WOODSMEN SECURE 2ND SPOT AS FINALS COMMENCE

Western Magpies 3rds/Woodsmen enjoyed a 100 point win in the final round of the home & away season against Ormeau last Friday night.

Resting several key players suffering from niggles, the Woodsmen were still able to show their depth with a strong 22 taking the field as players look to push for selection come finals time.

Apart from a 2nd quarter blip where only 1 goal was kicked by either side, the Woodies managed to control the tempo of the game for the most part, though the Bulldogs did enjoy a period of territorial advantage early in the last quarter that put the Woodies defenders under pressure.

Playing an unusually tall forward line at times, the Woodies were very reliant on marking power up front as if the ball hit the ground, Ormeau would expect to run it out quickly given the relative speed of most of the Woodies forwards!  However, mark the footy they did with Baker and Moore kicking 7 goals each, while other talls in Thomson & Garland also hit the scoreboard.

Darcy McCewen returned to the ruck duties after a long absence due to injury and was impressive with his work rate and his touch around the stoppages has not faded with some quality tap work.  Lochie McDonald continued his recent purple patch of form with plenty of touches and his penetrating kicking a real feature.  Greg Matthews had his best game of the year, and is hitting form at the right time with quality work on-ball as well as plenty of pressure and a good work-rate across half forward.  The only blip on the game was a potential hamstring injury to skipper Sean Toohey after kicking a classic crumbing goal, but while he may miss the first final it doesn't appear serious.

Pleasingly, Sammy Long and Blake Barkley both returned after long layoffs due to hamstring injuries and slotted in nicely to regain some touch ahead of finals.

The Woodies take on ladder leaders Zillmere at Zillmere this Friday night at 730pm with the victor earning the right to a grand final berth.  All Magpie supporters are encouraged to head north to support the boys in the big game, and with a few players away due to family commitments - volunteers for water duties and other assistance would be greatly appreciated!

Woodsmen 20.13 - 133

defeated

Ormeau 3.2 - 20

Goals: Baker 7, Moore 7, Garland 3, Thomson, G.Matthews, Toohey 1

Best: McDonald, G.Matthews, Ness, Moore, Baker, Young