The Western Magpies Reserves won through to the second week of the finals with a resounding 17 point win over Broadbeach at Broadbeach on Sunday.
The Pies were on song from the first bounce to reverse the two losses to the Cats in the home and away season , winning 9-14-68 to 7-9-51.
The 17 point margin looks closer than it was as the Pies held sway throughout and late goals in the final quarter to the home side narrowed the gap but the Magpies’ lead was never fully threatened.
The Pies had to contend with a cross wind which favoured the Broadbeach end in the first quarter but won plenty of the ball but wasted opportunities to boot 2.7 for the quarter, but kept Broadbeach to 2 behinds. Kicking with the breeze in the second quarter the Magpies kicked more accurately to outscore their opponents 4-2 to 2.1 to extend the lead to 30 points at half time. The lead extended to 37 points at three quarter time and only 3 late goals to the Cats reduced the final margin to 17 points.
Coach Craig Allen said it was one of the best games his side and put together all year, with players working hard to help teammates and good use of the football with good spread in attack.
Tom Ielasi in midfield was superb with some hard gut running and several notable second and third efforts and Bryce Crossley was his usual busy self in the middle of the ground. All the midfield worked hard back to help out in defence then ran forward to create opportunities.
The backline worked well together to be the springboard of many attacking thrusts with skipper Sean McEvoy taking several strong pack marks and marshalling the defensive unit. Travis Parsons was sold at full-back and Drew Mitchell, Gabe McKinnon and Harry Buchanan provided the run out of the backline.
Up forward Matt Hockley and Brady Allen provided the focus and Allen kicked 4 goals—should have been more --and Hockley 2 goals.
Jadan Morton was again good in ruck and Mitch Pollock helped out in ruck and did a good job.
Rob Mohr also did well when he came into the side after CHF Gerard Moore was unable to change shifts and missed due to work commitments.
With Moore and rover Chris Judson available for this week coach Allen and the selectors have the difficult task of picking the side for the First Ssemi-Final clash with Palm Beach-Currumbin at Labrador on Sunday. PBC went down to Labrador in the Qualifying Final.
Last Modified on 01/09/2014 15:06