MACK TRUCK MATCH REVIEW - LAST QUARTER FADE OUT LEADS TO EARLY FINALS EXIT

The Western Magpies were overrun in the final quarter by the experienced Morningside to go down by 20 points in the QAFL Semi Final at Yeronga on Sunday.  The Magpies had appeared the better side for most of the clash, but failed to convert crucial chances on several occasions which kept the Panthers in the contest. 

The Pies led by 15 points at the last change and were favoured by the fluky breeze going into the last quarter.  The Pies opened the final quarter with several goal scoring opportunities that may have put the match to bed, but again some gettable goals went begging and the tide turned as Morningside's experienced players lifted to boot 6 last quarter goals to win 14.9-93 to 10.13-73.

It was a disappointing end to a fine season for the Pies as they faded late in both their finals outings.

The Magpies made one change to the side bringing the bigger bodied Matt Garland for Sam Copland. Garland was second ruckman to Dom Beer and both did well in the ruck with Beer playing his best game for some time despite having ligament damage to his right elbow sustained in a first quarter tackle.  Garland also competed well for the Pies,  especially in the first three quarters.

Hayden Thick went back to fullback on the dangerous Kent Abey and despite Abey kicking 5 goals was a fine defender in the match. Richard Wenham and Aaron Maricic were given tagging roles on the Panthers key playmakers and did well but faded as the match went on.

Sunny Aneet played high half forward to apply pressure on the Panther defenders and he was also a good player for the Pies.

The first quarter was a see-sawing battle with Morningside getting the first 2 goals of the match. The Pies fought back with three goals to lead by a point at the first change.

The second quarter saw the magpies get on top in the midfield with Drew Mitchell, Callum Carseldine and Ben Jaenke-Cain getting plenty of the football and pushing the Pies into attack. The Pies pressure at the contest was terrific with several chase and tackles from Lachlan Woods and Aaron Maricic delighting the Magpie supporters. 

The Pies missed several simple chances at goal late in the second quarter that could have seen them open up a 5 goal lead and a late Panthers goal saw the Pies just 12 points up at the long break, after what appeared to be a dominant quarter.

The third quarter was the same as the second as the Pies dominated for long periods but again several squandered chances meant the Pies were not able to put Morningside away.

Tim McEvoy was everywhere in this quarter driving the Pies forward and Doug Lawrence and Sean Mewing across half back were holding up Morningside attacks and driving the Pies into attack on numerous occasions. Mewing had his best game for some time and his run out of half back helped the Pies to 15 point lead at the last change, after some rare forward entries were well converted by the Morningside forwards.

The Magpies had two good goal opportunities early in the last quarter which may have put the game out of reach had they been taken, however Morningside appreciated the generosity of the Magpies with their own quick consecutive goals to get them in touch and with their tails up they proved too strong in the last 15 minutes against the tiring Magpies.

The Pies finished the match with several walking wounded which eventually caught up with them.

Alex Dickfos finished with 3 goals and could have had a few more had he been able to clunk his marks and split some packs.

Coach Glenn Humphrey and his coaching staff were obviously disappointed with the result but proud of the side for the year they have had.

The Magpies finished second on the ladder and this is a big improvement on 2014.  The Magpies at the start of the year were hoping to make the five but to finish second with a 15-3 win-loss record in the home and way rounds was above expectations.

That said the Magpies were confidant they could win both finals and were keen to have a crack at Labrador but just had 2 bad quarters in the finals series--one in each game--which blew them out of the water.

However, the future is bright at Chelmer with the Sherwood Under 17s completing an undefeated season to be crowned Premiers after downing Morningside in the Grand Final at Coorparoo on Sunday.

Glenn Humphrey – Senior Coach

“Simple fact was, we weren’t good enough for long enough.

“We had our chances, we had our opportunities, but we just didn’t take them

“It’s a hollow feeling. We will sit down, get all the wives and girlfriends over here, and go through it all. We’ve been through it all as a group, and we will continue to do that.

“From where we have come from over the last two years it’s been a fair rise for us. We have just got to keep working on it. We are only part of the way to where we need to be.”

Western Magpies        3.4-22 | 6.7 - 43 | 10.11 - 71 | 10.13 - 73

defeated by

Morningside Panthers3.3-21 | 4.7 - 31 | 8.8 - 56 | 14.9 - 93

Best: D.Mitchell, B.Jeanke-Cain, C.Carseldine, M.aneet, A.Maricic, T.Michael

Goals: A.Dickfos 3, A.Maricic 2, T.Michael, B.Jeanke-Cain, T.McEvoy, V.Pope, M.Thompson