18 Championships and Jesse Hampel, Rory Johnson and Harry Marshall to the Reserves after all did well in their Senior stints. 

Brody Lumber will be better for the run last week after missing for 3 weeks and is finally settled into Brisbane and training regularly, which will only help his form. With Jack Austin and Jack Goodall in good form present a strong tall forward line which should trouble the Morningside defence. Drew Mitchell returned to form in the past 2 matches and Gareth Crawford was again a workhorse in the middle of the ground and will be called on again to win the contested ball. 

Aaron Highlands has been selected at CHB but could also shift forward if needed and Beams off a back flank could be a key launching pad for the Pies. Luca Winton does not play a bad game and Riley Greene has been a consistent performer and shows maturity beyond his 17 years. 

This is a crucial match for the Pies as they will want to stay in touch with the double chance and be in a position to push for a top two finish when they get back to full strength in the latter half of the season

 QAFL Round 8: Western Magpies v Morningside at McCarthy Homes Oval, Chelmer on Sunday,  May 26th at 2.00 pm 

B: Jayden Gallagher Luca Winton  Riley Greene

HB:  Claye Beams Aaron Highlands  Brenton Saunders

C: Macauley Lonergan Drew Mitchell  Dan Edwards

HF:  Lachie Dennis Brody Lumber Kale Reed 

F: Luke Mitchell Jack Goodall (Capt) Jack Austin

Rucks:  Liam Dwyer

             Will Fletcher

Rover:   Riley Easton

Int: Gareth Crawford, Ethan Sivijs, Ben Jaenke-Cain, Cade Scott