Western Magpies won their first QAFL match in over a decade when they overcame a sluggish start to win comfortably over Sandgate at Chelmer on Saturday. The Western Magpies won several matches in their first foray into the QAFL in the early 2000s and on return to the QAFL for 2 years in 2009 to 2010 were unable to secure a victory.
Sandgate jumped out of the blocks to open up a 5 goal lead at the 20 minute mark of the first quarter before a late goal saw the Magpies trail by 4 goals at quarter time.
Coach Glenn Humphrey challenged his players to lift their workrate and push up hard in defence to deny Sandgate any space and his players responded as asked to pile on 8 goals to 1 in the second quarter to wrest control of the match at half time. Glenn was pleased with the increased application and intensity at the contest by all players after quarter time and is happy that the game plan is starting to reap rewards.
The Magpies started to win the footy out of the middle, with ruckman Dom Beer starting to get first hand to the ball to allow rover Chris Judson, on baller and half forward Val Pope and centreman Cory Hopkins first use of the ball to give the Magpies forwards more opportunities to score.
Redland listed players Blaec Ablett and Jordan Bain worked hard up forward and lead well on the hit up and Matt Davis also lifted to give the Magpies some forward targets. Ben Jaenke Cain was busy on a wing and across half back in one of his best ever matches for the club, Aaron Yusia was a livewire on the other wing and Peter Kilroy and Doug Lawrence were reliable in defence.
Matt Davis and Jordan Bain both kicked 4 goals. Davis will only get better with each match.
Val Pope was as usually terrific with his ball handling and disposal and Ben Hooper and Mitchell Stallard , both on debut, showed enough to indicate they will be valuable additions to the club this season.
Chris Judson knocked up getting possessions and booted 2 goals and his industrious workrate set up several other majors.
Western Magpies 17 14 116 defeated Sandgate 12 5 77.
The competition has a week off for Easter before resuming on the Anzac Saturday, the Magpies travel to Surfers Paradise for a danger match against the Demons, yet to break the ice in 2014.
Last Modified on 15/04/2014 20:19