Anytime Fitness - Ressies Review
Andrew Thomson
RESERVES DOWN IN TIGHT CONTEST
The Western Magpies Reserves went down by just 3 points in a high standard match at Palm Beach, losing 7.11-53 to 6.14-50 after a questionable late goal sunk them on the siren. The Magpies Reserves, like their Senior counterparts, were playing catch up football and as is often the case did not quite catch up.
Coach Des Lashman says his side ahd every opportunity to claim the 4 points but some wayward kicking for goal in the last quarter from very gettable shots cost the Pies dearly. the Pies kicked 3.8 in the final quarter, with 7 of those 8 behinds considered relatively gettable shots including multiple set shots from good angles.
The match started in windy conditions which favoured the home side in the first quarter and they quickly went to a 3 goal lead before the Pies got into gear. It was a frantic final quarter with the Pies hitting the front midway through the quarter on the back of goals to Kwizera and Parker, but then failed to drive home their advantage with 5 straight behinds. It was a tough pill to swallow when the winning goal came from an illegal 3rd man up in the ruck, and then a silly 50m penalty - but the Pies only had themselves to blame for not taking their opportunities to put the result to bed when they were peppering the PBC goals.
The Reserves team had two late inclusions with Gerard Moore coming in for Sam Hartog, who was called up to the Seniors for the injured David Lewis and Sean Mewing in for an ill Aaron Maricic.
Both Moore and Mewing were among the best players with the big "G" providing a contest across half forward and reeling in some trademark contested grabs and Mewing strong at half back and setting up several Pies goals. If Moore is able to improve his fitness, he may still have a role to play at Senior level with his contested marking ability showing no signs of rust in his return to Saturday football.
Brady Allen pushed his claim for a Senior recall with a strong game at CHB, youngster Sempatike Kwizera was busy up forward or roving, Val Pope showed glimpses of what we all know he is capable of and Kurt and Monty Vine were also good players.
Young livewire Sam Parker was busy up forward in his debut for the Pies and 18 year old rover Sam DeNys was again among the better players for the third match in a row.
Despite the loss, the match was a high standard Reserves match with both sides displaying some high quality football.
3.2-20 | 3.5-23 | 4.9-33 | 7.11-53
0.1-1 | 2.5-17 | 3.6-24 | 6.11-47
Western Magpies
Best: B. Allen, S. de Nys, G. Moore, S. Mewing, S. Parker, V. Pope
Goals: J. Austin, S. Kwizera, N. Congram, L. Brennan, S. Parker, V. Pope