Genuine Garage Door Solutions - Reserves Preview

CRUNCH TIME FOR PIES RESERVES

It is crunch time for the Western Magpies Reserves as they meet a strong Broadbeach team which has only 2 losses this season, one of them to the Pies earlier in the year. 

The Pies look stronger than in recent weeks with Aaron Maricic, Logan Murray and Jack Austin dropping back from the Seniors and regular Redlands NEAFL player Matt Thomson returning after an injury stint. Also in to boost the backline is Kurt Vine, who missed last week with work but managed a run with the Woodsmen.

Out is key forward Gerard Moore with work and small forward Sam Parker misses with injury.  

There is plenty of senior experience mixed with a crop of youngsters in this side and with a number of players pushing for senior selection the Pies will be keen to return to the winners list and get their season back on track.

Chris Hunt at CHB has been in fine form and Harry Marshall at fullback started to regain form last week. Maricic, Murray and Austin were squeezed out of the Seniors and will be  keen to put their stamp on the match and Thomson is a legend at Redlands and adds some class to the side. Lachie Dennis had a good outing last week and will be looking to repeat, an if he gets support from skipper Sean Mewing, the ageless Peter Kilroy and nippy rover Rory Johnson, who will be better for the run last week, the Pies can return to the winners list and start a surge towards a finals appearance.

QAFL Round 11: Western Magpies Reserves v Broadbeach at Broadbeach on Saturday June 30th  at 11.30 am. 
 

B:  Kurt Vine Harry Marshall Tristan Dowdy

HB: Zach Collison  Chris Hunt  Sean McEvoy (vc)

C: Sean Mewing (Capt) Lachie Dennis  Peter Kilroy

HF: Matt Mazarolle  Jeremy DeRooy Aaron Maricic

F:  Jack Austin  Monty Vine Sempatike Kwizera

foll: Nathan Congram Logan Murray Rory Johnson

I/C:   Sam DeNys, Sam Hartog, Ethan Sivijs, Matt Thomson (Redlands)

Anytime Fitness - Colts Preview

COLTS LOOK TO BOUNCE BACK

The Western Magpies Colts will be looking to bounce back to the winners circle when they take on the third placed Broadbeach on Saturday. In a two v three clash the stakes are pretty high with both teams and PBC all on 20 points so for the winner it gives them a real chance to finish the season in the top three and get the double chance.  

The Pies lose speedster Bruce Reville to Queensland under 17 duties where he joins Samson and Sean Ryan, both of whom were missed in last wek’s loss.

Coming in to the side to boost the forward line are Finn Collison who has benefitted from a stint in the Reserves and will provide a tall target up forward., and nippy half forward Abdullah Haddad to give the Pies another option up forwad.

Skipper Noah Resuggan moves onto the ball to provide some midfield spark and aide the consistent Jacob Sheath and Dan Edwards. Zane Lovell will also spend more time in the midfield rotations to try to give the Pies first use of the football.

The Pies have not put together a four quarter effort for some time, with one bad quarter costing them dearly in their two losses to PBC and Morningside.  The Pies can cement a top three position with a win but the Pies will be challenged and will need four consistent quarters to overcome a dangerous Broadbeach team.  

QAFL Round 10: Western Magpies Colts v Broadbeach at Broadbeach on Saturday, June 30th  at 9.30am

B:    Aiden D’Roza  Chris Moloney  Charlie Thorpe          

HB:  Chris Jenkins (vc)  Whitlam Bishop (vc)  Cooper Crowell

C:  Ritti Batilimoyo  Jacob Sheath  Dan Edwards  

HF:  Sam Mehari  Cameron Ferguson Abdullah Haddad

F:  Lachlan Pearson  Finn Collison Jayden Johnson

Foll: Harry KeenanZane Lovell  Noah Resuggan (Capt)  

I/C:  Ryan Cherry Jacob Aurich, Harrison Radcliffe Deng Arok

Gut Feelings VII - a weekly collection of thoughts from influential minds deep inside the nest

• Saturday’s match against Morningside was a tough affair and while low scoring was still an entertaining game of football. The Morningside coach commented it was their best win of the season in a high standard match with finals like intensity.
• The Pies big man stocks are taking a bit of a pounding recently with Aaron Highlands injured on Saturday when doing a great job in the ruck while giving away about 20cm in height to his opponents. Dylan Adkins, who has missed 5 weeks, will have a fitness test on Thursday and the Pies brains trust will be sweating on him coming through the test to bolster the Pies ruck division
•  The Pies Reserves put up a better showing with a strong effort but were well beaten by a bigger and ultimately better team. CoachDdes Lashman was happy with the his teams’ effort but said it was small things that cost the team dearly with short kicks to a player under pressure, missed handball targets and fumbles the main culprits. While the ladder says the Pies are 8 points out of the five they have a game in hand over a couple of teams above them so are still in contention. However, they need to start winning some of the big matches if finals action is to remain a real possibility.
• The Pies Colts when down narrowly to a resurgent Morningside but missed the two Ryans, Samson and Sean. Ruckman Samson and rover Sean are in the Queensland Under 17 team which will play Tasmania this weekend at Arden St in Melbourne in the Futures Series then host NSW/ACT at Southport the following weekend and finish up against Victoria Metro at Ikon Park (Princes Park) at Carlton on August 12. 
• Sherwood premiership player, father of Drew and Luke and an acute observer of the game in Steve Mitchell made an interesting observation on Saturday.  He suggested that if a player gathers the ball in congestion then pulls it to his chest to take the tackle and thereby cause a stoppage, he should be penalised. Put simply, if a player pulls the ball in and makes no attempt e to get rid of the ball legitimately by hand or foot then pay a free kick for holding the ball
• "Great Clubmen" - Tom Roderick was mentioned in dispatches by Coaching Director Paul Grentell for putting his hand up and doing the water for both Seniors and Reserves then lining up for the Woodsmen in their win over Morningside on Saturday evening, capping a big day with the opening goal for the Pies in the match. Great effort from a young bloke who just loves being a part of the Pies family, and we love having him!
• Craig Barden, who played for the club in the early days of the Western Magpies in and around 2002-2008 and also coached the Colts in 2006 also did the water on Saturday. "Sounder" lives in Gippsland, Victoria and drives interstate transports and somehow makes sure his schedule takes him to Brisbane on weekends so he can come down and watch and help out his beloved Magpies
• The Magpies joint 1978 and 2008 Premiership Reunions will be held when the Magpies host Palm Beach-Currumbin at McCarthy Homes Oval at Chelmer on Saturday, July 21st. Both premierships were won in sensational fashion with the 1978 side having an upset 4 point victory over red hot favourites Mt Gravatt at Dittmer Park and the 2008 team coming from 45 points down to defeat red hot favourites Palm Beach-Currumbin at Broadbeach in a cracking Grand Final (do you see a pattern here?). No doubt the 2008 boys (and 1978 team) would like nothing better than see the current Magpies inflict a defeat on the Lions, the 2017 QAFL Premiers and currently undefeated  ladder leaders this year. It is shaping up as big day in more ways than one.!!
• Reserves ruckman Nathan Congram has played consistent football each week and has very clean handling skills. He also knows how to use his body but on Saturday he made contact with the opposing ruckman in a ball up which resulted in his opponent falling over as he did not expect contact. Congram thumped the ball 30 metres into space but was penalised for blocking. My goodness, free kicks for blokes who don't expect contact in a ruck contest in what is a contact sport...world officially going mad!!
• The Magpies will unveil their Indigenous Guernsey in next Sunday's big clash against Mt Gravatt. The Pies decided to wear the Guernsey which has been designed by indigenous players Anthony Corrie, Chris Hunt, Aaron Maricic and Logan Murray (with input from club stalwarts Dean Parkin and Wil Ivinson) to celebrate NAIDOC Week, which runs from July 8-15, rather than on the QAFL's Indigenous round played several weeks ago where the Magpies were away from home.
• Good to see Magpies ex-Assistant Coach and Woodsmen player Sam Long call in to the Nest on Saturday evening to catch up with a few mates and watch the Woodsmen in the night game. Sam is now the coach of Yeronga-South Brisbane in QFA Division One and the Devils are struggling a bit at the moment . Sam has started to play again such is the long injury list at the club but says he is still enjoying the challenge of being a senior coach.
• Not great news for Dual JB Medallist (Reserves B&F) Bryce Crossley when it was confirmed he had torn the ACL in his left knee.  He injured his knee over a month ago and returned to training 2 weeks ago where he re-injured the knee in an innocuous manner and scans revealed the extent of damage.  Bryce is the second Magpie to tear his ACL this year after Lucas Jackson in Round 2.
• Good to see a solid contingent of Morningside players and officials stick around at McCarthy Homes oval for a chat about the day and some post match beers to watch their fellow clubmen battle it out under lights.  Great atmosphere for the Woodsmen victory, and games like this should be fixtured more regularly!
• Well done to Dylan Mudge who played his 50th game for the Woodies.  'Mudgee' played Senior football for the Magpies as a teenager back in the early 2000's and its great to see guys like him still at the club having a kick

MCCARTHY HOMES MATCH REVIEW - INACCURATE PIES BLOW CHANCES

The Western Magpies will again rue missed chances in their 17 point loss to Morningside at McCarthy Homes Oval at Chelmer on Saturday. In a finals like atmosphere in front of a good home crowd, the match lived up to its billing as Match of the Day and was played with a finals like intensity.

The result hinged on who could take their chances and it was the Panthers who kicked straighter for goal and were also on the end of a couple of fortunate umpiring decisions. The Pies again were inaccurate in front of goal especially in the second quarter when they controlled the game but instead of going in to halftime with a four goal break only had a 10 point lead.   Importantly, its not 50/50 chances going begging, as key senior players missed 4 consecutive set shots from directly in front just 35m out or closer as the Pies fans were beginning to shut their eyes and hope as the Pies lined up for goal.

As is the Pies want of late they coughed up the lead quickly in the third quarter and were never able to get their noses back in front. Morningside won by 17 points, 11.9-75 to 7.16-58,  with a late goal on the siren rubbing salt into the Pies wounds. The Pies losses this year are 17, 18, 12 and 6 points and they have been in every match up to their eyeballs, with inaccuracy proving particularly costly in at least of those losses.

Morningside had a big height advantage in the game with two big ruckman and another key forward. The Pies struggled to contain the Panthers' bigmen and when Aaron Highlands, who had done a commendable job in ruck, was injured early in the third quarter and key forward Jake de Winter hobbling after a foot injury early in the match, the Pies were up against it.  

Stephen Mills again was superb for the second match in a row when  he contained Morningside's Kent Abey and was also good when moved forward in the last quarter to give a forward target as CHF Liam Dwyer was forced into the ruck on Highlands injury. Lacking big marking targets the Magpies were forced to play the short game and run the ball and at times this proved their downfall with some disposal errors costing them momentum.

In midfield skipper Drew Mitchell led by example at the coal face to continually win the hard ball and Ben Jaenke-Cain ran himself ragged to win plenty of the football all over the ground. Brady Allen has relished his return to senior football with another composed display at centre half back and had good support from the consistent Luca Winton and ever reliable David Lewis. Lachlan Woods was back to his usual bustling self with strong play in the clinches on his return to senior football for his first senior match since the 2016 Preliminary Final.

The loss drops the Pies into a bun fight for the last two places in the five but the top three prize can still be had as several key players will filter back into the side over the next few weeks. However the Pies big man stocks are dwindling and coach Brydan Morgan will sweat on whether ruckman Dylan Adkins and/or Highlands are passed fit for this weeks crucial match at Broadbeach.

Western Magpies 0.3 - 3 | 4.8 - 32 | 5.12 - 42 | 7.16 - 58

defeated by

Morningside Panthers 2.3 - 15 | 3.4 - 22 | 9.6 - 60 | 11.9 - 75

Best: Jeanke-Cain, Mills, Mitchell, Allen, Woods, Harwood

Goals: Harwood 2, R.Easton, Woods, Dwyer, Corrie, De Winter

Sci-Fleet - Reserves Match Review

PIES RESERVES DOWN DESPITE IMPROVED EFFORT S

The Western Magpies Reserves went down to a quality Morningside team but coach Des Lashman was pleased with his team's effort despite the loss. 

Morningside were cleaner with their ball use and had some big bodied and taller players that the young Pies found hard to counter, probably a factor of the Senior side having several outs thus moving the best of the Reserves into the main game this week.

The Pies were also wasteful at times with promising attacking moves coming unstuck with poor disposal or poor decision making. 

The Pies went down 14.5-89 to 6.6-36 but the final score did not reflect the closeness of the game. The Pies were in the contest for long periods and at times controlled play but could not apply scoreboard pressure and then the Panthers would make the most of scarce opportunities to goal.

The Magpies were their own worst enemy at times with poor decision making when kicking into the forward line and also tried to finesse too much and eventually would cough up the ball.

The loss magnifies last week's loss to Labrador as the Pies now fall 2 games outside the five and have a mountain of work to go to fight back into finals contention. 

Nathan Congram in ruck was again a workhorse and his strong marking and clean ball handling skills were a standout—only for work commitments preventing him doing full training he would surely be in contention for a senior call-up.

Chris Hunt was again solid with good reading of the play and strength at the contest at CHB amd fellow experienced Senior player Lachie Dennis did exactly as the coaches asked when he racked up 30+ disposals in a fine performance in the midfield.

Rory Johnson was busy on ball and across half forward in his first match back from injury and key defender Harry Marshall repelled many Morningside attacks and Peter Kilroy was also a fine player on the wing.

It is getting to crunch time for the Pies Reserves but they are one of two sides to defeat Broadbeach this season and there is no reason why they cannot repeat the dose on Saturday and get their season back on track.

Western Magpies 2.3 - 15 | 4.5 - 29 | 6.6 - 42 | 6.6 - 42

defeated by

Morningside Panthers 5.1 - 31 | 9.2 - 56 | 12.4 - 76 | 14.5 - 89

Best: Kilroy, Congram, Dennis, Hunt, Johnson, Marshall

Goals: Kwizera 2, Mazerolle 2, De Rooy, Parsons

Austral Plywoods - Colts Match Review

Colts suffers 2nd loss for 2018

The Western Magpies Colts were defeated in a high standard but tough contest against Morningside on Saturday.

Despite the 7.10-52 to 5.11-41 loss the Pies still hold second place on the ladder. 

After an even first quarter the Panthers skipped to a handy 2 goal lead by half time which basically proved the difference in the final analysis.

The Pies, like their senior counterparts were wasteful in front of goal with several easy misses proving costly and a lack of structure around the ball proved telling in the 2nd half as Morningside kept them at bay.

The Magpies were missing several key players but were still confident going into the match. 

Morningside were also better than their form line suggested as they were boosted with the return of some key players of their own.

Jacob Sheath was again a prolific ball winner in the centre and rover Dan Edwards also continued his good form to keep the Pies in the contest.

Defenders Charlie Thorpe and Aiden D’Roza worked hard to keep the Panthers out and Sean Ryan was also busy on ball or across half forward.

The Pies face another challenge at Broadbeach this Saturday with both sides on 20 points so this looms as an 8 point match.    

Western Magpies 2.2 - 14 | 3.4 - 22 | 3.8 - 26 | 5.11 - 41

defeated by

Morningside Panthers 2.2 - 14 | 5.4 - 34 | 6.7 - 43 | 7.10 - 52

Best: Sheath, Edwards, Thorpe, D'Roza, Sean Ryan

Goals: Mehari, Ferguson, Lovell, Edwards, Batilimoyo

Coopers Match Review - Woodsmen Round 11

The Woodsmen finished off what was a tough day at the office for the Magpies against Morningside after the Colts, Reserves and Seniors all suffered losses in quality earlier encounters.

Much like the Senior side before them, the Woodies came into the game with a raft of important players unavailable and it showed early with a lack of continuity, but the Woodies worked their way into the game against what appeared to be an also undermanned Morningside outfit who had just one fit player on the bench from early on in the game.

It was a fairly even first quarter with the Woodsmen holding onto a lead thanks to early goals from hard running Tom Roderick and some good finishing from Chris Davis and Matt Hockley.  However, it was a poor 2nd quarter showing as the Woodies were lazy and outworked by their younger opponents in front of a big home crowd., but the boys managed to hold onto their slender lead thanks to some trademark magic from Sam Banim.

the 3rd quarter opened up for the Woodsmen, but forward entries were messy and disjointed and skill level was down and it was anyones game going into the final quarter as the Woodies held a 14 point lead.  Morningside kicked the opening 2 goals to close the margin to less than a kick and memories of the fadeout against Zillmere when controlling the majority of the game started to flood back. 

In his 50th game, Dylan Mudge remained composed to push the ball forward for some repeat entries and the Woodsmen were able to regain the ascendancy and camp in the forward half for the remainder of the game to eventually run out 16 point winners.

The Woodsmen remain in 2nd place on % with 8 wins and 2 losses and head to Mayne next Friday night for what will be a tough encounter as the Tigers are fighting for their chance at finals football.

Woodsmen 9.10 - 64 defeated Morningisde 7.6 - 48

Best: Young, S.Matthews, Thomson, Ness, La Burniy, Davis

Goals: Hockley 3, Banim 2, Roderick, Davis, Mihalopoulous, K.Vine

PLACE PREVIEW - PIES TAKE ON PANTHERS IN 'MATCH OF THE DAY'

The Western Magpies face another challenge when they host Morningside in a big day of football at McCarthy Homes Oval at Chelmer on Saturday.

Morningside tipped the QAFL season on its head with a huge victory over the previously undefeated Mt Gravatt last week and now sit in sixth place, one win behind the fourth placed Pies.  While the win was probably not unexpected by close observers, the margin certainly was.

The Magpies welcome back Brodie Easton after being unavailable last week due to exams, Logan Murray in for his first senior game of 2018 after two solid return games in the Reserves and in exciting news, former Captain - Lachlan Woods returns to the senior side for the first time since 2016 after after a year off in 2017 and excellent reserves form early in 2018 set him up for Senior football before a 5 week injury intervention.  Woods will offer a hard edge to the Magpies side and exudes natural leadership.

Out are Billy Johnson back to Lions NEAFL duties, lively forward Kale Reed is unavailable and Lachie Dennis returns to the Reserves after a late call-up last week.

This is an old fashioned "Match of the Day'" with both teams in good form and only 4 points separating the teams on the ladder.

The Panthers have been somewhat of  an achilles heel for the Pies over the past few years with veteran key forward Kent Abey proving a handful and his likely opponent is Stephen Mills who did a great job on another big forward last week. Luca Winton and David Lewis have been superb in recent weeks and complement each other to deflect opposition attacks and will provide support for Mills. Brady Allen has also slotted into the key defensive role in recent weeks.

The visitors have had a few key players drift back into the side in the past few weeks and after a slow start to the season hit their straps last week.

The Magpies will need to be on song from the first bounce and play four quarters of football but they are a tough outfit as proved last week.

Jono Macanawai, Ryan Harwood and Drew Mitchell have been the grit in the midfield for the Pies and do a lot of unseen heavy work in the clinches and this has been an area of major improvement for the Pies this season. Aaron Maricic provides classy use of the football from a wing and Luke Mitchell has also been solid across half back.

Jake De Winter was kept goalless last week and he will be itching to make a mark --no pun intended-- on this match and Anthony Corrie will cop plenty of attention which may open up options for other goal scoring avenues. 

This shapes as a classic match and with a big day of football deserves to be played in front of a big home crowd at McCarthy Homes Oval.

QAFL Round 10: Western Magpies v Morningside at McCarthy Homes Oval, Chelmer on Saturday June 23rd at 2 pm.

B:  Will Fletcher   Luca Winton  Logan Murray

HB: David Lewis (vc) Stephen Mills  Brenton Saunders

C:  Luke Mitchell  Ben Jaenke-Cain Aaron Maricic

HF:  Jake De Winter  Aaron Highlands  Matthew Davis

F: Brady Allen  Anthony Corrie  Riley Easton

Foll:  Jack Austin Drew Mitchell (Capt) Ryan Harwood

I/C: Liam Dwyer, Jono Macanawai, Lachlan Woods, Brodie Easton

In: Lachlan Woods, Brodie Easton, Logan Murray

Out: Billy Johnson (Brisbane Lions NEAFL), Kale Reed (wedding), Lachie Dennis (Reserves)

Cross Fit Disposition - Reserves Round 10 Preview

PIES RESERVES NEED TO BOUNCE BACK

The Western Magpies Reserves have again experienced several changess for a must win match against the fourth placed Morningside at McCarthy Homes Oval at Chelmer on Saturday.

The Pies welcome back Rory Johnson from injury, Sean Mewing from illness and Lachie Dennis is back from the Seniors after a late call-up last week (Ironically to replace the ill Mewing!)

Logan Murray has been elevated to the Senior side and they lose Val Pope overseas again for work and also Gabe McKinnon and Kurt Vine with work commitments.

The Pies will miss Murray in the hustle and bustle department and the Pies midfield looks strong with Nathan Congram playing consistent football in the ruck and Sam DeNys another good player this season while Lachie Dennis will look to work on his game to earn a recall to the Senior side.

Chris Hunt and Zach Collison were good last week and with Mewing back into the side the half back line looks very solid. 

Up forward Gerard Moore and Jeremy DeRooy provide the big marking targets and Sam Parker, Rory Johnson and Sempatike Kwizera the ground level bustle.

Coach Des Lashman will expect his side to be ferocious at the contest from the first bounce after last weeks second half capitulation and the Pies need the win to get their season back on track against a team that will also be fighting for a finals berth.

QAFL Round 10: Western Magpies Reserves v Morningside at McCarthy Homes Oval, Chelmer on Saturday June 23rd  at 11.30 am.

B: Sam Hartog  Harry Marshall Tristan Dowdy

HB: Zach Collison  Chris Hunt  Sean Mewing (Capt)

C: Sean McEvoy (vc)  Lachie Dennis  Peter Kilroy

HF: Matt Mazarolle Gerard Moore  Finn Collison

F:  Sam Parker  Jeremy DeRooy  Sempatike Kwizera

Rucks: Nathan Congram Angus Wyllie  Sam DeNys

I/C:   Alec Parsons, Rory Johnson, Ethan Sivijs, Monty Vine  

Arabon - Colts Match Preview

COLTS LOOK TO CONSOLIDATE TOP SPOT

The Western Magpies Colts will start a big day of football proceedings against Morningside when they meet the 2017 QAFL Colts Premiers at McCarthy Homes Oval at Chelmer on Saturday morning.

If you are looking for some early morning footy action it is well worth a look to see the Pies Colts in action as they are playing an exciting brand of football and there are a few players with exceptional skills running around.

Morningside are in sixth position on the ladder which is uncharted territory for the usually very successful Panthers at this level and they have struggled this season.

The Magpies will start favourites but any laxity and the visitors will pounce as this would be one of the matches they will have penciled in for a big effort.

Led by midfield workhorse Jacob Sheath and with excitement machines in Bruce Reville, Sam Mehari, Chris Jenkins, Deng Arok and Sean Ryan,  the Pies have plenty of pace and skill in the midfield and across half forward.

Cameron Ferguson was on fire up forward last match with 5 goals and Jayden Johnson also knows how to find the goals so the Pies have some goalkicking options up front.

Down back Chris Moloney,  Aiden D’Roza and Whitlam Bishop have marshalled a strong defensive unit.

The Pies look strong all over the ground and will be keen to defeat their great rivals and consolidate in the top two on the ladder.

QAFL Round 10: Western Magpies Colts v Morningside at McCarthy Homes Oval, Chelmer on Saturday, June 23rd  at 9.30am

B:    Aiden D’Roza  Chris Moloney  Charlie Thorpe          

HB:  Chris Jenkins (vc)  Whitlam Bishop (vc)  Bruce Reville

C:  Ritti Batilimoyo  Jacob Sheath  Jacob Aurich  

HF:  Sean Ryan  Cameron Ferguson Zane Lovell

F:  Sam Mehari  Harrison Radcliffe  Noah Resuggan (Capt)  

Foll: Harry Keena Deng Arok  Dan Edwards  

I/C:   Jayden Johnson, Mitchell O’Dea, Tom Slatter,  Cooper Crowell

Coopers - Woodsmen Round 11 Match Preview

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

GUT FEELINGS VII - A WEEKLY COLLECTION OF THOUGHTS FROM INFLUENTIAL MINDS DEEP INSIDE THE NEST!

"Gut Feelings VII"

Some deep thoughts from deep in the nest!

• What a big weekend of footy at McCarthy Homes Oval at Chelmer this Saturday with 4 big games against Morningside, with the ladder topping Colts starting the day at 9.30 am followed at 11.30 am by a Reserves team expected to be bolstered by a few key inclusions and hopefully a determination to right the wrongs of last week. The Seniors clash at 2 pm in what is an old fashioned "Match of the Day"  and The Woodsmen aka the Western Magpies QFA team line up at 4:45 pm.

• The Magpies Seniors defeated Labrador and what a fighting win it was. The Pies were challenged several times but fought back and this time were able to emerge victorious in a tough encounter. Coach Brydan  Morgan was wrapped in the win which he described as a dour, arm-wrestle.
• The Pies were have been robbed of at least two, and possibly three goals on Saturday with Anthony Corrie kicking one from a tight angle on the boundary for the goal umpire to signal a behind, while De winter looked to slot one clearly through the big sticks from a 45* angle after taking a mark of the year contender--both players and teammates were celebrating and opposition players were heading fro the middle, a sure sign they had kicked truly!
• The final goal called a behind was a touched call against a Liam Dwyer goal which cleared the player on the mark by a metre but he clapped and the umpire was tricked into thinking it was touched. The Tiger players tried this trick a few times throughout the game and it finally played off in the final quarter. Luckily the Pies put this behind them and booted 2 quick goals to seal the match, but the filed umpire was clearly 'sucked in' by the tactic.
• Jake De Winter has taken another hanger and that is 2 so far this season that feature in "Mark of the Day" and watch this space because the exciting Magpie forward will take a few more speccies before the season is out.

• Not to be outdone, the old General - Anthony Corrie may have missed a couple of set shots, but banged home some crucial goals at important times, including this one winding back the clock to be nominated for Goal of the Week

• The Pies took most of the Syd Guildford votes with key defenders Stephen Mills 8, Brady Allen 6 and  Luca Winton 5 votes all leading the polling. The other vote getters were Billy Johnson and Kale Reed 2 each.
• 3 out of 4 for 2 weeks in a row ain't bad but the disappointing loss from last weekend was the Reserves who coughed up a 5 goal half time lead to go down by 2 points in a loss that could be costly at season's end. Coach Des Lashman was lost for words after the game and woe betide any player who does not give 100% this weekend.
• The Colts are equal top of the QAFL ladder with only one loss and if form is any guide the Pies look to be have the measure of Morningside but as everyone knows the Panthers have been great rivals to the Pies at junior and Colts levels over many years and will lift for this clash. The Pies Colts will need to be on their guard to match Morningside
• The Woodsmen returned to the winner's list last week and are currently second on the QFA ladder and should be too strong on paper for the sixth placed Morningside. A mix of experienced veterans led by coach and 3 time Senior premiership captain Chris Mihalopoulos with a number of young players provides a good mix for the Woodies.
• Mihalopoulos has played well over 300 matches for the Pies in Senior Football
• David “Barts” Bartlett is a fixture at Chelmer and does a power of work off the field to ensure the precinct at McCarthy Homes Oval is presented at its best each week.
• Barts is a Life Member of the club and continues to give his all to his beloved Pies. He has once again manned the hamburger stand and the famous 'Barts Burgers' are well known as the best in the QAFL!
• Bart’s offsider on the BBQ is Robert Hartley who also helps out at Sherwood junior matches where his grand-son Keaton plays in the Under 14s. Robert says he helps out at the seniors to ensure his grand-son still has a club he can progress to in Senior Football. And he must have been a handy footballer in his day, playing with Sturt in the SANFL and Sandy Bay in Tasmania FL.

NOTE: Barts informs us that Robert is unavailable this week so he is looking fior a few volunteers to help out thius saturday

• Magpies Football Director Paul Grentell commented  in the Sherwood Past Players Facebook page on the Senior win and suggested past players could catch up with some old mates by coming down this Saturday for what is shaping as a blockbuster. "This is the best opportunity to catch up with old mates, create new ones, bury hatchets and tell some tall stories!!! Been great to see all the chat about the past players who played who didn't etc and a bit of banter as well...normally this is followed by "we should catch up". Well you can at any home game or even better at the 50 years of senior footy celebration in August - See ya at the footy!"
• Paul also noted that several Reserves players have voluntered to run the water for the Seniors which is fantastic from a clubman point of view but is asking for any supporters who would like to be involved to help out with running the water on game days. If that is not your cup of tea there are plenty of roles at the club if you want to get your footy fix and be part of something big that is building at Chelmer.
• Sherwood hosted the Queensland Under 12 Carnival on the bye weekend and everyone was impressed with the Colts boys who came down to help out . Colts coaches Jake Fuentes & Kiran Verma not only have their side playing exciting football but  also emphasising to players the need to be good citizens at club and community level.
• Finn Collison, Lachlan Pearson, Aiden D'Rosa, Jacob Aurisch, Cooper Crowell and Harrison Radcliffe all came down to help out at the BBQ and Jacob and Harrison along with senior player Aaron Highlands and Senior coach Brydan Morgan welcomed the Cape York Crusaders and took them under their wing.
• Perennial helpers Rob Lawson and Bruce O'Neill also were on hand to make sure the ground and facilities were all in order for the 4 days of the carnival.
• Sherwood U16 players Darcy Prest and Jack Briskey are in the Qld State Team contesting the U16 National Championships.
• 7 of our Sherwood U12 Black team members were selected to participate in the U12 carnival-- Finn Mahoney, Kye Van Beest, Jaydon Macauley, Cooper Rowlings, , Jacob Edwards, Jed Bostock and Jed Hooper – a bright future for the WM!
• Ex Magpie Brett 'Noodles' McEvoy coached the Met North side with the help of Kiran Verma, and is also the QLD U12 coach.
• Current Woodsmen 'spearhead' Matt Hockley was also spotted watching his nephew and offering plenty of assistance where needed
• After some shuffling of divisions in the opening rounds our U12 and U14 teams have hit their straps with a number of convincing wins in the last three weeks to see them steadily climbing the ladder.  Two months out from finals and they are building nicely
• Good to see past President Mark Blackberry at the football last Saturday and he was accompanied by Richmond legend and Brisbane Lions Player Development Manager Craig Lambert. Might be interesting this Saturday if they turn up as Lambert's son is playing for Morningside
• Queensland Umpiring Legend and games record holder, Tom McArthur passed away recently. He umpired 502 Senior matches in the QAFL but he also umpired schoolboy matches on Friday afternoon at Graceville Oval from the mid 50s to the mid 80s and would often umpire 4 matches in a day. It is estimated he umpired over 1000 schoolboy matches as well.
• He played football at Western Districts before injury forced him to take up umpiring. He was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame several years ago. Legend has it that some players thought he would not report players for violent conduct as he worked night shift and could not attend tribunals but he soon put that to bed by reminding players that there is such a thing as " long service leave!!"
• Players and supporters of Sherwood DAFC join all AFL lovers in recognising the enormous contribution he made to our game in Queensland. For more on Tom McArthur check out the AFLQ website.

MCCARTHY HOMES MATCH REVIEW - PIES GRIND OUT 4TH STRAIGHT WIN

The Western Magpies added a tick their finals credentials with hard fought win over Labrador played in perfect conditions in front of a healthy home crowd at McCarthy Homes Oval at Chelmer on Saturday.

Labrador have played in the past four QAFL Grand Finals for two premierships and remain a formidable outfit in 2018 as key players slowly return.

In a first half where the Pies controlled the game largely and lead most of the important stats, they remained challenged on the scoreboard and on several occasions looked like they could skip away before Labrador efficiently closed the gap with accurate and clean finishing.  Midway through the 2nd the Pies controlled proceedings but missed several simple shots to have just a 15 point lead before Labrador came late with a burst of 3 goals in 3 minutes to take a half-time 1 point lead.

The Pies knew they were well and truly in a contest as the Labrador midfield gained ascendancy at the contest and their key talls at both ends were threatening, with 2017 Grogan Medalist Wade Mills a constant headache with his marking prowess in defence, both chopping off Magpie attacks but also as the linkman out of trouble. The Magpies then slipped 2 goals behind in the third quarter but fought back to take 9 point lead at three quarter time after taking advantage scoring opportunities.

Early goals were the order of the day for the Pies at the start of the final quarter but it was the Tigers who booted 2 quick goals to snatch a 3 point lead and put the Pies fans on edge. With the Tiger tail wagging and tails up it looked like the match was could be slipping from the Pies grasp. But this is a resilient group who are starting to believe and they gritted their teeth, composed themselves and actually dominated the final 20 minutes to boot 3 goals and run out 16 points winners, 12.12-84 to 10.8-68.

The match was hard fought and tough affair and no more than 3 goals separated the sides during the game--the Pies 16 point margin was the equal largest for the match. 

Coach Brydan Morgan was proud of the win as the Pies were challenged by a resurgent Tigers and he commented that sometimes you have to win ugly but as long as the 4 points are pocketed that it is all that matters--and winning ugly often wins premierships!!  Morgan pointed out that Labrador came to play and their intensity was up a few notches compared to recent matches.

Morgan as rapt in the performance of key defender Brady Allen, who after starting the season in the Reserves has repaid his coach with 3 solid performances since his recall. Allen used his strength and height to win some key battles and then used his strong left foot to roost the Pies into attack.

Morgan also singled out fullback Stephen Mills, a Redland listed player, who held key forward and ex AFL player Bryce Retzlaff to 2 goals. Mills looks to be enjoying the Magpies environment and although as all NEAFL listed players he would prefer to play for his NEAFL club, he has embraced the Pies culture and is a popular player at Chelmer. 

Billy Johnson was also a key player in his first game back at the Pies after Brisbane Lions NEAFL duties and an ankle injury.and he booted 3 goals in a fine performance on the wing. His 3 goals were vital at times when the Pies were in danger of being overrun. He was able to slot back into the Pies line-up seamlessly and looked right at home at his home club. 

Kale Reed continued his good recent form to be a busy player up forward, continually harassing the tiger defenders to create a few turnovers and he booted 2 important goals as well.

David Lewis and Luca Winton were fine defenders with Lewis again marking strongly across half back and Winton mopping up well and defusing several Labrador sorties.

Anthony Corrie bobbed at crucial times to boot 3 goals, including a vintage effort collecting a groundball to turn his opponent inside out before kicking truly from the arc. Liam Dwyer worked hard in ruck and then was busy up forward to kick 3 vital goals. It should have been 4 goals as the umpire was fooled by a Labrador player on the mark clapping as the ball went past and although the kick was true the field umpire was in a terrible rush to call touched, when the Labrador player was nowhere near it!  The Pies could argue they had 2 further goals as Corrie and Jake De Winter had kicks that appeared to clearly go through the big sticks only to be ruled as behinds by the goal umpire. De Winters was especially disappointing as it followed his latest entry to Mark of the Year with plenty of hang time much to the delight of the home crowd.

Aaron Highlands also did a workmanlike job in the ruck to be named the BG Award winner for the match and half forward Riley Easton won several crucial turnovers and his tackle pressure was important for the Magpies.

The Pies are fourth on the ladder and face another big test on Saturday at McCarthy Homes Oval, Chelmer when they host a resurgent Morningside, who demolished the previously unbeaten Mt Gravatt by 102 points on the weekend.  

Western Magpies 2.3 - 15 | 6.7 - 43 | 9.9 - 63 | 12.12 - 84

defeated

Labrador Tigers 3.1 - 19 | 7.2 - 44 | 8.6 - 54 | 10.8 - 68

Best: Allen, Mills, Johnson, Winton, Lewis, Reed

Goals: Johnson, Corrie, Dwyer 3, Reed 2, Jaenke-Cain 1

Sci-Fleet Taringa - Reserves Match Review

SECOND HALF TRAIN WRECK COSTLY FOR PIES RESERVES

The Western Magpies had a second half to forget as they squandered a 5 goal half time lead to cough up the 4 points to Labrador in a hugely disappointing result.

The Pies second half resembled the Gold Coast Suns’  last quarter train wreck of Saturday evening as both teams forgot what had got them well in front in the first place.

Pies’ coach Des Lashman’s post match summation is unable to be repeated here but suffice to say he was not a happy camper at the end of the match.

The Pies had played direct football in the first half and were well on top in the middle of the ground and were winning the contested football to lead by 29 points at half time.

Anyone who turned up at half time and witnessed the third quarter would be led to believe the Labrador were well in front on the scoreboard. The Tigers completely turned the game on its head as the Pies retreated into themselves, were second to the football, started second guessing, started fumbling and were guilty of poor ball use as they appeared to become panicked.

The match was still anyone’s game in the final quarter and the Pies did have their chances to win but went down 8.6-54 to 8.8-56 in a 2nd costly 2 point loss that sees them slip back to sixth place on the ladder.

Zach Collison, Chris Hunt and Gabe McKinnon across half back were the source of a lot of drive in the first half and then worked hard to stem the tide in the second half.

Nathan Congram and Monty Vine both worked hard in ruck and Sam DeNys was busy around the packs, especially in the first half.

The Magpies will be bolstered by the return of several experienced players for a must-win match at home against Morningside on Saturday.

Western Magpies 3.2 - 20 | 6.2 - 38 | 6.5 - 41 | 8.6 - 54

defeated by

Labrador Tigers 1.3 - 9 | 1.3 - 9 | 6.3 - 39 | 8.8 - 56

Best: Z.Collison, hunt, Congram, M.Vine, McKinnon, De Nys

Goals: DeRooy, Pope 2, S.McEvoy, Mazerolle, F.Collison 1

Anytime Fitness - Colts Match Review

COLTS ON TOP OF THE LADDER AFTER EMPHATIC WIN

The Western Magpies Colts are on top of the QAFL Colts ladder after a comprehensive victory over Labrador on Saturday morning.

The Pies were slow to start and the Tigers had the first 2 goals on the board before the Magpies kicked into gear. Led by key forward Cameron Ferguson, who booted 3 first quarter goals then followed up with the first 2 goals of the second quarter, the pies took control and were well on top from the 10 minute mark of the opening quarter.

The Pies won well 15.12-102 to 4.5-29.

Queensland Under 17 representative Bruce Reville showed his class with a turn of speed  and capped a fine game with 3 goals from the wing and rover Dan Edwards continued his fine season to boot 2 goals. Another Queensland Under 17 rep player in Samson Ryan gave the Pies first use of the ball from the centre in another fine display of the ruckman’s art  and centreman Jacob Sheath was as usual a busy player. Aiden D’Roza played well across half back and Sam Mehari returned from an injury he suffered in Round 1 to be a livewire across half forward and his return is a further boost to an already potent forward line.

Coaches Jake Fuentes and  Kiran Verma look to have a good spread of talent all over the ground at their disposal and they have depth as well and this puts the Colts in a good place to push hard for a top of the ladder finish and set themselves up for a successful finals series.

Western Magpies 5.3 - 33 | 10.5 - 65 | 13.6 - 84 | 15.12 - 102

defeated

Labrador Tigers 2.1 - 13 | 2.1 - 13 | 4.3 - 27 | 4.5 - 29

Best: S.Ryan, Sheath, D'Roza, Mehari, Ferguson

Goals: Ferguson 5, Reville 3, Edwards 2, Aurisch, Keenan, Johnson, Batilimoyo, S.Ryan 1

Coopers Friday Night Footy - Match Review

The Woodsmen licked their wounds after a tough 2 point loss to Zillmere last outing to travel down the M1 to take on the winless Ormeau Bulldogs on Friday night in freezing temperatures.

With another 5 or 6 changes to the side, and percentage likely playing a role late in the year in the jockeying for finals positions it was important the Woodies went down and showed some intent and kept their foot on the throat, as in recent years the side has failed to put sides away and the lack of percentage has been costly.

It was a bright start as the boys piled on 7.5 - 47 to 0.0 - 0 in the opening quarter, with Matt Hockley bagging 5 in the opening term and perennial defender Chris La Burniy sneaking forward for his first goal since approximately 2013!

However, it was a bridge too far to maintain the intensity as the match slowly dwindled into an exercise in avoiding the odd cheap shot and experimental positioning.

New recruit Adam Pedler was tried in the ruck where he enjoyed aproximately 85% game time and showed plenty of promise, Tom Roderick continued his good form on a wing and Chris Judson, Ben Ness and Sam Curtis were at their best in the midfield continually driving the ball forward and dominating stoppages.

Matt Hockley finished with a solid bag of 9 goals, while Jason Evans and Chris Mihalopoulos were the other multiple goal-kickers while David Jackson and Scott Matthews were solid across half back.

Final score:

Woodsmen 16.12 - 108 defeated Ormeau 2.5 -17

Best: Hockley, Judson, Ness, Davis, Pedler, Jackson

Goals: Hockley 9, Evans, Mihalopoulos 2, La Burniy, Davis, Judson 1

The Woodsmen take on Morningside this Saturday at 4:45pm after the Seniors host the Siders in what will be an exciting day between the 2 clubs featuring 4 hard fought matches.

PLACE PREVIEW - MAGPIES TAKE ON WOUNDED TIGERS

The Western Magpies should be fresh after another bye as they host a Labrador team that has potentially lost some of its lustre from recent seasons, but remain a dangerous opponent.

However. which Labrador team will the Pies play? --the Tigers had 9 team changes 2 matches ago and then 10 changes to their team last round and with a quality list, will be searching for consistency.

Labrador have 2 wins against the bottom 2 teams in Sandgate and Wilston Grange and have been well beaten in other losses. Two of the Pies wins have been over the same teams plus a resurgent Surfers Paradise and the Pies losses have been close so the home team's form line looks a lot better, but 4 points are harder to come by than that!

Labrador have featured in the last 4 QAFL Grand Finals, for 2 wins and despite their luke warm start to the year, they are a formidable opponent with talent on every line.

The Western Magpies have had to make six forced changes and as expected Ryan Harwood slots back into the team as a straight swap for Tom Ielasi, who is in Europe visiting relatives.  The Pies also lose Jack Goodall (Redland) and Doug Lawrence (Aspley), both  back to the NEAFL and Caleb Franks also to Redland in the NEAFL after joining them this week as a rookie. Gareth Crawford is also on an overseas trip and Brodie Easton is unavailable with a uni exam. 

Also in are Will Fletcher after missing with unavailability last match, Liam Dwyer returns from an injury he sustained at Redland, Billy Johnson is back for his first game for the Pies this year as the Brisbane Lions NEAFL, where he has been playing, have a bye and it will be his first run for 3 weeks after sustaining an ankle injury.  Meanwhile, experienced veteran Sean Mewing earns a recall to Senior ranks through weight of form and Aaron Maricic is also promoted after good Reserves form.

The Magpies forward line looks potent with Jake De Winter, Anthony Corrie and Ryan Harwood  all capable of plenty of goals but the pies will  need their kicking boots on as inaccuracy in this match could prove costly.

Drew Mitchell was back to his best last week and leads the midfield with another bull in Jono Macanawai, who has been superb in the clinches this season. 

Brady Allen has been good at centre half back since his return and David Lewis has been his usual composed self in every match.

If the Magpies are to consider themselves genuine premiership contenders then it is these matches they must win and with the Tigers a bit of an unknown quantity coach Bryan Morgan will need his charges switched on from the first bounce. 

QAFL Round 9 - Western Magpies vs Labrador - 2pm Sat 16 June @McCarthy Homes Oval

B: Will Fletcher - Luca Winton - Billy Johnson

HB: David Lewis (VC) - Stephen Mills - Brenton Saunders

C: Luke Mitchell - Ben Jaenke-Cain - Aaron Maricic

HF: Jake De Winter - Aaron Highlands - Matt Davis

F: Brady Allen - Anthony Corrie - Riley Easton

Foll: Jack Austin - Drew Mitchell (C) - Ryan Harwood

Int: Liam Dwyer - Jono Macanawai - Sean Mewing - Kale Reed

In: Will Fletcher, Ryan Harwood, Liam Dwyer, Sean Mewing, Aaron Maricic, Billy Johnson

Out: Tom Ielasi, Gareth Crawford (both overseas), Doug Lawrence, Jack Goodall, Caleb Franks (all NEAFL), Brodie Easton (exam)  

One 2 One Plumbing - Reserves Preview

PIES RESERVES IN MUST WIN MATCH

The Western Magpies Reserves have a must win match against a team level pegging on the ladder in the race for a finals berth.. The Pies are currently sixth on the ladder with a 3-3 record and Labrador are fifth with a 3-4 record.

The Magpies looked to be starting to play more consistent football last round, and getting use to their teammates and adjusting to frequent changes to the lineup. The Pies were still a bit slow to get started against Grange and in all their losses to date have given their opponents a start and then played catch up football-- and unsuccessfully so...

So coach Des Lashman will implore his team to be on-song from the first bounce.

In comes Val Pope after his annual UK sojourn and Matt Mazarolle and Alec Parsons also come into the side.

Out go skipper Sean Mewing and Aaron Maricic to the Seniors and Luke Brennan has decided work and study commitments preclude him from playing any further this season.

The backline which includes Harry Marshall, Sam Hartog and Chris Hunt looks strong and Nathan Congram in ruck has been a good recruit for the Pies.

In the middle, Lachie Dennis will be keen to gain some form to push for a return to the Senior side and Logan Murray will only get better with increased match fitness.

Big key forward Gerard Moore will line up next to his premiership teammate Pope across half forward and with young high flyer Finn Collison, the strong marking Jeremy DeRooy and nippy small forwards Sam Parker and Sempatike Kwizera all in good form the Pies have the ability to kick a big score.

A win in this match will go a long way to cementing the Pies in the five and with some tough matches coming up every win is vital.

QAFL Round 9: Western Magpies Reserves v Labrador at McCarthy Homes Oval, Chelmer on Saturday June 16th  at 11.30 am. 
 

B: Sam Hartog  Harry Marshall Gabe McKinnon

HB: Zach Collison  Chris Hunt  Kurt Vine

C: Sean McEvoy (Capt)  Lachie Dennis  Peter Kilroy

HF: Val Pope Gerard Moore Jeremy DeRooy

F:  Sam Parker  Finn Collison Sempatike Kwizera

Foll: Nathan Congra  Logan Murray  Tristan Dowdy

I/C:  Monty Vine, Alec Parsons, Sam DeNys,  Matt Mazerolle

Emerg: Angus Wyllie

Genuine Garage Door Solutions - Colts Preview

COLTS TO SET FOR TOUGH MATCH-UP

The Western magpies Colts can at last get their teeth into their footy as they embark on a run of 4 matches in a row after an interrupted season to date.

The Pies sit third on the ladder but have only played 5 matches to ladder leaders Broadbeach’s 7 matches--the Pies have one loss to the Cats 2 losses—so the ladder can be misleading in the light of a lot of byes in the disjointed competition.

Labrador sit in seventh place with 2 wins but will still provide a tough challenge for the young Magpies.

The Pies will look to Queensland under 17 representatives Zane Lovell, Bruce Reville, Sean Ryan and Samson Ryan to lead the side and the two Ryans and Lovell have been in good form recently.

Reville looked a class player in his first game back to the Colts this year after being on Academy duties.

Down back the Pies have been solid led by CHB Whitlam Bishop, Chris Jenkins and Chris Moloney and Jacob Sheath is back to his Maurie McNamee Medal winning form of last year to lead the midfield.

Samson Ryan and Harry Keenan lead the ruck divisio  and up forward skipper Noah Resuggan, Deng Arok  and Cameron Ferguson are always dangerous.

The Pies can set themselves to finish top of the ladder with a good 4 weeks and they will need to start with a strong performance against a dangerous Tigers outfit.

QAFL Round 9: Western Magpies Colts v Labrador at McCarthy Homes Oval, Chelmer on Saturday, June 16th 2nd at 9.30am

B:    Aiden D’Roza Chris Moloney  Ethan Sivjis          

HB:  Chris Jenkins (vc)  Whitlam Bishop (vc)  Charlie Thorpe

C:  Ritti Batilimoyo  Jacob Sheath  Jacob Aurich  

HF:  Sean Ryan  Cameron Ferguson Bruce Reville

F:  Sam Mehari?  Samson Ryan  Noah Resuggan (Capt)  

Foll: Harry Keenan Zane Lovell Dan Edwards  

I/C:  Deng Arok,  Jayden Johnson, Mitchell O’Dea, Tom Slatter,

Gut Feelings VI - A weekly collection of thoughts from influential minds deep inside the nest!

"Gut Feelings VI"

Some deep thoughts from deep in the nest!

• Three out of four ain’t bad for the Senior Magpie contingent with the Woodsmen the only blemish in going down narrowly yet again to Zillmere on Friday night. The Seniors and Reserves had comprehensive victories and the Colts had a hard fought win over - all against Wilston Grange

• If the QAFL had a champion club award then the Pies would be close to leading at the moment with all four teams in the top five in their respective ladders.

• Ben Jaenke-Cain's 150th Senior Match was typical of just about every game he has played in the Black and White. Ben worked hard up and down the ground, gets back to help his teammates and racked up plenty of possessions to be named in the best players for the Pies in their strong win over Wilston Grange.  He was chaired off the ground by the Mitchell brothers to warm applause from a strong Pies supporter contingent.

• Skipper Drew Mitchell was back to his Bill Peirce Medal winning best to drive the Pies to their 64 point victory. He polled the maximum 10 votes in the Syd Guildford Medal voting for Most Valuable player in the QAFL voted on by opposing coaches on a 5-4-3-2-1 basis. He was joined in the voting by teammates Jono Macanawai and Kale Reed (7 votes each), and Brady Allen and Anthony Corrie (2 votes each)

• Jake De Winter now has 24 goals and trails Jarrod Douglas from PBC by 3 goals in the QAFL Goal-kicking list. De Winter is averaging 4.8 goals per game, the best in the QAFL, and his good form and ability at ground level and as a spring healed flyer adds to the Pies forward line potency.

• Interestingly, De Winter took a cracking hanger against Grange and mysteriously had a free kick awarded against him.  Despite the officiating umpire being the only person at the ground who felt it wasn't a fair mark, it still managed to find its way into the QAFL Marks of the Week, hope the umpire saw it!

• The Wilston Grange match had danger written all over it with a couple of key players out and the Pies then kept the door ajar for the Gorillas in the first half with very poor kicking for goal to have 4.13  at halftime. Instead of having a 10 goal lead at halftime and the four points wrapped up, the pies still had plenty of work to do in the second half to earn the victory. A six goal third quarter put the notion of a Grange victory to bed but the Pies missed an opportunity in the last quarter to win by more and build their percentage even further.

• Mark Bosnich summed it up on Tuesday night on "Bill and Boz" when another farcical proposal was thrown up about bringing in the 9 point goal from outside the 50 metre arc. He asked why do AFL always want to change the rules? He pointed out it is a very successful game and could not understand all the angst about how the game is going. Nathan Burke also quickly poo-pooed the idea--thank God for that!!

• Gerard Whateley on AFL 360 pointed out an article in The Age newspaper headed "The Game is in Trouble" --when was it written?--1924. 

• Doc Thompson had a function in Melbourne on Saturday night and took the opportunity to watch his nephew play at Maribyrnong Park in Essendon DFL Premier Division in a top of the ladder clash against reigning Premiers Aberfeldie. Also playing for "Marby" is ex Western Magpie Scott Clarke who decided that after playing in Port Melbourne's VFL Premiership last year that the commitment of VFL football was too much and dropped back to suburban football. Essendon DFL is regarded as the top league in Victoria below VFL and the standard was similar to QAFL. Clarke proved his versatility starting at CHB then pushed forward where he booted 2 goals to keep his side in the match before they were well beaten. He was "Marby's" best player in a strong performance.

• The Pies next match will be at home to Labrador this Saturday and the Pies' selectors will start developing headaches in coming weeks given the good recent form of incumbents in addition to the impending availability of players returning from injury and unavailability, at least one or two unlucky players given the return of Ryan Harwood this week and likely Will Fletcher too.

• The Colts won a close match in a hard fought contest where there was little between the teams. The Pies came from behind late in the game to snatch the 4 points and it was good win against a likely finals opponent. The Colts have several challenging matches coming up with little separating the top 6 teams in the competition. The Pies are second on the ladder and are the only team to defeat the top side in Broadbeach.

• The club hosted the Queensland Primary Schools carnival from Thursday to Sunday.  It was a great success despite some challenges with the weather, with many visitors complimenting the club on the facilities and organisation that went into the weekend.

• A few familiar faces were involved with 'Barts' one of the event organisers and Brett McEvoy coaching the 3rd placed Met North team and also being the QLD Schools U/12 coach.  Never one to be out of the action, Kiran Verma was also spotted doing board duties and donning the pink vest to do some running.

• Massive effort from regular club volunteers in Paul Silcox and Robert Hartley who manned the BBQ for 4 days straight, plenty of helpers dropped by including Senior Coach Brydan Morgan and current Senior Player Aaron Highlands.

• Magpies' strength and conditioning coach Daniel Petch has the Pies in good shape. In all six matches this season the Pies have won the last quarter on the scoreboard as they have run out matches well. In the three matches they have lost they dominated the final quarter against Mt Gravatt and Broadbeach but wayward forward entries and wayward kicking for goal cost them dearly in these losses.

• Petch is only 22 years old and is currently completing his Masters of Exercise Science. He also has an AFL pedigree, having started at Labrador and also playing at Southport and Coomera. He also did an internship at the Gold Coast Suns to see how an AFL club prepares. He decided to take a year off from playing the game to enable him to concentrate on establishing his business and also undertaking his Masters. Might be a good recruit in 2019

• The Pies inaccuracy on front of goal was again on display in the last round against Wilston Grange but in the end did not prove too costly as the Pies were still able to win well. They cannot afford this luxury against the top sides. The Pies have a season defining run ahead when they are at home to a dangerous Labrador this Saturday then host Morningside a week later.  They then travel to Broadbeach before hosting the currently undefeated Mt Gravatt at McCarthy Homes Oval at Chelmer in a Sunday blockbuster on July 8

• Another "find" for the Pies this year is ex-Brisbane Lions big man Justin Clarke, who is an assistant coach at the Pies as well as the game day runner. Clarke knows what it takes to prepare for footy and his experience has been a bonus for the Magpies this year. 

• Clarke had to retire from playing in 2016 due to ongoing issues with post-concussion symptoms. In 2016 at 22 years of age he was just starting to have a major influence at AFL level and  to be forced to stop playing was devastating for him. He took up rowing and was doing well at his new sport but continued to have headaches when he exerted himself to the maximum so had to stop this as well.

• A connection with ex-Pies coach, ex-Brisbane Lions NEAFL Coach and current Pies Coaching Director Paul Grentell resulted in him joining the Pies as he was keen to be involved at a club and start honing his coaching skills.  Clarke was recruited to the Lions from Booleroo-Melrose-Wilmington Football Club based on several small communities north of Adelaide between Port Pirie and Port Augusta.

• He is currently completing an Aerospace Engineering degree at UQ and plans to do a PHD in supersonics. He is also now an ambassador for UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute, where scientists are tackling some of concussion’s unanswered questions, while working to improve diagnosis and management of brain injuries - a topic he is understandably passionate about.

• "Jase" as he is known (due a fantastic story from fellow former Brisbane Lion, Ryan Harwood) is a hugely popular member of the coaching panel and a very welcome addition to the Magpies.

Hear more about his story in this podcast