The Tradelink Western Magpies will this week face the Southport Sharks at Frankhouser 2pm on Saturday in a clash that has both sides looking to snap losing streaks. The Magpies have now lost 33 QAFL games in a row since re-entering the competition in 2009 but it is the Sharks that are under some pressure having lost their last 3 against Labrador, Morningside and Redland and top spot on the QAFL ladder in the process.
The Western Magpies gave the Sharks plenty of grief at Chelmer in Round 11 and earned praise from coach Craig Crowley for their hardness at the contest and the pressure they applied to the Sharks despite losing 13.17.95 to 5.9.39. No doubt the Sharks will be fired up for a feeding frenzy at Frankhouser where the Magpies were mauled in 2009 to get their 2010 campaign back on track.
Magpies Coach Jarrod Thorpe will know that facing the Sharks on the rebound has its dangers but on the up side there must be an element of reduced confidence and vulnerability that the Magpies may be able to expose if they can hit them hard and apply pressure from the first bounce.
The Magpies still have their injury problems with the loss of Co-Captain Chris Mihalopoulos to a hamstring injury in comical fashion while falling over the goal line to kick his third goal against Labrador last week. There is however some relief with key forward Luke Scott returning along with AIS young gun Jackson Allen for his first Senior game of 2010 following a 10 month battle with Osteitis Pubis.
The promotion of youth will continue at the Western Magpies with two debutants to come off the supplementary list. Alex Dickfos and Jesse Hampel will make their QAFL debut with the Magpies both having played previously as top ups with the Brisbane Lions.
Both Bryce Crossley and James Scarce will play with the Brisbane Lions as top ups against Mt Gravatt at Dittmer Park 2pm on Sunday – good luck boys.
The Tradelink Western Magpies Reserves have another vital game in terms of securing a finals berth against competition leaders Southport at Frankhouser 11.15am. The Magpies sit in third spot on the ladder and have opened up an 8 point gap on 5th placed Labrador but need to win at least 1 of their remaining 3 games to secure a finals spot.
The Magpies have been competitive against Southport on 3 occasions this year but have failed to get across the line so it is crucial that they take the sword to the Sharks this time around. The Magpies have been sluggish starters all year but they will need to hit the ground running in the first quarter if they are to knock the Sharks off.
Dom Beer who is in great form will need to combine with well with Reid Dobson, Brett McEvoy and Blake McClennan to deliver the ball forward. Kale Reed, Matt Thompson and Scott Clarke will do the damage if given good supply.
Last Modified on 06/08/2010 12:50