The Western Magpies have a ‘must-win” match against Mt Gravatt on Saturday at Chelmer in front of sizeable home crowd swelled by the Reunion of the great Sherwood sides of the 1970s and 1980s.
Sherwood and Mt Gravatt had a great rivalry in those days and this weekend’s match will recall some of the great clashes of that era. The Pies in sixth place on the ladder trail the fifth-placed Vultures by one match and this is the equivalent of an 8 point match for both sides. A loss for the Pies sees them almost but not quite out of finals reckoning.
The Magpies have 5 changes to the line-up and will be strengthened with the return of full forward Jordan Bain after a stint for Redlands last week, smart forward Val Pope, winger Aaron Yusia-Maricic, back from the Lions in NEAFL, mobile big man Jadan Morton after good Reserves form and small forward Jack Fox after doing penance in the Reserves last week.
Out are Matt Garland for disciplinary reasons after giving a 50 metre penalty last week, and David Lewis, both to the Reserves, Bryce Crossley (overseas) and the injured Richard Wenham (thumb) and Matt Sondergeld—hamstring strain at training on Tuesday.
The Pies won a scrappy first round encounter in windy conditions but Mt Gravatt have lifted since then so a tough and spirited encounter is expected.
As well as the inclusions mentioned, which will strengthen the Pies forward options, Chris Hunt and Hayden Thick have been pillars in defence with good support from Luke Mitchell and Sean Mewing, both back to good form after recent slumps.
The Magpies will need to get a fair share of the football from the centre bounces and Dom Beer has been strong in ruck with ground level support from the consistent Ben Jaenke-Cain and hard-at-it skipper Lachlan Woods.
Coach Glenn Humphrey lamented the Pies inconsistency in recent matches and he will stress the need for 120 minutes of concentration and discipline if the Pies are to keep their season alive.
With the prospect of strong home support from the reunion crowd the Pies should lift to take the 4 points.
Last Modified on 11/07/2014 23:03