PLACE PREVIEW - PIES LOOKING TO BOUNCE BACK WITH KEY INCLUSIONS

There are no easy matches in this year's QAFL and the fourth placed Western Magpies have another big test when they travel down the M1 to take on the third placed Broadbeach in Round 11 QAFL action on Saturday. .

The Pies lost narrowly to the Cats in their round 2 clash in a match that could have gone either way so once again the team that plays four quarters and more importantly for the Magpies,  the team that kicks straight, will take the four points.

Into the team comes ruckman Dylan Adkins back from 6 weeks out with injury as a straight swap for the injured Aaron Highlands and half forward Kale Reed returns after missing last week with a family wedding. 

Boosting the Pies forward stocks is the return of Jack Goodall to centre half forward which will give the Pies a forward target. The Pies in recent weeks have been without a dominant centre half forward and as a result have had difficulty kicking goals and while Anthony Corrie competes hard he is not a monster who can take a big pack mark. The Pies have had to finesse the ball forward which is a high risk strategy but with Goodall back and Jake De Winter overcoming a foot injury and  Lachlan Woods across half forward the Pies look to have more options up forward.

The inclusion of three NEAFL listed players is a boost for the Pies with Doug Lawrence coming in to a key defensive position, Mitchell Stallard onto a wing and Goodall into CHF. Also in is midfield workhorse Gareth Crawford after a short break overseas.

Out go the injured Will Fletcher and Highlands with Aaron Maricic, Logan Murray and Jack Austin all squeezed out and on Stephen Mills goes back to Redland.  

The Pies defence has been keeping the opposition to low scores so have been doing their job with Brady Allen, Luca Winton and David Lewis the standouts in recent weeks and with the inclusion of Lawrence will make Broadbeach work hard for their goals.

Drew Mitchell has led the midfield brigade with hard work and Ben Jaenke-Cain ranges far and wide and Jono Macanawai works hard in tight and it will be these three who will need to get the Pies going forward from the stoppages.

Once again the Pies face a big test but have shown they have been up for the challenge in every contest this season. Being up for the challenge is OK, but the four points are much nicer and the Pies really need the four points in this match.

QAFL Round 11: Western Magpies v Broadbeach at Broadbeach  on Saturday June 30th at 2 pm.

B:  Brodie Easton Doug Lawrence, Luca Winton

HB: David Lewis (vc) Brady Allen  Matt Davis

C:  Luke Mitchell  Ben Jaenke-Cain Brenton Saunders

HF:  Jake De Winter  Jack Goodall  Lachlan Woods

F:   Kale Reed  Anthony Corrie  Riley Easton

Ruck:   Dylan Adkins Drew Mitchell (Capt) Ryan Harwood

I/C: Liam Dwyer, Jono Macanawai, Gareth Crawford, Mitchell Stallard