The Tradelink Western Magpies will need to be focused on every aspect of their game when they take on Morningside this Saturday at Esplen Oval at 2pm. The Magpies were able to compete with the Panthers for 3 quarters back in Round 9 when the two teams clashed at Heritage Oval in Toowoomba but were blown away in a third quarter blitz. The Panthers kicked 9.4 to 0.0 in that third quarter blitz to set up a 26.16.172 to 11.8.74 victory.
Jarrod Thorpe will no doubt be pushing his players to maintain their intensity, aggression and consistently over the full duration of the match not to allow Morningside to dominate periods of the match in which they are capable of kicking multiple consecutive goals.
James Rozynski in great form all season will be keen for another crack at Country Queensland team mate Tyson Upton who got the better of him in Round 9. Ed McDonnell has shown a superhuman work rate across half forward and he is hell bent on taking the next step in that role to become a multiple goal kicker.
17 year old Bundaberg product Hayden Thick has been on the constant improve over the last month and along with house mate Gerard Moore has an opportunity to measure himself against the best in the business Jacob Gough. Young gun Jackson Allen has now had two games back including his first taste of senior football in just under 12 months last week and will be better for the run as will Luke Scott after getting through his return game last week.
Jack Parkes and Scott Clarke will both return to senior ranks this week providing some mobility, talent and marking power to the Magpies forward line. Greg Friis will be looking to continue to build on his current rich vein of form as will Cameron Mitchelhill who has returned to the outstanding form he showed early in the season.
The Tradelink Western Magpies Reserves are on the rebound following a loss to competition leaders Southport and the pressure is off in terms of finals qualification but there is plenty to play for against the Panthers. The Panthers sit one game clear of the Magpies in third spot and the two teams are more than likely to meet in finals so the opportunity for a psychological advantage going in is up for grabs.
Coach Pete McClennan will be desperate to sort out his teams slow starts which his team has been able to recover from against teams below them on the ladder but not against the top teams. A slow start cost the Magpies against Southport and in Round 9 against Morningside a 4.5 to 0.1 first quarter was the difference in a 28 point win to the Siders.
The Westside Asphalt Western Magpies U/18’s are finally back in action this week in an all important Qualifying Final against Noosa at Chelmer on Sunday at 2pm for a spot in the 2010 Grand Final. The Minor Premiers were defeated by Noosa 10.7.67 to 8.12.60 at the same ground in the Magpies last home and away game which was just under a month ago on July 18.
The Magpies have been training hard over that month and many of the Magpies key players have kept up their match fitness with either Reserves or Senior games or as top up players with the Brisbane Lions. Tony Flynn, Tim Colburn, Jesse Hample, Alex Dickfos, James Scarce and Bryce Crossley have all been playing over the last month.
Good luck boys!
Last Modified on 13/08/2010 11:01
