This Sunday 19 July at 2pm pitted against Aspley at their Graham Rd home ground is quite simply for the Western Magpies "a time to win". The Magpies winless season thus far must come to an end this week if the club is to finnish the season strongly and build towards 2010 and avoid the wooden spoon in the process. Both clubs returned down the M3 last week with their tails between their legs after poor performances against Labrador and Broadbeach. When the two teams last met back in Round 5 at the Magpies home ground Wildbrook Wines Park the Hornets dominated the first half before the Magpies came flying home in the second half to draw level deep in the last quarter before the Hornets steadied to win by 7 points. Coach Paul Grentell has reinforced with his team all week that their best is good enough to win at this level and has emphasised that it is time to convert winning postions such as those against Aspley, Brisbane Lions and Labrador into Premiership Points.
This week will see yet another debut for 2009 with signifigance as the Western Magpies will play its youngest player this year in the form of U/16 Sherwood player Jackson Allen who was outstanding for the Western Taipans at the U/16 Championships and a key player in Queenslands recent undefeated run at the U/16 National Championships. The Magpies had considered to debut Allen a player with great skill, outstanding natural ability, excellent decision making and elite endurance prior to the U/16 National Championships but decided to hold hime back until his State duties were completed.
Allen will not be alone as recent debutants Chris Hunt, Chris McClennan, Nick Ilesea and Matt Mitchell have all held their positions in the team while defender Todd Dunn willl miss with an ankle injury and Ian Carroll will miss due to suspension following his best performance of the season while Richard Wenham will returns from injury and Matt Dillon from illness. Key forward Josh Barton will be available after escaping suspension but will need to follow up his strong marking with some more accurate kicking after missing some easy set shots in front of goal last week while Val Pope continued with his recent purple patch of good form. He was well supported by Chris Judson also in very good form, Jye Spencer, Tim McEvoy and Ben Heffernan-Roper through the midfield. The equation is simple for the Magpies a combined contribution across 22 players multiplied by four quarters equals victory!!!
The Western Magpies Reserves will need to beat second placed Aspley if they are going to keep their 2009 finals hopes alive in what is an 8 point game as they sit in 4th spot on percentage with 3rd through to 5th all on 24 points while the two teams outside the 5 are on 20 points.
The Western Magpies U/18's are sitting 4th on percentage in a close battle for second spot with 2nd through 5th all on 28 points so a win on Sunday morning in dewy conditions could see them secure 2nd spot and add to their current 3 match winning streak.
Senior Squad is attached.
"Swoop 09"
Last Modified on 17/07/2009 14:31