The Western Magpies set up a surprisingly comfortable 46 point victory over Wilston Grange with a sensational opening quarter that saw them hold a 25 point lead at quarter time after kicking against a blustery southerly breeze. The Pies won a vital match at Chelmer on Sunday, 16.11-107 to 8.13-61 to go to third on the QAFL ladder.

Despite the cold blustery conditions the match was a good standard played in front of a healthy home crowd. 

Both sides were missing key players, with the Magpies electing not to risk co-captain Lachlan Woods after a week out with injury and running defender Richard Wenham with soreness and left out winger Brodie Easton from the extended squad and brought in Workman and small forward Matt Thompson.  

After an even opening 10 minutes of frenetic football which netted 2 goals each the Pies broke away with 4 goals late in the first quarter, 2 from the recalled Joel Workman whose forward pressure and work rate was just what coach Glenn Humphrey asked of him. Workman was one of the Pies best in his first match back since early in the season and he finished with 4 goals to more than justify his recall. 

The Magpies pressure at the contest and support to each other was first class and their use of handball close in to open up play was a highlight. 

The second quarter was more of an arm wrestle but the Pies withstood everything the Gorillas threw at them and went in at half time 6 goals up. 

The visitors snapped 2 quick goals immediately after halftime to reduce the lead and looked to be working their way back into the match. The Pies back line was under a lot of pressure but withstood the barrage with Luke Scott, Matt Davis, Sean Mewing and Luke Mitchell all working overtime to keep Grange at bay. 

Luke Scott was in sensational form as he took over 20 marks across half back in a dominant display. His reading of the play was exceptional and his clean ball handling and decision making was a highlight of the Pies win.

Val Pope, Sunny Aneet and Ben Jaenke-Cain provided plenty of drive from the midfield and forward pressure applied by Workman,  full forward Alex Dickfos and small forward Jak Williams netted goals which allowed the Pies to go into the last change still ahead by 33 points.

The Magpies largely controlled the last quarter to extend their lead to the final margin of 46 points. 

Dickfos joined Workman with 4 goals, Dom Beer nullified the taller Grange ruckmen and Sean Mewing had his best game of the season with clean handling and plenty of rebound football. Luke Mitchell's attack on the football and linkage out of defence just gets better each match and the return of Aaron Maricic also added to the Pies midfield dominance.

The Magpies host Broadbeach at Chelmer next Saturday and cannot take them lightly after a hard fought win earlier in the year and the Cats exceptional form last week toend ladder leader Labrador's unbeaten run.

Glenn Humphrey – Western Magpies

“In all honestly, I don’t get the game today. It was completely different to how I thought it was going to be, but we were happy we were able to get the ball on the outside and I thought we used the ball a bit better than them.

“When we did get it on the outside, we linked up a bit better, but it was hard work, and the boys worked their way through it.

“Watching the way they switch the ball, and get over to the open side, we made a conscious effort to stop them being able to do that and move the ball through our numbers.”

Western Magpies             6.4 - 40 | 9.10 - 64 | 12.10 - 82 | 16.11 - 107

defeated

Wilston Grange Gorillas    2.3 - 15 | 4.4 - 28 | 7.7 - 49 | 8.13 - 61

Best: L.Scott, L.Mitchell, M.Davis, J.Workman, V.Pope, M.Aneet

Goals: A.Dickfos, J.Workman 4, S.Copland, M.Thompson, V.Pope 2, B.Jeanke-Cain, J.Williams 1