Anytime Fitness - Reserves Preview
Andrew Thomson
STRONG LOOKING RESERVES FOR SEASON OPENER
The Western Magpies have selected a strong Reserves team for the season opener at Mt Gravatt.
With Val Pope, Brady Allen, Lachlan Woods and Aaron Maricic in the side, the return of Peter Kilroy and inclusion of strong bodied new players in Nathan Congram, Angus Wyllie and Lucas Jackson and tall winger Luke Brennan the Pies look a handy Reserves team. Ryan Colclough joins as a half forward and he booted 60 goals last season in Toowoomba to add another forward option for the Pies.
Dual Senior Premiership player Sean Mewing is lining up again and with Bryce Crossley, dual Reserves Best and Fairest winner again the midfield general but with more supports this year the Pies will be confident of starting the season with the four points. Youngsters Sam Hartog, Jeremy deRooy, Tristan Dowdy, Kurt Vine and Tom Roderick will all be better this season after being blooded last year and the returning Sempitake Kwizera, Colts best and fairest several years ago, adds some pace around the packs.
With a strong contingent of players in the side looking to push for senior selection, The Reserves outfit will have a hard edge and plenty of hunger to perform.
Coach Des Lashman will be confident his side will start the season well with several seasoned senior players in the side combined with the talented youngsters leading the way.
A look at the players unavailable for this round gives an indication of the depth at the Pies in 2018
Round 1: Western Magpies Reserves v Mt Gravatt at Mt Gravatt on Saturday, April 21st at 11.30 am
B: Angus Wyllie Sam Hartog Sean Mewing
HB: Kurt Vine Brady Allen (Capt.) Peter Kilroy
C: Matt Mazarolle Bryce Crossley Luke Brennan
HF: Val Pope Jeremy DeRooy Tristan Dowdy
F: Tom Roderick, Luke Jackson, Sempitake Kwizera
Rucks: Nathan Congran, Lachlan Woods
Rover: Aaron Maricic
I/C: Ryan Colclough, Alec Parsons, Sam Denys, Brayden Thomas
New players: Angus Wyllie (UQ), Peter Kilroy (UTS Bats), Luke Brennan (UQ), Sam Hartog, Tristan Dowdy, Sam Denys (all Colts) , Luke Jackson (Griffith Uni/Moorooka), Sempitake Kwizera (Collingwood Park), Nathan Congran (Yarroweyah, Vic), Alec Parsons (UQ), Ryan Colclough (USQ, Towoomba)
Not considered for selection:
Jonathon Macanawai (NZ International Rules), Jake DeWinter (back), Jack Goodall (Redlands), Gerard Moore, Sam Parker, Rohan Smith, Rory Johnson, (all unavailable), Gabe McKinnon (thigh), Lochlan McDonald (knee), Monty Vine (thigh), Callum Grant (shoulder), Chris Hunt, Brodie Easton (both underdone), Logan Murray (suspended)