The Tradelink Western Magpies travelled to Labrador on Sunday full of enthusiasm following a solid pre-season and a win over Labrador just 3 weeks prior in a pre-season match at Chelmer. Labrador boasting high profile recruits Tim Knotting and Peter Everett to go with its other former AFL players Trent Knoble and Arron Shattock stunned the Magpies with a 7.2 to 0.1 opening quarter.
Such a poor start in 2009 and the Magpies would have gone away but the 2010 version continued to contest, tackle and chase the opposition and still won plenty of ball but struggled to convert scoring opportunities. Ed McDonnell as usual was holding the defence together although was forced to put his more attacking game demostrated through the pre-season on ice under constant pressure from the Labrador running midfield.
Richard Wenham showed his class in winning large amounts of contested ball then stepping his way through the congestion to show a clean pair of heals to any would be chasers and delivering to the advantage of his forwards. Hervey Bay recruit Greg Lavey was impressive in his QAFL debut presenting all day long marking strongly and providing plenty of forward pressure with his chase and tackle however could have converted more scoring opportunities finnishing with 1 goal.
The score was 20.8 to 2.5 at 3/4 time and coach Paul Grentell demanded his chargers put some goals on the board and slavage some respect and provide some momentum and belief going into R2 v Aspley. The Magpies responsded with the 4 goals straight with Luke Scott the main contributor finishing with 4 goals for the day and Conrad Hudghton showing plenty of promise around half forward.
Chris Mihalipoulos was building in confidence in his first competition game for the club since the 2008 Pinapple Cup Grand Final and providing drive from defence and James Pennycuick who had worked hard all day to keep Tim Knotting to 4 goals was giving the Magpies good penetration with his left foot.
Gerard Moore worked hard against Noble and everett all day and would have learnt a great deal for his development and will energe a better footballer for the experience. The Magpies showed what they were capable of in the last quarter and squared the term away at 6 goals each with Labrador to finnish 26.12 (168) to 8.8 (56). A number of Magpies players have plenty of room to improve when they take on Aspley at Graham Rd 2pm next Saturday.
Labrador
Goal Kickers: S. Trembath 4, T. Notting 4, T. Knobel 3, A. Shattock 3, E. Wartuvo 2, S. Susuve 2, T. Grayson 2, E. Bath 2, N. Gurciullo , J. Slattery , N. Stockdale , S. Wrigley
Best Players: T. Notting, M. Clarke, S. Susuve, T. Knobel, N. Stockdale, S. Paterson
Western Magpies
Goal Kickers: L. Scott 4, V. Pope , C. Hudghton , C. Mihalopoulos , G. Lavey
Best Players: G. Lavey, G. Moore, C. Hudghton, J. Pennycuick, J. Rozynski, L. Scott
The Tradelink Western Magpies Reserves got their 2010 season back on track to be 1 win and 1 loss after losing to Southport in its early R4 make up game two weeks ago with a 12.6.78 to 10.10.70 win over labrador in a tight encounter.
The Magpies were driven by BOG Kale Reed and Jye Spencer in the midfield while American recruit Bryan Dragus worked solidly all day in the ruck and continually worked up and down the ground helping out the defence. Forward matt Thompson and QAFL Reserves Leading Goal Kicker in 2009 opened his 2010 account with a six goal haul and was the difference between to two teams.
Tom Ielasi younger brother of Nick was outstanding all day and was a feature with his run and carry from half back and through the middle and put a strong case for selection in the Seniors 23rd supplimentary spot which will be vacated next week by Conrad Hudghton on State duties in Sydney. Alex Kitching and Sean McEvoy were strong down back as the Magpies often kicked away to a comfortable lead but continually let the Tigers back into the contest. The Magpies managed to hold their nerve in the dying minutes to seal an 8 point victory.
Labrador
Goal Kickers: P. Lobb 4, C. Ritchie 2, M. Doyle , B. Harding , S. Folan , J. Goldsmith
Best Players: C. Allen, A. Cooke, T. Fields, J. Woods, T. Zimmer, E. Zimmer
Western Magpies
Goal Kickers: M. Thompson 6, J. Parkes 3, M. Mitchell , J. Spencer , K. Reed
Best Players: K. Reed, J. Spencer, B. Dragus, S. McEvoy, A. Kitching, T. Ielasi
2009 Grand Finalists the Westside Asphalt Western Magpies had a tough day out in its first outing in the Sport Ready U/18 Div 1 Competition against newcomers Labrador going down 5.5.35 to 13.13.91. The Magpies were competitive through the first half but the well drilled and beter organised Tigers ran away with the game in the second half.
Des Lashamans team has had little chance to come together following the conclusion of the U/18 Taipans program finnishing at the end of last month and have plenty of room for improvement. Garry Fozard worked hard all day through the middle while Alex Dickfos provided something across half forward finnishing with 2 goals. Victorian recruit Patrick Monti was outstanding all day in defence while Lachlan Woods-Honour was impressive and Jack Green worked hard in the ruck all day long.
Last Modified on 14/04/2010 11:36
