SENIORS
Round four of the QAFL season saw the Western Magpies travel down the highway to face reigning Velocity Sports Cup premiers Southport. The Magpies were hoping to improve on their effort against Broadbeach the week before and saw the fixture as a great chance to match themselves against the best.
The first quarter suited the hosts who kicked with a strong breeze to take a commanding 6 goal lead into the first break. After quarter-time the magpies started to win a bit more ball through the middle of the ground, however some inaccurate kicking and solid Southport defence never let the magpies make in-roads. Key forward David Hamill was given few opportunities deep inside the 50, whereas up the other end the Sharks running game and quick movement saw their spearhead Luke Jarjoura given plenty of chances in front of goal.
At half-time the Magpies were trailing by 65 points.
The second half saw a few positional changes and the Magpies were determined to mount a fight back. However, the Southport pressure never relented and made the defence work very hard all day. Tom Roberts in his 50th senior game for the club was one player who had a fine match down back. Ed McDonnell was also a solid contributor before suffering a head collision and being helped from the field. The âÃÂÃÂPies were keen to finish the match well and contest every ball, but failed to run the game out and were disappointing in the final quarter. Players who tried hard all day were Chris Judson, Richard Wenham, Ben Heffernan-Roper and Matt Stevens.
Throughout the match Southport controlled much of the play and eventually registered a comfortable win 28. 12. 180 to 2. 7. 19. The Magpies learnt a lot from their encounter and are now very keen to turn around last weekâÃÂÃÂs result and post their first win of the season when they meet fellow newcomers Aspley at Chelmer on Saturday. This game is a big chance for the âÃÂÃÂPies to claim their first win so come down and support your Western Magpies Seniors at 2pm.
Southport
Goal Kickers: L. Jarjoura 10, L. Oswald 5, B. Merrett 2, B. Headland 2, J. Thompson 2, D. McEntee 2, B. McCauley, J. Wilson, F. Pope, C. Betts, T. Pearson
Best Players: L. Oswald, L. Jarjoura, J. Kahlefeldt, D. O''Brien, F. Pope, G. Screech
Western Magpies
Goal Kickers: D. Hamill, T. Power
Best Players: M. Stevens, D. Beer, R. Wenham, T. Roberts, L. Scott, B. Heffernan-Roper
RESERVES
The Reserves are experiencing a great start to their QAFL season and still remain undefeated after a determined come-from-behind win against Southport on Saturday. The Magpies now sit alone at the top of the ladder.
The first quarter had the âÃÂÃÂPies kicking into a strong breeze and resulted in them failing to score in the first quarter. The Sharks made full use of the wind kicking five goals, but were also wasteful in front of the big sticks to also miss five shots.
The second term again went with the wind and the Magpies maintained the pressure inside their forward line to reduce the margin by booting six goals to two in the quarter and go into half-time knowing that if they could limit the scoring to Southport in the third quarter, they would have a great chance to kick a winning score in the final term.
In the third quarter the Magpies were able to kick three goals into the breeze to the Sharks four, which effectively won the match. Some great midfield work from Jye Spencer, Luke Boulton, Brett McEvoy and especially Scott Musson really limited SouthportâÃÂÃÂs run and attack. Down back it was Matt Dillon and Gabe McKinnon who displayed great resistance, and Cameron Thomas and Todd Billing who provided the run and carry from half-back. Up forward it was Kale Reed, Brandon Morris and Reid Dobson who did the damage, consistently threatening in front of goal.
In the last quarter the match turned into a real battle as each team searched for the four points. It was the Magpies run and desire to get over the line that really proved too much for the Sharks. Their third quarter effort set the match up and with the breeze behind them in the final quarter kicked eight goals to four to record an excellent win. Kale Reed finished with four goals and Brandon Morris booted three in the last quarter to finish with five for the match.
The final score read 17. 5. 107 to 13. 12. 90. Some accurate kicking in front of goal was a big factor in the win for the âÃÂÃÂPies. The Coaching staff could not be more pleased with the reserves start to the year and will hope to continue their good form when they meet Aspley at 11:15 tomorrow at Chelmer. The âÃÂÃÂPies will be keen to reverse the result from last yearâÃÂÃÂs grand final and move to five wins from as many games.
Southport
Goal Kickers: J. Calma-Holt 3, R. Salter 3, A. Pirika 2, A. Clarke 2, B. Male, B. Dovey, D. Meli
Best Players: N. McKenzie, J. Clarke, A. Clarke, B. Male, Z. Callinan, D. Meli
Western Magpies
Goal Kickers: B. Morris 5, K. Reed 4, j. Baker 2, L. Boulton 2, R. Dobson, S. Matthews, C. Thomas, S. Musson
Best Players: S. Musson, J. Spencer, K. Reed, B. Morris, j. Baker, M. Dillon
Last Modified on 08/05/2009 10:42