The Mackay Magpies will be looking to send a clear message that they are genuine top four contenders this season when they face the third placed North Mackay Saints in the Allied Pickford’s Cup match of the round.
Magpies will be glowing with confidence heading into this match after their impressive 68 point win over Whitsunday’s a fortnight ago.
However, the Saints will start the match as heavy favourites after winning 3 of their last 4 starts including a big win over Bakers Creek. Saint Brendan Cowcher has led the way, with his hard running and consistent contribution a massive reason behind the North Mackay 3-2 start to the season.
Cowcher was this week rewarded with selection in the men’s North Queensland representative side for the upcoming Queens Birthday long weekend matches in Brisbane.
Cowcher has been well supported though with Brenton Lauder, Mathew Landt and Ryan Hollows all consistent contributors for the Saints this season.
North Mackay’s Brendan Riddle is still the most prolific Saint inside the forward 50 with 13 goals, which includes a haul of 10 in one match but the Saints will be missing their number one goal-scorer. The Saints most consistent goal-kicker outside Riddle is Sam Dunbar who is averaging just over one goal per game.
The Magpies are ranked third in the competition in front of the sticks, averaging just under 75 points per game in season 2015 with the Saints ranked fourth averaging just a smidge over 60 points per game. The men in black and white are definitely the better offensive team out of the two with key forward Brendan Edwards leading the way with swag of midfielders also impacting the scoreboard regularly for the Magpies.
However, the Saints are the higher ranked defensive side of the two with the Magpies leaking on average 111 points per game. Compared to North Mackay, who has a strong defensive unit averaging only 78 points against, each match.
North Mackay cannot however, take the Magpie men lightly.
The Magpies sliced open Whitsunday with their impressive running game through the corridor and when pushed on the outside, were even more damaging led by Brandon Ross, Nicholas Thiele and Jackson Webb.
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PLAYERS TO WATCH
North Mackay:Brendan Cowcher, Sam Dunbar, Ryan Hollows and Mathew Landt
Mackay Magpies: Brendan Edwards, Luis Narvaez, Nicholas Thiele, Jackson Webb
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If North Mackay can claim the four premiership points, they will stay within reach of the top two sides Eastern Swans and Mackay City, plus give themselves breathing space between them and the rest of the competition.
If Mackay Magpies can take the four premiership points back to Glenella, they may just move up into third position and will put the club in some unfamiliar terroritory.
In the other matches in Round 7 of the Allied Pickford’s Cup, the Eastern Swans will be looking to remain undefeated as they head to Etwell Park to take on the Bakers Creek Tigers.
Meanwhile, the Whitsunday Sea Eagles will host the Moranbah Bulldogs in Airlie Beach with the Sea Eagles looking to record back to back wins for the first time this season. The Bulldogs will be looking to return to their 2014 premiership form and claim a win in their longest road-trip of the season.
ROUND 7 ALLIED PICKFORD’S CUP
Bakers Creek Vs. Eastern Swans @ Etwell Park, 2:45pm
Whitsunday Sea Eagles Vs. Moranbah @ Airlie Beach, 2:45pm
North Mackay Vs. Mackay Magpies @ Zeolla Park, 2:45pm
Mackay City bye
Last Modified on 25/05/2015 12:57