SCOTT TO SKIPPER PIES VS UQ

The Western Magpies will be without their two Co-captains on Saturday when they take on the last placed UQ at University Oval No 7 on Saturday.  Luke Scott will captain the Pies for the first time in the absence of Lachlan Woods (ankle) and Callum Carseldine (hip).

Coming into the side will be Brodie Easton after good Reserves form to join his younger brother Riley in a proud moment for the Easton family.

Other changes are the inclusion of small forward Jak Williams after missing last week due to illness to the forward pocket to replace Matt Thompson (ankle) and Brady Allen has recovered from a tonsillitis to replace Majok "Sonny" Aneet (unavailable).

The Pies will be wary of an ambush after they suffered an upset loss in 2014, however the contrast between the 2014 encounter and this year should hopefully see the Pies continue their 2015 winning form.

Last year the Pies were struggling and had just dropped out of finals contention, while in 2015 the Pies go into the clash having won five matches on the trot and are sitting in third position with a game in hand. As a result confidence is high and they are playing a positive and attacking brand of football.

With Carseldine and Woods out of the midfield rotations the Pies will rely on Drew Mitchell, playing his best football for the Pies, the consistent Tom Ielasi and the experienced Tim McEvoy as well as speedster Richard Wenham to take up the slack. 

Ben Jaenke-Cain was back to his consistent best last week and the versatile Luke Scott can be used as a swing-man on ball, up forward or in defence as needed. 

With ruck duo Hayden Thick and Dom Beer both in fine form the Pies expect to have plenty of midfield football to enable them to kick a winning score.

The key forwards of Alex Dickfos and Tom Michael booted 10 goals between them last week and both were not in the side in 2014 so will be difficult match ups for the UQ defenders. Teenager Sam Copland gets better with each match and plays taller than he looks to provide another marking option up forward for the Pies 

The half back line of Doug Lawrence, Chris Hunt and Matt Davis has been exceptional this year and will be pivotal in blocking off UQ attacks and initiating Pies counter attacks. Unsung Sean McEvoy just keeps on keeping on in the last line of defence and Bryce Crossley had leather poisoning last week from the back pocket after getting a reprieve when called back into the side due to late withdrawals last week.

The Magpies will be warm favourites to win and consolidate third position on the ladder and will be in no mood to show UQ any leniency on Saturday.

The Pies will be keen to celebrate a victory at their "Black and White Night" on Saturday evening, details can be found here if you wish to attend a great night on the footy calendar!

Western Magpies vs UQ Red Lions - Oval 7, St Lucia, Saturday June 20 - 2pm

B: Bryce Crossley - Sean McEvoy - Luke Mitchell

HB: Matt Davis - Doug Lawrence - Chris Hunt

C: Brady Allen - Ben Jeanke-Cain - Brodie Easton

HF: Luke Scott (C) - Tom Michael (R) - Cam Copland

F: Riley Easton - Alex Dickfos - Jak Williams (R)

Foll: Dom Beer - Drew Mitchell - Tom Ielasi

Int: Richard Wenham - Hayden Thick - Jae Humphrey - Tim McEvoy