MASSIVE HOME GAME FOR PIES AGAINST RESURGENT BROADBEACH

The Western Magpies have another massive game when they host an experienced Broadbeach Cats side at Chelmer on Saturday.

The Pies sit fourth on the ladder one win behind the third placed Cats and a win to the home team will set them up for a serious assault to finish in the top three of the QAFL at season's end. 

The Pies have made three changes to the side with two forced--Brenton Saunders gets his chance with Redlands after good form recently and Joe Murphy has an ankle sprain while Matt Mazarolle returns to the Reserves after playing his role last week.

Returning are Luke Mitchell from an ankle sprain, Aaron Maricic after missing last week with illness and Jack Goodall returns from Redland.  

The Pies breathed a sigh of relief last Saturday but pocketed the four points and will be keen to resurrect the first half of last week to enable them to match the Cats. 

The Broadbeach midfield brigade has been the main source of their winning run so the Pies midfield will need to be at their best to counter the Cats. Gareth Crawford is back to his best with plenty of hard ball gets in midfield and Logan Murray has hit his straps and also provides plenty of grunt at the contest.

Captain Drew Mitchell rarely has a bad game and in ruck youngster Aaron Highlands continues to match older and more credentialed opponents while Liam Dwyer has also played his part when on the ball and also when pushing forward.  

Charlie Pershouse, recently added to QAFL squad for the interstate match against WA Amateurs next weekend,  has been moved to full back to counter the Cats big forward Mitchell Brewer and he will need the support of the returning Luke Mitchell to mop up as well as inform half back duo of Harry Marshall and David Lewis.

Jack Goodall has been good for the Pies when he returns to play and he will start in the key forward position with Sam Copland and Matt Davis as other forward options. Goodall can also push to defence if needed and gives the Magpies added versatility.

Two rising stars in Billy Johnson and Riley Easton provide the pace and ability to apply forward pressure and leaque leading goalkicker Jake de Winter will likely push forward at some stage to give the Pies some added firepower.

The Magpies will need to bring their “A” gamefor a full four quarters and coach Brydan Morgan will stress the importance of a good start and a consistent effort for the whole 120 minutes.

It may not quite be an eight point game but this match is crucial for both sides as a victory sets up the season while a loss pushes the lower into the chasing pack.

Western Magpies v Broadbeach  at Chelmer on Saturday, June 3rd at 2 pm

B: Jake De Winter,  Charlie Pershouse, Luke Mitchell

HB: Dom Misso, Harry Marshall,  David Lewis

C: Lachie Dennis, Drew Mitchell ©, Chris Hunt

HF: Matt Davis, Jack Goodall, Billy Johnson

F: Sam Copland, Aaron Highlands, Riley Easton

Rucks: Liam Dwyer, Logan Murray

Rover: Ben Jaenke-Cain

I/C: Tom Ielasi, Gareth Crawford, Brodie Easton, Aaron Maricic