"Gut Feelings" - a weekly collection of thoughts from influential minds deep inside the nest

"Gut Feelings"

Some deep thoughts from deep in the nest!

• Down again in a tight contest, with 5 losses in 2017 by less than 3 goals - the Magpies will soon start getting on the right side of the ledger in the close ones
• Broadbeach gifted THREE goals by switch kicks that missed targets, and those Cats sure did pounce. Final margin?  THREE goals!
• Who kicked THREE for the Cats? Pies 2008 Premiership player Chook Fowler of course!  He crossed to the Cats after spending 2017 at Southport after a stint in the WAFL where he won a Premiership with West Perth.
• The Pies have a bad habit of playing catch-up footy against the Cats, after both clashes last year the Pies went down after giving away big starts.  On Saturday, the Cats got a quickfire THREE goal start.  Seems THREE not a good number this week, luckily we have the round THREE bye!
• Broadbeach used the footy better than the Pies, and were good on transition.  the Pies lifted their intensity and pressure at the contest in the second quarter, and were rewarded with a half-time lead.
• there were two crucal 11 point plays as the Pies missed simple chances, only for a coast to coast reply to punish the boys in Black & White.
• While the Pies have started 0-2, they have played two contenders, and after narrow losses in games the Pies controlled for large parts - it shows we are up there with the best of them
• Quiet observers suggest the standard of QAFL has gone up a notch or two on the previous two seasons, can't say we disagree.
• Recent heavyweight sides in Morningside and Labrador are also meeting with 'owen and his two mates', combine that with Surfers sitting pretty at 2-zip with quality wins and it shows the comp is evening up and you have to be on your game every week
• This is now news to anyone, but Ryan Harwood is a gun and will only get better - his performance on Saturday was superb with great balance, clean skills in traffic and accurate kicking. the Pies youth will learn plenty from his example
• Davey Lewis is also a bonafide gun and continues where he left in 2017, playing strong consistent football. He backs his judgement and rarely makes a mistake.  Works hard to get back deep in defence when needed and his disposal is top shelf.  In cross-code jargon, he is the Pies quarterback!
• No 'Nuxy' you haven't been forgotten.  Another bloke with AFL level experience, Nux has not been able to get off the leash in the first two matches with some pretty average tight checking that seems to have been noted by everyone but the blokes that matter.  Man handled and ridden into the ground. Though the Pies may be a little guilty of targeting him too often, no doubt something they're aware of.
• The umps certainly have a tough job, but the Pies were certainly on the rough end of the stick in Round 2.  In a 33 minute final quarter, the Pies were still within 6 points at the 30 minute mark, but good tackles went unrewarded, while the boys in black & white had their heads taken off at times with nothing given.
• 'The phantom poster' - another strange one in the 2nd quarter when Nux drilled a set shot through for a clear goal, goal umpire unmoved and ready to signal a goal, Broady players silent only for a field umpire to charge in from 40m and claim it hit the post and overrule a goal umpire in perfect position.  Strange stuff, must have been a phantom post!
• Jake De Winter had 5 goals at the 10 minute mark of the 3rd quarter, but the ball wasn't directed to him much in a tight final quarter.  He's a mercurial player with a certain x-factor around the big sticks.  Despite the exasperation caused to the coaches box when he fails to lead at the footy, he will win the Pies some games this year if he converts the good work of a quality midfield.
• Bit of a worry that the same gent with 5 goals on the weekend is already talking up the end of season trip before he played a game, no problems there as long as he keeps enjoying his footy!
• Another bloke appearing to enjoy his footy is former Captain Lachy Woods, who was terrific for the Reserves on Saturday.  Some trademark bustling contests bright a grin to his face, as well as the Magpie faithful.
• Aaron Maricic looks a bit fitter after 2 rounds, showing his class with 4 snags in the Reserves.  He reads the play well, has clean skills and rarely wastes a chance in front of goal.
• Speaking of the Magoos, what a difference a week makes!  The highly fancies Round 1 side never turned up to play and were comfortably beaten by a quality Vultures outfit.
• Some more handy inclusions in the Easton brothers, Chris Hunt, Rohan smith and Sean McEvoy to a team already containing plenty of senior experience made Des Lashman's side a pretty handy one.
• The Reserves game was a seriously high standard contest, with both teams likely not looking out of place in senior competitions in suburban or country leagues.
• Centre Half Forward is a bit of a problem for the Magpies at the moment, without a big strong marking target prowling the arc, the Magpies don't have the get out of jail option when coming forward, hence getting caught a few times trying to work it forward with precise short kicks.  Plenty of time and options here though, and the brains trust will be all over it.
• Dougy Lawrence wore number 50 in Round 1, and 49 in Round 2.  If he wants to replace De Winter in the #1 guernsey, it should be about 2020 when he gets there!
• We all want whatever Pete Kilroy is having for dinner.  He must have found the elixir of youth as he turns back the clock to be the Pies Reserves best player off half back.  He looks very fit and his ability to play tall or small, along with his trusty left peg driving the Pies forward is an important factor for the magoos.  Killa must be close to 200 games at the Pies and is enjoying his return to Chelmer after 2 years in Sydney and a Premiership with the UTS bats.
• Some big names in the Woodsmen outfit who claimed top spot on the ladder on Friday night, with 2017 Woodsmen Best & Fairest and ex Senior Captain Gerard Moore having a run to get him fitter for a tilt at some senior action later in the year.
• 200 gamer, senior Premiership player and unassuming Club Secretary Gabe McKinnon was spotted being sprayed with water in the post match song on Friday.  While he might be a life member, it was still his 'Woodies debut' and he got the requisite treatment.
• With the return of Andrew Thomson this week, and Mitchell Merritt and Gabe McKinnon also having a kick - the Sherwood Football Club board of Directors is well represented in the Woodsmen outfit!  No word from Chris Dennis, Martin Sinfield or Adam Edwards on when they plan on dusting off the boots!
• Matt Hockley also turned out for the Woodsmen and booted a bag of 6 goals in his 2nd year of Friday night footy where he has largely been deployed in the midfield.  With 2017 competition leading goalkicker and Magpie legend Chris Mihalopouolos set to return this week, there could be a battle to see who is the spearhead, though the playing coach tends to win these arguments....!
• Super recruit Jono Macanawai had a quality senior debut on Saturday, with srong attack on the footy, clean skills and smooth moves in traffic, but in the last few minutes he looked to be running on the spot.  Little wonder, given he played two matches during the week for the NZ national side in Wellington, one of them against the All-Australian u/17 side where the young Aussies were victorious.
• Reserves coach Des Lashman is the quintessential footy person and bleeds black & white (forget about his Richmond allegiances!) Des was forced to make a late change to his Round 1 side, forcing someone out of the side, the unfortunate player being Sean McEvoy.  Lasho had the players in stitches when he thanked Sean for 'volunteering' to step aside - the look on Smacks face told another story, but he backed up and trained hard during the week to earna recall and be a solid contributor (even a goal) in the Reserves round 2 win.
• Magpie #1 supporter Heathy Palmer was the Reserves umpire escort on Saturday and did a fantastic job protecting the men in green.  Heathy loves to join the Magpie huddle to sing the song after a good win, and is a much loved fixture at McCarthy Homes Oval
• The QAFL Colts side coached by Jake Fuentes and Kiran Verma sit atop the QAFL ladder after two strong wins to start the season.  Young Toowoomba product Jayden Johnson booted 5 goals in Round 1 to show some class.
• The players had a 'Wacky Wig' night after the match on Saturday and it is rumoured that Val Pope looked so good, Lsho nearly planted a kiss on him!  Lachy Woods should come before the fines committee for re-using old props, step up your game Woodsy, we've seen that one before!
• Doc Thompson was quick to attend to the Broadbeach Captain on the weekend, patching him up at half-time before he went on to arguably be the difference in the 2nd half.  It was suggested the Doc may have been too kind, but we know with our Doc that he is colour blind when it comes to an injured player!
• Great to see a large contingent of Broadbeach players and officials staying back at the clubrooms for a beer and a yarn after the match, this breaks down barriers between clubs and is good for the game - more of the same please!
• It was heartbreak this week for new recruit Lucas Jackson who has ruptured his ACL after going down early in the Reserves match on Saturday.  a big bodied player who came across from Moorooka this year, Jackson has plenty of upside and provided good key position options for Lasho in the 2s and remains a senior prospect in the future.  All at the Pies wish the big fella good luck in his recovery, and he has the clubs full support.
• This made the Pies win in the 2's all the more impressive considering the loss of Jackson was combined with tweaked Rory Johnson hamstring in the first minute, likely putting him out for close to 6 weeks.

• With the Senior/Colts bye this week, make sure you get down on Friday night as the Woodsmen take on Maroochydoore at McCarthy Homes Oval

Don't forget to let us know next week if you have any 'Gut Feelings' you'd like to include!