The Tradelink Western Magpies will take on the Mt Gravatt Vultures this Saturday at Dittmer Park 2pm in a battle of the birds that has plenty at stake. The Vultures who have returned to form since regaining the services of Shane Morrison may be expecting easy pickings after the Lions mauled the Magpies last Sunday. The Magpies however have plenty of spirit and acknowledge last Sunday the Lions were as about as good as they get and have been very positive in looking to learn and grow from the experience.
Val Pope will return to the Magpies forward line following having his wisdom teeth out last week and will provide a mercurial avenue to goal and he will be joined by Greg Lavey whos constant presenting at half forward was missed last week. Their replacements Kale Reed and Jack Parkes have retained their position following performing well assisted by injuries to Bryan Dragus with a broken hand and David Hamill with a shoulder problem.
Shutting down on the in form Shane Morrison and the enigmatic Daryl White will be a key factor for he Western Magpies and the Magpies best player Ed McDonnell is likely to get the role and young spoiling machine Cameron Mitchelhill may go to White. Chris Hunt and Luke Scott could also be options to rotate through Morrison and White at stages of the game. Tim McEvoy will be much better for the run lat week and should produce a typical gutsy performance adding to the defencive set up with Billy Morrhead and Greg Friis in good nick.
The Magpies midfield of Rozynski, Wenham, Mihalopoulos, Jaenke-Cain and Judson tackle tirelessly last week against the Lions but will be keen to be the ones getting their hands on the ball first this week against the Vultures engine room Gilliland and Co. Gerard Moore and Dom Beer will be every chance of putting the ball to advantage of Rozynski and Co particularly Gerad Moore who is building towards a big performance.
The forward mix will need to provide the goals and Luke Scott will be itching to get back on the multiple goal kicking list after a couple of weeks in the singles. As mentioned the return of Pope and Lavey will give mobility, marking power and unpredictability to the forward line which will be complimented by the speed and skill of Jack Parkes and Kale Reed. Go Maggies!
The Tradelink Western Magpies Reserves are flying at the moment with 3 wins from 4 games and will be keen and fresh after having a week off last Sunday. Great news for the Magpies as a whole is the return of Mark Dowley to playing as he begins his campaign to work his way back to the Seniors for some injury free football. The question for these Magpies is can they shake of their sluggish starts and dominate the Vultures from the first bounce.
The Westside Asphalt U/18 Team will be looking to make it 4 straight wins when the take on Southport at Frankhouser Reserve at 2pm on Sunday.
Last Modified on 07/05/2010 12:21