The Western Magpies were given a football lesson by the undefeated Morningside at Hawthorne on Saturday.
The Pies were defeated by 93 points 25-21-171 to 11-12-78.
It was the Pies first defeat where they were given a football lesson--except for Palm Beach when a terrible first quarter had sealed the result, in all other losses this season the Pies have been competitive and were in positions to win those matches.
A solid first quarter against the Panthers where the Pies could have held the lead had they taken their chances gave hope of a competitive match but the home side took charge in the second quarter to boot 7 goals and keep the Magpies goalless to take a 9 goal lead into half time. The Pies were competitive in the third quarter to even the honours for the quarter. The Pies booted six last quarter goals with some good passages of play but conceded Morningside ten goals to give the home team a comprehensive victory.
The ladder leaders use of the football with clean hands in close and precise foot passing was a lesson to the Pies. Morningside have a good game plan with players sweeping to the defensive side of packs to give options , they work tirelessly to push back defensively and then run hard to create forward options and the Magpies were simply not able to contain them for the whole match.
Coach Glenn Humphrey, said the Magpies simply didn’t do the hard yards for long enough after a promising first quarter.
“Our first and third quarters were okay when we did use the ball together and worked together,” he said.
“They were a lot more drilled and more precise in their use of the football, which was better than ours and they worked harder defensively".
Better player for the Magpies were fullback Hayden Thick who kept key forward Kent Abey to two goals, fellow defender Chris Hunt, who worked tirelessly to continue his recent good form, half forwards Matt Garland and Val Pope, with four goals, and who both presented all match and midfielders Ben Jaenke-Cain and Lachlan Woods, both hard at the contest. Small forward Matt Thompson also worked hard up the ground and Richard Wenham and Sean Mewing both did a good job containing Panther dangermen Paul Shelton and Matt Logan respectively.
The fact was Morningside had several other good players to take up the slack around the ground.
The Magpies must regroup for a must-win match at home against Wilston Grange on Saturday.
RESERVES DEFEAT TOP TEAM
The Western Magpies Reserves had a nail-biting 1 point win over the previously undefeated Morningside on Saturday, 10-8-68 to 9-13-67.
It was Morningsides' first defeat in 18 months.
The Magpies were determined to have a good start after slow starts in the previous two matches and they did just that with a dominant first half that had them almost five goals in front at halftime.
Morningside were always going to respond to the challenge but the Magpies were able to keep them at bay in the third quarter. The Pies started to defend their lead rather than continue to attack and Morningside increased the tempo and chipped away at the lead, but resolute defence from Todd Billing, Sean McEvoy and Travis Parsons held out for the Pies to go on to record a fine victory.
Jaden Morton on ball and up forward was the Pies best player and is pushing for a senior recall, Jesse Hampel with four goals was a strong forward target, David Lewis provided good forward support and Bryce Crossley and Tom Ielasi were both hard working in midfield.
Coach Craig Allen was happy with the pressure applied and tackling, especially in the forward half and he thought it was the Pies most consistent performance for the year.
The Magpies hold second place on the ladder and should consolidate with a win over a struggling Wilston Grange on Saturday.
COLTS COMPETITIVE AGAINST PANTHERS
An undermanned Western Magpies Colts team was competitive against second placed Morningside team played under lights on Saturday evening.
The Magpies were short a few players due to illness and Morningside agreed to lend the Pies several players to ensure a competitive match was played --many thanks to the Panthers for this.
The Pies started well and for the first half matched their more fancied opponents to be well in the match at half time.
The return of ruckman Monty Vine lifted the Magpies and some good work early from midfielders Brodie Easton and Logan Murray were instrumental in several goals.
Morningside began to get on top in the second half and eventually ran out 49 point victors, 10-13-73 to 3-6-24.
Despite the result the team play and workrate was good, especially in the first half, and coach John Saunders noted that there has been continual improvement in the team every match.
Other good players were James Hardess, Grant Jennings and Matt Mazarolle.
Last Modified on 16/06/2014 19:20