The Tradelink Western Magpies will take on the Brisbane Lions at Coorparoo this Saturday at 2.45pm following the cancellation by the AFL of all GABBA curtain raisers for the remainder of 2010. The Magpies will have plenty to prove after new coach Jarrod Thorpe took the helm on Monday following the resignation of Paul Grentell and the thumping the Lions gave them at Chelmer just 4 weeks ago.
The Lions will not be as strong as the 18 listed players and 3 rookies that took the field that day but whatever the make up they can count on meeting an enthusiastic, desperate and rejuvenated Magpies. From the moment the Magpies hit the track on Monday night following Thorpe’s first address the whole list lifted knowing they all now have a clean slate. Desperate to impress the new coach they trained with an intensity and enthusiasm not seen for some time.
The Magpies will also be bolstered by the return of hard man James Rozynski who’s hardness and grunt was missed in the midfield last week. Mercurial forward Val Pope will also be a much welcomed return to provide spark to a forward line that needs to kick more goals. Chris Hunt will also return to the line up following his trip to Melbourne last week where he was named best player for the Indigenous North U/23 side that played the curtain raiser to the Dreamtime at the G match on Saturday night. James Pennycuick has also been named in the squad and could make a return to the Seniors following some good Reserve performances, his penetrating left foot could be an important asset.
There are many examples in football history of teams that have been able to find something and produce a win in their first outing under a new coach and the Magpies have the opportunity to do the same against the Lions on Saturday afternoon.
The Tradelink Western Magpies Reserves have a huge match at Chelmer v Southport at 10.15am on Saturday morning in a top of table clash. Southport are undefeated and sitting two games clear of the Magpies on top of the ladder who are 1 game clear of Mt Gravatt in third position. This is a great opportunity for the Magpies to close the gap on Southport and put some space between themselves and Mt Gravatt. This should be a high quality encounter and well worth the effort of getting down to the ground for the early start time.
The Westside Asphalt Western Magpies U/18’s travel to Aspley @ 2pm on Sunday for what is also a key clash between 2nd and 3rd on the ladder on 20 points with only percentage separating the two. The winner will secure outright second position on the ladder and get the inside running for a top two finish at seasons end. They will be bolstered with the return of Stuart Wenham and Allan Borchardt returning to the track this week and Alex Dickfos returning after two weeks topping up with the Brisbane Lions.
Last Modified on 29/05/2010 09:49