Doug Lawrence - Round 1 Rising Star Nominee

From AFLQ - Credit Byron Parish

Magpie ace, Douglas Lawrence, claimed the Round 1 Rising Star nomination after a dominant display in defense on Saturday.

Lawrence held Morningside Centre Half Forward Ryan Johnson to just 2 goals while also providing some much needed grunt in the Magpies back six.

“It was a good contest, I’d played on him in a practice match and I think I got the better of him this time”, said Lawrence.

After a tough two point loss to the reigning premiers, the Magpies can already see a massive improvement and Lawrence believes this has come from the team’s new philosophy of defend first, then run.

“It’s been something I’ve really tried to work hard on (running), with some other blokes going down with injury”, said Lawrence.
“I had probably my best pre-season to date and I really worked hard on my running, decision making and skills.”

Lawrence’s improvement has also been noticed by his coach, Glenn Humphrey, who says his early success can be attributed to the hard work he put in over the break.

“He had a big pre-season and worked his arse off, he’s been training really well and has come into the season strong”, said Humphrey.

“He’s prepared to listen, learn and work hard for the team.

“The squad is working well together and Douglas is working hard in defense.

“He’s a big lump of a lad and I think he’ll have a really big year down in defense”.

What is more impressive about this young defender is how fresh he is to the game, just his third season since a long lay-off from football.

The former Kenmore Bears junior took some time off the game before deciding in 2013 that he’d push to play football again.

After a lot of hard work, he made his debut for the Magpies Seniors later that season against Wilston Grange as an 18 year-old.

Lawrence believes that his team can really push for finals success in 2015 saying that on their day the ‘Maggies’ can match it with anyone.

“We’re pretty optimistic that we can catch a few teams off guard and really push for the finals”, said Lawrence.

“We definitely want to make finals and there is no reason why we can’t go all the way”.

A professional beyond his years, Lawrence feels that there are some aspects of his game he’d like to improve before the end of the season.

“I just really want to stay consistent, and play well”, said Lawrence.

“If I can do that and beat my direct opponent, I think I’ll have a good year”.

FOOTY IS BACK! Magpies confident against reigning Premiers

The Western Magpies host 2014 undefeated premiers and Pre-season winners Morningside at home at Chelmer in Round 1 of QAFL on Saturday.

Morningside have been a powerhouse of QAFL footy for the past decade and a half and the Magpies will get an early appraisal of their improvement.

Coach Glenn Humphrey has been working hard with his group to fine tune a game plan which involves strong defensive structures with accurate foot and hand passing to maintain possession. Last year the ball was coughed up too easily with poor disposal and the likes of the Panthers will always make you pay for mistakes.

Morningside will still be strong but have lost some key playmakers in the off-season. The Magpies went down to the Panthers in the pre-season semi final  after a competitive first half before several injuries set them back. The pies midfield was more than competitive in that game which gives hope for a strong showing tomorrow.

The Magpies have picked a solid team despite 15  players unavailable due to injury. Unavailable players include gun recruit Luke Scott (ankle), half-forward Matt Garland (knee), key defender Chris Hunt (osteitis pubis), half back Sean Mewing (Achilles), midfielders Cory Hopkins ( back), Mitch Stallard (knee), Jake Heard (leg), Brodie Easton ( ankle) and Ben Hooper (knee).

Bill Pearce Medallist Ben Jaenke-Cain started the year the same as he finished in 2014 with plenty of possessions in the pre-season matches.  The midfield brigade will be lead by the returning and experienced Tim McEvoy, co-captains Lachlan Woods and  Callum Carseldine, returning  after a year off with injury,  and 2 speedsters in Queensland U18 representative Aaron Maricic and new player Sonny Aneet on the wings.  

Dom Beer has overcome a tight hamstring to return to the ruck and he will get support from Redlands listed youngster Liam Dwyer.

Doug Lawrence will hold down CHB in the absence of Chris Hunt and Hayden Thick is up there with the best fullbacks in the QAFL.   Sean McEvoy gets a deserved start in First grade and will provide a tall defensive option plus has good leg speed to be a rebounding defender.

Up forward Alex Dickfos returns after a year off and will be primed for a big season and with Matt Davis, Val Pope and Matt Thompson providing forward options the Pies will look to kick a competitive score.

There are four Redlands listed players in the team with only Jack Goodall returning from last year for this match.

The Magpies are under no illusions as to what awaits them tomorrow but will be primed for a big game against the nominal flag favourites.

Western Magpies team

B: Luke Mitchell, Hayden Thick, Sean Mcevoy

HB: Tyler Jones (R), Doug Lawrence, Jack Goodall (R)

C: Aaron Yusia-Maricic, Ben Jaenke-Cain, Sonny Aneet

HF: Tom Ielasi, Matt Davis, Val Pope

F: Matt Thompson, Alex Dickfos, Jack Williams (R)

R: Dom Beer, Tim McEvoy, Callum Carseldine (Co-Capt)

Int: Richard Wenham, Drew Mitchell, Lachlan Woods (Co-Capt), Liam Dwyer  (R)

Quentin Johnson Appointed Reserves Coach

QUENTIN JOHNSON RESERVES COACH

Quentin Johnson (Q) has been named Reserves (Development Squad) coach for this season after the Under 19s team could not be formed.  Quentin was originally named as Under 19 coach and  is a legend of Western Districts and also has been a coach at Western Magpies in the past.

The Western Magpies were unable to fill an Under 19 team this season  but this will be an aberration as the club has two Under 17 teams this season. The club is confident it will field a strong Under 19 team next season.

The QAFL changed the age groups this season in order to keep players playing but it appears to have backfired as several clubs cannot field under 19 teams and this season’s competition in all of SE Qld comprises 9 teams.

In the meantime the Western Magpies Reserves will still field a strong team despite unavailability of players and again will get a good idea of where they sit in the pecking order  against last season’s Reserves premiers Morningside.  

Magpies Show Promise in Pre-Season Victory

The Western Magpies had a solid 18 point victory over Mt Gravatt in round 1 of the QAFL pre-season competition played at Mt Gravatt on Saturday.

The Magpies won by 18 points, 13.5 83 to 9-11- 65.

Displaying a new style of football with improved spread at the contest and looking to handball at every opportunity to open up attacking lines, the Magpies appear to have adopted a game plan that will help them match the top sides this season.

The Magpies led by over 7 goals at one stage in the third quarter but allowed the Vultures to close the gap in the final quarter. 

Coach Glenn Humphrey was happy with the hit out but recognised both teams were no-where near full strength.

“Happy with the way the boys went through the processes today. We put together what we have worked on all on summer and did it well. I thought we used ball reasonably well considering it was the first match of the year." 

Reunion Meet and Greet!

QWAFA: Queensland Women's Amateur Football Association

Season Launch Family Fun Day

Blast from the Past

Welcome to “Blast from the Past”. Our aim is to cover off on past players, coaches and support staff of The Western Magpies from all over Australia and we trust that you find it interesting reading. This week we feature a former QAFL great, two time Premiership Assistant Coach and newly appointed Development Coach ,Quentin Johnson. Quincey was truly one of the most exciting players in the QAFL with Western Districts/West Brisbane during the 80s and 90s playing mostly as an inside midfielder with a thirst for goals. Quince was a highly decorated 4 time Senior Best and Fairest winner as well as the Courier Mail Player of the year that would quite often win games off his own boot whilst drawing heavy attention from the opposition. His career started in an extremely healthy period for the QAFL and he played alongside some of the greats of the area such as QAFL Hall of Famer Owen Backwell and Mark Gersakowski and against the likes of Craig Britain, Dean Warren and Zane Taylor. After retiring from top flight football he took up a player coach role at UQ Lions before coming to The Western Magpies as a Senior Assistant Coach. Quince had an instant impact at the club with a strong approach to fitness and youth development and implemented strategies that would see the club play in three Grand Finals for two premierships

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Name: Quentin Johnson
Details of Playing / Coaching Career: 

Playing:
84-86 Western Districts 
86 -87Bris Bears Development Squad, Geelong, 
87-88 Sunshine (VFA) 
89-97 West Brisbane (96 player, reserve grade & senior assistant coach)
98 Zillmere (player & assistant coach)
99-2003 UQ (Player Coach)

Coaching:
2005-2009 Western Magpies assistant coach
2006 S. E Bushrangers U16s Coach
2010 & 2011 State U18s assistant coach
2012 & 2013 NT Thunder assistant coach

Awards / Medals Received: 
Wests B&F 84, 86, 89, 91
Courier Mail B&F 86
Sunshine R.U B&F 88

Favourite Playing Position: 
Centre

Most Respected Opponents (in QLD):
Craig Britton, John Taylor

Best Player played with at the club: 
Wests: Owen Backwell

Biggest Character at the club:
??? So many

AFL Club I Follow: 
Western Bulldogs

Current Occupation: 
Personal Trainer / Strength & Conditioning Coach

Are you still involved in footy?
Yes

Where do you see local QAFL heading in the future? 
Hopefully back to its best like it was 15/20 years ago. But depends on all the clubs junior development?

Quentin Johnson was an exhilarating crowd favourite footballer who was renowned for his speed and foot skills (some say they played with him for 10 years without seeing him handball) he was a highly respected player both by his team mates and opposition. Having started his senior football journey with Wests he had brief stints at Geelong and the Brisbane Bears but injuries at crucial times robbed him of having a good run at AFL level. A successful season with the tough Sunshine Football Club in the VFA saw him finish runner up in the clubs Best and Fairest before returning to Wests to win his third for the QAFL club. He went on to captain West Brisbane winning the 1991 Best and Fairest along with representing the state numerous times. Quinces coaching career has been an expansive one with key roles at West Brisbane, UQ, Northern Eagles, NT Thunder and Western Magpies at senior level along with development roles with South East Bushrangers and Queensland 18s. When Quince isn’t at the footy he is busy with his two children Brianna and Billy (since joined The Western Magpies) as well as running his personal training and strength coaching business. You will often see him at the club helping developing new premiership heroes for the club as well as cheering on the Western Magpies seniors. When you do see him go up and say g’day and tell him you enjoyed his “Blast from the Past”

Club leadership group for Season 2015

We are pleased to announce the appointments of our Club leadership group for Season 2015

• Lachlan Woods and Callum Carsaldine have been reappointed as Co - Captians
• Tim McEvoy and Luke Scott have been appointed Vice Captains 
• Val Pope and Matt Davis have been appointed to the leadership group. 

Congratulations to all!!!

I think you would all agree that this group of men have deserved their appointment and have the respect within the playing group,coaching staff , board and also our supporters and I'm sure they will leave no stone unturned to ensure for an successful 2015 season at the Magpies.

Go the Magpies

We are pleased to announce our new sponsor-BodyKey chiropractic

BodyKey chiropractic has been servicing the Western Suburbs of Brisbane for over 15 years providing modern chiropractic care and rehabilitation exercise to care for family, friends and athletes wanting to regain pain free movement and stability.

Our primary purpose is to provide you with quality chiropractic health care and personal attention, so that you can enjoy the benefits of a healthy spine and nervous system throughout life. 

 We are pleased to offer all club members an initial consultation for $55 normally $90 and 10% off  subsequent chiropractic services.

Reunion Meet and Greet!

Tough Opening for Magpies in 2015

The Western Magpies will find out very quickly where they sit in the pecking order when they have the toughest opening two rounds of any club in the 2015 QAFL season as they host 2014 undefeated Premiers Morningside in Round 1 at Chelmer on Saturday, 11th Aprilthen follow up with runners-up Labrador, also at Chelmer, on Saturday, 18th April.

The Magpies then travel to 2014 finalists Broadbeach on Anzac Day and by the end of round 3 the Magpies will have a good idea whether they are in the finals mix. Acouple of victories in the first three rounds can set up the Magpies season.

The QAFL have scheduled 19 Sunday matches during the season but the Magpies will only play one Sunday fixture against UQ at UQ in round 9 on 21st June.

The Magpies then follow up in round 4 with a match against old rivals Wilston Grange at Grange on 2nd May  then play bitter rivals Palm Beach-Currumbin at Palm Beach in round 6 on 23rd May followed by traditional rivals from the old SQAFA days in Mt Gravatt at Chelmer in round 7 (Indigenous Round) on 30th May.

The 2015 QAFL draw for the Western Magpies is below (for full draw refer to AFLQ website):

11th April -- Rd 1 v Morningside at Chelmer 

18th April -- Rd 2 v Labrador at Chelmer 

25th April -- Rd 3 v Broadbeach at Broadbeach

2nd May  -- Rd 4 v Wilston Grange at Grange (split round) 

9th May   --bye

16th May -- Rd 5 v Surfers Paradise at Chelmer

23rd May -- Rd 6 v Palm Beach-Currumbin at Palm Beach 

30th May -- Rd 7 v Mt Gravatt at Chelmer(Indigenous Round) 

6th June  -- Bye--Representative weekend 

13th June - Rd 8 v Sandgate at Chelmer

21st June - Rd 9 v UQ at University (Sunday) 

27th June - Rd 10 v Morningside at Morningside

4th July  --  Rd 11 v Labrador at Labrador

11th July -  Rd 12 v Wilston Grange at Chelmer

18th July -  Rd 13 v Broadbeach at Chelmer

25th July -- general bye

1st August - Rd 14 v Surfers Paradise at Surfers Paradise

8th August - Rd 15 v Palm Beach-Currumbin at Chelmer

15th August v Rd 16 v Mt Gravatt at Mt Gravatt

22nd August v Rd 17 v Sandgate at Sandgate

29th August v  Rd 18 v UQ at Chelmer

5-6th September-- Elimination/Qualifying Finals

12-13th September--First/Second Semi Finals

19th September--Preliminary Final

26th September--Grand Final

NOTE: AFL Grand Final is on Saturday, October 3rd 

Good Friday-- 3rd April

Easter Sunday-- 5th April

Vale Glynn Stewart

Past Sherwood club President, long time Secretary and Life Member Glynn Stewart passed away at 85 years of age suddenly last week when visiting his son Leroy in Canberra.

Glynn and his wife Maureen were stalwarts of the club in the 1970s and 1980s,  with both made Life Members of the club --Glynn in 1975 and Maureen in 1978 (Maureen was President of the Ladies' Auxiliary for many years and also ran the canteen for years).

Glynn was Football Club Secretary for 10 years from 1970 to 1979 then was club President for 3 years from 1980-82.

During his tenure as Secretary and President of the club Sherwood won 9 First grade premierships,  several Reserves premierships and several Colts flags. Senior premierships were won in 1970 and  1973  then the long winning premiership sequence from 1975 to 1981. Glynn was Secretary when the clubrooms were built in 1972-73, was there in the Brisbane floods of 1974 when Chelmer Oval was inundated and also was involved in the establishment of the Social Club in 1974. 

He was President when Sherwood were finally admitted to the QAFL in 1982 for the 1983 season. 

He was highly respected in the broader football community and by the BJAFL in particular  as he ensured all correspondence and communications were dealt with in a timely manner.

Fellow Life Member and club legend Rob Vowles said Glynn was the best secretary a football club could have and he was testament to the old adage that to win flags you need a strong administration off the field and Sherwood had that in its golden era when Glynn was Secretary and President. 

Glynn and Maureen had three sons-- Leroy, Ross (Rocco) and Gregg--  and a daughter, Michelle. All three boys represented Sherwood with distinction with Leroy and Ross representing at Queensland Under 15  (Shell Cup) and Under 17 (Teal Cup) levels.

Ross was selected in the All-Australian Under 17 team in 1974,  then won the club First Grade B & F in 1977 and played in several First Grade premierships.

Gregg won 2 O'Callaghan Medals as the best junior footballer across all grades in the BJAFL and then played in 2 First Grade premierships (1981-82) and kicked over a 100 goals in the SQAFA in 1982.  

Ross continues the Stewart Family tradition of service to the Sherwood Football Club by being the club's Under 14 coach in 2014.

Glynn and his family was one of the reasons why the Sherwood Football Club has built such a great tradition since its inception in 1956.

Glynn's funeral is scheduled Thursday, December 18th at 11 am Centenary Gardens. 

Lighting Upgrade for Sherwood

Sherwood AFC President Chris Dennis has announced that there will be a lighting upgrade for the club’s main oval—Powenyenna Oval—that will bring the lighting up to a standard where QAFL matches can be played at night. With the club becoming stronger at junior and senior level and the addition of a womens’ team,  the ability to play night football  will relieve some pressure on the oval use on weekends. In addition the club’s affiliate The Woodsmen will again be able to play at home under lights as in 2014 they were required to play home games elsewhere. 

In addition the lights will be a great asset for training with players having excellent conditions to improve their skills.

The lighting has been partly funded by a grant of $91,803 from the Queensland Government Get Playingprogramme, which aims to assist local sporting organisations develop their facilities so that more Queenslanders can become involved in active participation in sport. 

The successful grant was advised to the club by State Member for Indooroopilly Scott Emerson MP  after he received advice from the Hon Steve Dickson MP, Minister for National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing that the grant application was successful.

Club President Chris Dennis developed and submitted the grant application, which does take significant time to put together. 

It is hoped the lighting upgrade will commence shortly so that they will be in operation by the start of the 2015 season.