24 Fit - Ressies Review
Andrew Thomson
The Western Magpies Reserves posted their biggest win for several years when they defeated a gallant Sandgate by 118 points, winning 29.12-186 to 10.8-68.
The Pies have been decimated with injury over the past few weeks and this has impacted heavily on the Reserves. The selectors included several Under 19s in Liam Reynolds and Ryan Vagne and they did not let the team down and Woodsmen in Andrew Thomson and Kiran Verma saddled up after playing on Friday night to help the club out. All enjoyed the victory.
In addition to the inclusions, regular 17 and 18 year olds in Charlie Pershouse, Jake Farrell, Lachie Dennis and Matt Mazerolle all contributed to the win, with Farrell booting 4 goals and Dennis and Reynolds 2 each.
The Pies were rocked early with injury to the experienced Nick Barling at CHB and winger Hunter Heath, both off early in the second quarter. Barling is expected to recover for next week but Heath will miss several weeks.
However this did not slow the Pies down as the experienced forward duo of Matt Hockley and Todd Billing enjoyed the glut of supply given to them by the midfield duo of Blake McClennan and Chris Devlin. Young ruckmen in Geoff Gibb and Trent Walker are both improving with each match as was their aim when they moved from the Darling Downs to the Pies to further their football education.
Hockley booted 7 goals and he has to be one of the best kicks for goal in the QAFL with a beautiful action and Billing continues to enjoy life as a forward.
McClennan has put together 4 good matches in a row to be in the selectors eyes for a possible call-up to the Seniors and Chris Devlin just keeps getting to the contest all match,, winning plenty of ball in tight and directing traffic.
The Pies will hopefully have several players return to the side for a big clash with the second placed Labrador and a win in this match will put them right back in the hunt for fifth position on the ladder. A loss is not season ending and with coach Craig Allen having his side playing a positive brand of football and enjoying the game they will be a chance of an upset.
Western Magpies 6.3 - 39 | 12.7 - 79 | 22.9 - 141 | 29.12 - 186
defeated
Sandgate Hawks 4.1 - 25 | 5.5 - 35 | 6.7 - 43 | 10.8 - 68
Best: McClennan, Gibb, Hockley, Billing, Devlin, Walker
Goals: Hockley 7, Billing, Farrell 4, Taylor 3, Dennis, Reynolds 2, Walker, Barling, Mazerolle, Burton, Vagne, Devlin, Pershouse 1