Reserves nearing full strength
Andrew Thomson
The constantly improving Western Magpies Reserves will be confident of a good showing on Sunday at Chelmer against Wilston Grange Gorillas after again showing improved form with a strong finish against the ladder leading Labrador Tigers last week. The Pies finished full of running in the latter part of the game last week, picking up from recent improved performances and a more experienced lineup.
The Pies will again have several key inclusions for the match and for the first time in 2015, selectors have an almost full list of available player to pick from, with several players now likely to be unlucky to miss out.
Inclusions will include tough half back / midfielder Luke De Nys, small forward Jake Fuentes and lively half forward Matt Green. Another possible starter pending a medical clearance, will be speedster Jake Heard who will be chomping at the bit to return to footy after an extended period of injury including most of the 2014 season and the 2015 season to date.
The Senior lineup has also named an extended bench, with those missing out falling back to the reserves and the experienced Matt Garland will be better for the run after his return from long term injury last week vs Labrador.
The Magpies will be eager to test the third placed Gorillas outfit, with Sean McEvoy adding steel to the defence after an outstanding start to the year in Senior football, and Gabe McKinnon in superb form since his return. Bryce Crossley and Jae Humphrey have also played plenty of senior football in 2015 and add class and experience to a young Magpie outfit keen to cause some headaches in the second half of the year.
Rob Mohr was solid in the ruck last week, and up forward Jake Fuentes will add pace to complement the long kicking Green and key forward / utility Jadan Morton.
Hunter Heath and Ben hooper are both returning to form in the midfield, so the Magpies are now fielding their strongest team this season and will be primed to upset their more fancied rivals.