The Tradelink Western Magpies Reserves begin their 2010 finals campaign in an Elimination Final against Labrador at Coorparoo on Saturday 11am. The Magpies have had the wood over the Tigers in the regular season defeating them twice in Round 1 12.6.78 to 10.10.70 and in Round 15 14.10.94 to 12.8.80. Eight and fourteen point victories don’t suggest a total dominance by the Magpies but certainly lends itself to a tight battle for finals survival.
The two teams have had completely different preparations over the last 3 rounds leading into the sudden death final. Labrador had a leisurely run into the finals with three wins in a row although all of them against the bottom 3 teams defeating Redland by 28 in round 16, Aspley by 19 in round 17 and Broadbeach by 111 in round 18. The Magpies on the other hand come into the finals winless but had encounters with the top 3 sides losing to Southport by 50 in round 16, Morningside by 26 in round 17 and Mt.Gravatt by 1 in round 18.
The contrasting lead in to the finals will be significant to the outcome but the question remains which of the two will be best prepared for a fight to the death. The Tigers will have plenty of confidence through winning three in a row but the quality of opposition leaves a question mark over the depth and foundation of that confidence. The Magpies although they have not won since defeating Labrador in round 15 will be battle hardened by 3 high quality games against quality opposition in which they have improved every week.
The overall standing of the two clubs in terms of how their Seniors ended up and how that impacts on players available for selection is also a significant contrast. Labrador are minor premiers and the Magpies are back to back wooden spooners. Labrador after two tough games including a trip to Darwin will use the week to rest up their senior players and would not risk any of them to a Reserves Elimination Final. The Magpies on the other hand have a number of regular Senior players qualified and available for selection creating intense competition on the training track.
The key players for the Magpies according to the two meetings between the teams this year will be Matt Thompson in the forward line who has kicked 9 goals against the Tigers 6 in Round 1 and 3 in Round 15. Jye Spencer who sent the majority of the year in the Seniors and has had a fine season was in the best two players on both occasions and will no doubt be released into the midfield after spending most of his time deep forward in the Seniors.
Kale Reed has also been a dominant figure for the Magpies against the Tigers named the Magpies best in round 1 and kicking 3 goals in round 15. Dom Beer was best on ground in round 15 and will get support from Hayden Thick who has been competing against the best big men in the QAFL for the back end of the season.
A significant factor is that Reid Dobson the Magpies best player all season has not featured heavily in the best players against the Tigers and he will revel in setting the record straight in this do or die clash. He has been tagged on previous occasions but Pete McClennan will have extra midfield power at his disposal which will help free Dobson up.
“Let’s go all the way – no regrets” Katy Perry Teenage Dream 2010
Good luck boys!!
Last Modified on 27/08/2010 10:57
