MCCARTHY HOMES MATCH REVIEW - DE WINTER IS HOT AS PIES KNOCK OFF DEMONS
Andrew Thomson
The Western Magpies high leaping and dynamic forward Jakob De Winter has booted 10 goals to lead the Pies to their first win of the year with a comprehensive victory over the 4th placed Surfers Paradise at McCarthy Homes Oval, Chelmer on Saturday.
De Winter was on fire from the time he booted the Magpies' first goal at the 5 minute mark of the first quarter and then kicked a further 2 goals for the quarter. His bag of 10 goals were from a combination of high flying marks, speed and agility at ground level and a couple of easy goals when the Pies were able to get past the Demons' press, leaving him open to run into the square unmarked.
De Winter's haul was the highlight of a comprehensive performance from the Pies as they won by 55 points, 18.7-115 to 9.6-60 in front of a healthy Ladies' Day crowd in perfect autumn weather.
The win boosts the Pies percentage and lifts them into fifth place on the QAFL ladder. The Pies have 4 points but so does last placed Sandgate, who caused a boilover by defeating a struggling Morningside on Saturday, so the ladder is congested after the top 3.
After last week when they lowered their colours, the Pies midfield gritted their collective teeth and fired up and won the midfield battles which gave De Winter and Anthony Corrie plenty of chances to kick goals. Corrie contributed 2 goals but he also worked up the ground and took plenty of marks to then set up a number of Pies goals, including turning the clock back for a bit of a hanger in the 2nd term on the far flank!
Luke Mitchell played more on ball and had arguably his best match for the Pies with over 25 quality possessions and Tom Ielasi again showed poise and class with incisive kicking into the forward line. Dylan Adkins won the hitouts for the Pies and worked hard all around the ground and Gareth Crawford was busy around stoppages, winning some crucial clean breakaways to setup several scoring opportunities.
Aaron Highlands was strong in the key defence post and took some important contested marks to keep the Demons at bay. Luca Winton in defence was solid and played his best game for the Pies to date, with in excess of 10 marks and plenty of rebound. Matt Davis worked hard on his wing and Sam Hartog laid some key tackles at crucial times to stem any hope of a Surfers comeback.
Coach Brydan Morgan was pleased with the pressure his side was able to apply to the contest which forced plenty of turnovers and the ball movement by both hand and foot was by far the best of the season. He was also happy that the Pies kept the pressure on even when the game was well in hand to outscore the Demons 6 goals to 3 in the final quarter.
The win was also particularly pleasing for club sponsors McCarthy Homes who will enjoy friendly bragging rights over Metricon Homes who are a major partner of Surfer Paradise Demons!
The Pies travel to the northern suburbs on Saturday to play Sandgate who are coming off a solid win over Morningside at Morningside. There are absolutely no easy matches in the QAFL and the Pies will be very aware of the danger that awaits them on the weekend.
3.1-19 | 8.3-51 | 12.5-77 | 18.7-115
1.1-7 | 4.3-27 | 6.5-41 | 9.6-60
Best: J. De Winter, L. Mitchell, A. Highlands, L. Winton, M. Davis, T. Ielasi
Goals: J. De Winter 10, A. Corrie 2, J. Goodall, R. Harwood, R. Easton, B. Saunders, K. Reed, D. Adkins