The Tradelink Western Magpies with Drew Mitchell leading strongly from defense in his best Senior game for the club battled strongly against the new ladder leaders Labrador succumbing to the Tigers 9.14.68 to 16.20.116. Coach Jarrod Thorpe would have been happy with the pressure his chargers applied to the Tigers all day but it was again a high clanger count, poor kicking efficiency going inside forward 50 and goal efficiency that cost the Magpies.
The Magpies were at the Tigers from the first bounce and were strong and aggressive in the clinches all day and no doubt the Tigers will be sore and had to earn their position on top of the ladder. The Tigers took a 4.5 to 3.2 lead into the first break and new they were in a contest. Ed McDonnell and James Rozynski as they have been all season were both in everything demonstrating outstanding work rate in what is evolving as a head to head shoot out for the Bill Peirce Medal.
Supported by youngsters Drew Mitchell, Greg Friis, Hayden Thick and Zaine Pringle the Magpies dominated the second quarter only to miss easy opportunities to mount scoreboard pressure on the Tigers going into the long break. The Magpies left to lament 1.6 to 4.5 in the second term that if they had kicked straight could possibly have taken a lead going in at half time. A belated goal after the siren kept the Magpies in the game with a 26 point deficit at half time.
The third quarter was the opposite with the Tigers taking back control in general play and butchering countless opportunities in front of goal which could have blown the Magpies away kicking 2.9 to 2.2. The Tigers despite their inaccuracy increased their 26 point lead to 33 points at ¾ time but the Magpies still had a sniff of an upset.
The final quarter was very competitive with both teams having 7 scoring shots but the Tigers had regained their composure in front of goal and kicked 6.1 to the Magpies 3.4 to secure a hard fought 48 point win.
There were plenty of positives for the Magpies with Callum Carseldine hitting every contest hard and sticking tackles all over the ground while Matt Green showed plenty on his QAFL debut finishing with two goals. Cameron Mitchelhill returned to form in defense and combined well with Chris Hunt and Drew Mitchell and Zaine Pringle seemed to relish the challenge of playing on former Lion Tim Notting.
Unfortunately the Magpies suffered another collection in a spate of hamstring injuries when Co-Captain Chris Mihalopoulos suffered a hamstring tear on the goal line just managing to kick his 3rd goal for the day in a good performance up forward. The Magpies inspirational skipper will face an uphill battle to play again in 2010 with only 3 games remaining.
9.14-68 |
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Western Magpies
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2:00 PM
Sat 31/Jul
Chelmer (Map) |
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def. by |
16.20-116 |
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Labrador
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Western Magpies
Goal Kickers: C. Mihalopoulos 3, H. Thick 2, T. Ielasi 2, M. Green , M. Dowley
Best Players: D. Mitchell, J. Rozynski, E. McDonnell, H. Thick, G. Friis, Z. Pringle
Labrador
Goal Kickers: T. Notting 4, E. Wartuvo 2, J. Howard 2, F. Sleeth , L. Rutledge , S. Wrigley , M. Vigus , M. Doyle , J. Stanley , A. Cooke , T. Featherstone
Best Players: N. Stockdale, M. Clarke, S. Wrigley, S. Paterson, D. Mills, J. Howard
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The Tradelink Western Magpies Reserves had a crunch game sitting 1 game clear of Labrador 4th and 5th on the ladder respectively and they were on the back foot early but managed to put it together in the second half to win 14.10.94 to 12.8.80.
Coach Pete McClennan had his work cut out as his players were sluggish in the first quarter and lacking in intensity conceding 2.1 to the Tigers 5.1. He took his back six to task at quarter time and it seemed to work as the Magpies worked hard to get back into the game in the second quarter kicking 4.4 to Labradors 4.1.
It was in the third quarter that the Magpies hit their straps lead by the usual suspects Reid Dobson, Brett McEvoy and Scott Clarke who backed up ruckman Dom Beer who was dominating in the air and on the deck all over the ground. Jye Spencer also lifted his work rate and as a result the forwards got going and Kale Reed and Matt Thompson finished with 4 and 3 goals respectively. The Magpies kicked 5.2 to 1.3 in the third to take an 8 point lead into the last quarter and kicked the first 3 goals in the last to open up a comfortable 28 point lead and controlled the game. The Tigers hit back with a couple of goals in red time to give the Magpies a scare but held on for a 14 point win.
This vital win has seen the Magpies secure 3rd on the ladder by 8.56% from Morningside (4th) and open up a handy 2 game buffer on Labrador in 5th going into the last 3 rounds. The job of securing a finals berth is far from over as the Magpies face the top side Southport at Frankhouser next week, 4th placed Morningside in R17 and 2nd placed Mt Gravatt in R18 while Labrador face the bottom 3 teams in their run home.
14.10-94 |
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Western Magpies
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11:15 AM
Sat 31/Jul
Chelmer (Map) |
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def. |
12.8-80 |
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Labrador
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Western Magpies
Goal Kickers: K. Reed 4, M. Thompson 3, R. Dobson 2, S. Clarke 2, J. Spencer , J. Evans , B. Jaenke-Cain
Best Players: D. Beer, J. Spencer, R. Dobson, B. McClennan, S. Clarke, B. McEvoy
Labrador
Goal Kickers: B. Harding 4, J. Slattery 2, T. Fields , B. Moore , S. Folan , L. Ygoa-Mckeown , E. Zimmer , J. Goldsmith
Best Players: M. Garland, E. Zimmer, J. Slattery, M. Sandford, B. Harding, T. Fields
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The Westside Asphalt Western Magpies U/18’s did not play this weekend but managed to secure the U/18 division 1 minor premiership by just 3.11% after Noosa defeated Broadbeach in the final round of home and away fixtures 14.11.95 to 5.5.35.
Last Modified on 02/08/2010 18:21