The Western Magpies had a disappointing loss to UQ on Saturday, going down by 15 points , 13-10-88 to 10-13 -73.
After a tight opening 20 minutes the UQ side were able to kick late 3 goals and held a 2 goal lead and were never headed for the rest of the match. The lead fluctuated from 22 points early in the final term to 8 points late in the final quarter as the Magpies threatened to steal the match but the Magpies just could not reel the home team in. UQ did not allow the Pies to play well and continually harrassed their opponents and in reality deserved to win by more than the 15 point final margin. That the Pies were within range late in the final quarter after being outplayed added to the frustration of the coaches, players and supporters who recognise they were a better side on paper but did not turn up to play.
The Magpies were out-enthused by a UQ team who sniffed a chance at a second victory for the season and they had more run and carry than an out-of-sorts Pies outfit who lacked spark throughout the match. Maybe it was reflection of the aims of both sides during the year, with the Pies disappointed they have missed the finals after a promising opening to the season and UQ keen to just be competitive and improve as the season progressed in their first tilt at the QAFL.
Coach, Glenn Humphrey, was brutally honest about his side’s performance. “Everything went wrong,” he said.
“It was the worst I’ve seen our guys with their disposal by hand or foot.
“It was like they were just out the making up the numbers.”
“Their bodies are starting to tell under the pressures of games of football,” he said.
“They’re not standing up as well as they were earlier in the year.”
The Magpies forgot to do the small things good sides do, especially when they do not have the football, such as block for teammates, shepherd, lead up the ground to open space for other forwards and run hard to defensive positions to get numbers to the ball. These aspects of the game will need to improve if they are to be competitive in the final matches as the Pies face three of the top four sides in the run home to season’s end.
Dom Beer was dominant in the ruck for the Magpies, a silver lining for his side in the match. Beer was brilliant in ruck and often had to rove as well. He showed up many of his teammates with sure ball handling.
Captain Lachlan Woods hurled himself at the contest all match, Luke Mitchell mopped up well in defence, Chris Hunt and Peter Kilroy tried hard to keep UQ at bay across half back, Sean McEvoy also held up at full-back, often isolated one out with the UQ full-forward, Mitchell Stallard was busy on a wing and Matt Garland presented up forward and did well in ruck when relieving Beer.
The Pies travel to Broadbeach on Saturday (Note—rescheduled from Sunday) and were unlucky to lose the first round clash but will need to bring their A grade game if they are to cause an upset. The magpies need to finish the season strongly to be able toi take some positives out of the season
Last Modified on 04/08/2014 15:03