PLACE PREVIEW - MAGPIES FACE HOT CATS OUTFIT IN FIRST HOME CLASH

The Western Magpies face another tough match when they host Broadbeach at McCarthy Homes Oval at Chelmer on Saturday.

The Pies were narrow 6 point losers in Round 1 in a match they had every chance to win and this week come up against a Cats team which put perennial QAFL powerhouse Morningside to the sword last week.

The QAFL season is shaping as an even competition and the Pies must take advantage of their new look home ground to get on the board with a win.

The Pies made four changes to last week's side, with 2 forced as Will Fletcher and Liam Dwyer gained recalls to their respective NEAFL clubs, young forward Jack Austin goes to the Lions Academy and Riley Easton unluckily makes way for the return of Jake de Winter to the forward set up.

Jono Macanawai, who missed last week when he represented New Zealand AFL in an annual Anzac Day match against the Australian Under 17s in Wellington played on Anzac Eve,  returns to the side..

Macanawai adds some power to the Pies midfield which looks strong. Also in is ex-Pie Sam Copland back from Redland for his first match for the Pies since he injured an ankle in the first quarter in Round 6 last year after booting three goals in a scintillating 15 minutes of football. The Pies will be hoping he brings the same sparkle to his game on Saturday.

Making his Pies debut is key position player Stephen Mills from Redland and he will slot into centre-half back.  Mills has played at Southport and had three years in the WAFL and joined Redland in 2017, so will be a valuable key position addition to the Pies.

Doug Lawrence remains for another week at least and young Aaron Highlands returns to ruck duties.

De Winter adds an x-factor to the Pies forward line and Matt Davis returns to half forward with David Lewis where both started their careers. Coach Brydan Morgan hopes they will provide a spark up forward which was missing last week.

The Magpies look a strong unit but must win the midfield battles  to curtail what appears to be a potent Broadbeach forward line. 

In an intriguing match the Pies home ground may just give them the edge in what is sure to be an absorbing contest.

QAFL Round 2: Western Magpies v Broadbeach at McCarthy Homes Oval, Chelmer  on Saturday, April 28th at 2 pm.

B:     Harry Marshall  Doug Lawrence Luke Mitchell

HB:   Ryan Harwood Stephen Mills  Tom Ielasi

C:     Jono Macanawai  Gareth Crawford Kale Reed

HF:  David Lewis (vc) Matt Davis  Drew Mitchell (Capt)

F:    Jake de Winter Dylan Adkins Lachlan Dennis

Ruck:  Aaron Highlands

            Anthony Corrie  (vc)

Rover: Brenton Saunders

I/C from: Luca Mason, Ben Jaenke-Cain, Luca Winton, Sam Copland

In: Jono Macanawai, Jake de Winter, Sam Copland (Redland),  Stephen Mills (Redland)

Out: Jack Austin (lLions Academy), Will Fletcher (Aspley), Liam Dwyer (Redland), Riley Easton (Reserves)