The Western Magpies hope to bounce back to the winners list against bottom placed University of Queensland at Chelmer on Saturday.
The Magpies suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of old Pineapple Cup rivals Palm Beach-Currumbin last week and the players will be chomping at the bit to get some redemption against a UQ side yet to win a game this season.
UQ have climbed three grades in three years in a remarkable climb through the ranks in AFLQ and it is a credit to their club that they are now competing at the top level in Queensland--while they are struggling at the moment there is a view that they will soon be a juggernaut in the next few years.
The Western Magpies hope they will also develop into one of the powerhouse clubs in the QAFL in the next few years now there seems to be some stability and positive direction within AFLQ for the next few years in SouthEast Queensland football.
That said, Saturday is a danger game for the Magpies as UQ will have a choice of the Aspley listed NEAFL players aligned with them as Aspley have a NEAFL bye they weekend and they will also have any of their U18 Queensland State players also available for selection .
Coach Glenn Humphrey has had to make several changes with centreman Cory Hopkins missing through concussion , fulllback Hayden Thick and speedy winger Aaron Yusia-Maric both unavailable and young back flanker Mitch Stallard back to the Reserves.
In comes Matt Hockley, who has been in good form in the Reserves, and youngsters Brady Allen, who returns after some impressive Reserves form after injury and David Lewis, who gets his First grade debut after recent good form in the Reserves as well. Matt Davis returns from an ankle injury to bolster the forward line for the Magpies.
Humphrey has stressed to the playing group the need to step up the pressure at the contest to get first use of the football, and if the opposition gain possession then to make it difficult for them to use the ball effectively. He was not happy with the inconsistency of his side last week which allowed Palm Beach to have a run of goals in the first and third quarters, while being more that a match in the second and fourth quarters.
In-form players in smart forward Val Pope , midfielder Ben Jaenke-Cain and defender Doug Lawrence will have to again stand up for the ‘Pies. In the absence of Thick, Lawrence will have to take the key defence position and he has stood up well under pressure this year.
Dom Beer is returning to his premiership form in the ruck after a year out with injury and key forward Jordan Bain will have ample opportunity to kick some goals.
The Magpies should prevail but the UQ side will be an unknown quantity on Saturday due to their Aspley alignment.
Last Modified on 16/05/2014 17:37
