The Western Magpies started their premiership defence in fine fashion, defeating Mayne 21.13 (139) – 14.16 (100) in the first round of the Allied Pickfords Cup.
After trailing by four points at three-quarter time, the Magpies stormed home, kicking nine goals to two in the last quarter.
The two sides had a tight first-half tussle, before the Tigers took the lead in the third term, on the back of a brilliant quarter from Liam Bourke.
With a number of premiership players missing from the side, including retired captain Chris Mihalopolous, it was the Magpies’ new recruits who stood up.
Matt Thompson led the way with seven goals, while 16 year-old Jake Heard had a promising debut, finishing with four goals.
Tigers coach, Mitch Ferguson, said the loss of Jake Magill (broken ankle... he's also a former Roo & the brother of current Roos hard-nut Declan so we wish him a speedy recovery) and Nick Aldridge (hamstring) early in the game meant they were on the back foot in the final stages.
“We had a resting ruck on the bench and a midfielder and that was it for three-quarters of the game,” Ferguson said.
“It was magnificent to get as close as we did but they were always going to get over us.
“That’s footy. Some days it rolls your way, others it doesn’t.”
Magpies coach, Craig St John, said the game would be “character building” for his side.
“Good group of boys there and for them to come three or four goals down and then to win by five or six, I think it was a great effort,” he said.
“It just shows you that we’re back on track to where we were last year.”
Burleigh vs. Coolangatta
Coolangatta Tweed 4.10, 7.15, 12.21, 21.23 (149)
Burleigh 2.1, 3.5, 5.7, 7.13 (55)
Coolangatta had a surprise win over Burleigh on Saturday, leaving Bombers coach, Shane William bewildered.
The Blues dominated in the Gold Coast derby and probably could have won by more, if not for some inaccurate goalkicking.
What the coaches said.
Daniel Hawkins:
“We kept our cards pretty close to our chest in pre-season. In-house, we expected the win, but I think we surprised a lot of people.”
“It gives us a lot of confidence and shows our hard work is playing off.”
Shane Williams:
“We just didn’t come to play. They weren’t tuned in, they weren’t switched on.”
“The only value is we learn from it. If we don’t then it becomes a complete waste. We need to learn from our mistakes.”
“It was probably our lack of run and footy smarts that really disappointed me.”
Noosa v Wilston Grange
Wilston Grange 5.5, 8.6, 10.7, 11.13 (79)Noosa 2.2, 2.4, 8.10, 10.13 (73)
Wilston Grange hung on for a six-point win over the Tigers to kick off their 2013 season.
Noosa had seven players making their club debut, and the relatively young side came back from 38 points down at half time to challenge for the win.
What the coaches said:
Wayne Fletcher (Noosa):
“I couldn’t fault the effort from the players.”
“They certainly showed a lot of maturity. The comeback showed a bit of character and gives us every reason to be confident in our improvement.”
Matt Trewhella
“Noosa changed the structure a bit and our guys didn’t work hard enough to play against that.”
“The main thing we need to work on is communication around the ground. When we started to communicate more, then that brings more people into the game.”
Sandgate vs. Springwood
Springwood 6.3, 10.6, 14.8, 15.10 (100)Sandgate 1.4, 5.7, 11.9, 13.12 (90)
Former Brisbane Lion, Albert Proud, led the way for Springwood as the club notched their first win at Taigum Rd in seven years.
Another Puma recuit, Rhan Hooper, had a major influence on the contest in a surprisingly close match.
Sandgate’s young side refused to be put away by the Pumas, showing plenty of grit in the 10-point loss.
What the coaches said:
Rob Dickfos (Sandgate):
“From our point of view, we were disappointed to lose.”
“We were chipping away and showing some fight. I was really happy with that aspect of the game.”
“The beauty of our side is we’re pretty flexible. I made a few changes through the game and while it looked different on the board, I knew the blokes were capable of it.”
Tony King ( Springwood)
“We were in a really good position at half time, thought we could continue that and move on to a big win.”
“I thought our bigger bodies would just push them over in the second half, but they really surprised us.”
“I’m really delighted with the win.”
Surfers vs. Palm Beach
Palm Beach Currumbin 4.4, 10.8, 13.15, 16.16 (112)
Surfers Paradise 2.3, 4.7, 6.7, 8.10 (58)
Palm Beach kicked off the season with a dominant win over Surfers Paradise.
A six-goal to two second quarter broke the game open for the Lions, against a Demons side lacking in match fitness.
Western Magpies premiership player, Ben Heffernan-Roper starred in his first game in Lions colours.
What the coaches said:
Beau Zorko (Surfers)
“Going into the game, we felt we were half a game short in terms of preparation. I’m no less confident now about our chances.”
“That was our first hard football match in six months. For a few guys, it’s been a reality check.”
“We looked like a side that was in desperate need of a hit out.”
Daryn Cresswell (Palm Beach)
“I think Surfers will play finals. To beat a side like that in round one when most teams are up and about was really pleasing.”
“You never really know what other sides are going to be like, but it was a very pleasing to start the season well, for sure.”
UQ v Maroochydore
Maroochydore 10.6, 10.7, 12.8, 19.12 (126)
University of Queensland 4.8, 6.9, 8.9, 9.10 (64)
UQ had a tough initiation into the Allied Pickfords Cup competition, going down to Maroochydore 126-64.
The Red Lions stayed in the contest for most of the match, mounting a comeback in the third quarter.
A seven-goal final term to the Roos proved to be too much for the new side, though.
What the coaches said:
Matt Stewart (UQ):
“I think for us it’s all about effort.
“It’s good to see where we’re at and the standard required (at this level). I think we were probably where we thought we’d be, really.”
“I think the main positive is that for 120 minutes, they gave 100 per cent effort and intensity.”
“We need to focus on sticking to the game plan for longer periods.”
Brett Maloney (Maroochydore):
“I knew they (UQ) would be competitive but as far as what they’d produce, we didn’t have much idea.”
“The third quarter they really got themselves back in the game.”
“A couple of centre clearances in the last quarter that results in goals for us, put paid to any chance they had of winning the game.
“Against Palm Beach (next week), we’re going to have to play a hell of a lot better.”
Last Modified on 22/04/2013 10:58
