MACK TRUCK MATCH REVIEW - 2ND HALF FADEOUT COSTS PIES

PIES FADE IN SECOND HALF IN LOSS TO LABRADOR

The Western Magpies were unable to go the distance against ladder leaders Labrador on Saturday as they were held to one goal after half time.

The Pies fought hard and had plenty of ball in their forward half but could not break through and put the score on the board against a tough Labrador defence - making it 4 losses from 4 for Western Magpie outfits over Friday and Saturday

The Pies went down by 38 points, 11.9-75 to 5.7-37.  A drizzle fell for most of the match making conditions slippery.

The Magpies hadlate change with Sam Copland recalled to the Brisbane Lions and Rory Johnson coming back into the side.

The standard of footy did not reach great heights as both sides found it difficult to adjust to the wet conditions. The Tigers did it a little better as the Pies ball handling below the knees was not clean enough for this level of footy which cost them at times. A Magpies fumble often gifted the ball to the home team which made the Pies pay on the scoreboard. As well, in wet conditions the Magpies were guilty ofbombing the ball longwhich suited the Tiger defenders.

The Pies were in striking distance at half time and an early third quarter goal put them 6 points down but that was to be the last goal the Pies kicked for the match.

The Magpies struggled in the second half when their most productive onballer Tom Ielasi, who was clean with his ball handling and set up plenty of attacks, suffered a head knock and was forced out of the game.

Harry Marshall at fullback was the Pies best player, keeping his much heralded opponent quiet for most of the match. Liam Dwyer worked hard all match up forward or in ruck and Drew Mitchell won plenty of hard ball in midfield.

David Lewis across half back was again a good player and was swung forward in the last quarter to give the Pies another forward option and youngster Dom Misso on a wing continues to impress with good attack on the ball.

Aaron Highlands in ruck competed all day and is quick to follow up at ground level and is certainly a find for the Magpies this season--he loves the contest!

The Magpies have the bye this week and with a few players with niggling injuries probably comes at a good time. The Magpies host Surfers Paradise at Toowoomba in a promotional match in a fortnight in another big match after the Demons stunned Morningside on the weekend.

Labrador Tigers 2.2-14  6.5-41      8.8-56  11.9-75

Defeated

Western Magpies 1.2-8 4.5-29      5.6-36     5.7-37

Best: H. Marshall, D. Mitchell, L. Dwyer, A. Highlands, D. Lewis, D. Misso

Goals: J. De Winter 2, R. Johnson, G. Crawford, L. Dwyer