The Western Magpies will be looking to get back on the winner’s list when they travel to Queensland University Oval 7 for the first time to take on the Red Lions on their home turf.
The Magpies are still a mathematical possibility to make the finals but will need to win on Saturday then finish with a final’s like flourish and defeat 3 of the top 4 teams in the last 3 rounds to have any chance—still, while your breathing you are still a chance!!
The Pies have promoted Reserves skipper Sean McEvoy after he has been in fine form and he will slot into the full back position which will allow Hayden Thick more time on the ball to give inform ruckman Dom Beer more of a break during the match.
Also into the side comes consistent on-baller Ben Jaenke-Cain, Redlands listed rover Matt Sondergeld after a slight hamstring tweak and Bryce Crossley after again playing well in recent weeks.
Out are Val Pope who re-strained his hamstring last match, Luke Mitchell to the Reserves despite good form in the back-pocket (reserves finals qualification), Redlands listed half back Jake Goodall to the Lions Reserves and utility Jadan Morton to the Reserves for disciplinary reasons (50 metre penalty).
The Magpies will be looking to finish the season off on a positive note starting with a win on Saturday against a UQ side who have been competitive in many of their matches this season but tend to fall away later in matches. The Pies have lacked consistency all season and have rarely put four quarters of football together in any match.
Coach Glenn Humphrey will ask his players for more consistency and to be on guard early in the match as UQ will be eyeing this game as one they think they can win in what is essentially a local derby and will come out firing early. With Thick having more time in the ruck with Beer, arguably the Pies best player for most of the year, the Black and Whites will hope to win the midfield battles. The returning Jaenke-Cain, also in the mix as the Pies best player this year, and with Matt Thompson to spend more time in midfield with Lachlan Woods to provide the grunt work, the visitors will be confident of giving key forwards Matt Davis, Matt Garland and Jordan Bain enough opportunities to kick a winning score. Bain is on 43 goals for the year and is only 5 goals shy of leading goalkicker in Kent Abey from Morningside. Small forward Tom Ielasi was also good last match and will be looking for more crumbing goals to add to his tally.
In defence Chris Hunt has been consistent and works well with Sean Mewing and Peter Kilroy across half back and the side will lose nothing with McEvoy at full-back.
The Magpies will return to the winners list to ensure a good night of celebrations at the clubs’ Black and White Ball on Saturday evening.
Last Modified on 01/08/2014 14:06