The Western Magpies Reserves had a disappointing loss to Morningside on Saturday. The Pies fielded their strongest team for the year and were looking to cause a major upset at the 10 minute mark of the third quarter when they levelled the scores at  6-3-39 each and had several opportunities to take the lead.

From then on it was all Morningside as the home team booted 11 unanswered goals across the back end of the 3rd quarter and the start of the final quarter to take a 58 point lead before the Pies kicked two late goals to end the match.

The Pies had been on top for the majority of the second quarter and early in the third before inexplicably losing their way. In fact the Pies probably had more inside 50s than the Panthers for the match but the home side were able to capitalise on turnovers to score quite a few easy goals and were deadly accurate in front of goal finishing the match with 17.4

The Magpies lost the midfield battles in the second half which was telling in the final result.  

Captain Matt Hockley led from the front with 6 goals to have 21 goals for the year to be second on the goalkicking table.

Sean McEvoy at full back did everything he could to stem to flow while Riley Easton was busy in midfield with several great chases and tackles which resulted in turnovers.

Bryce Crossley was busy as usual and James Page in his first year of AFL had his best game for the Pies on half back.  Young Monty Vine battled hard in ruck and gave a contest around the ground.

Coach Quentin Johnson was disappointed with the second half as his side lost focus and also lost their structure which resulted in easy Morningside goals.

Positives were the efforts given by McEvoy, Easton and Crossley after being left out of the Seniors this week and the successful return from injury of half back Sean Mewing.

Morningside Panthers 3.2 - 20 | 6.3 - 39 | 12.4 - 76 | 17.4 - 106

defeated

Western Magpies 1.0 - 6 | 5.2 - 32 | 6.3 - 39 | 8.8 - 56

Best: M.Hockley, S.McEvoy, R.Easton, B.Crossley, J.Page, M.Vine

Goals: M.Hockley 6, H.Heath, J.Workman 1