The Western Magpies were overrun by Broadbeach in a high standard contest at Broadbeach on Saturday. The Pies suffered their biggest loss of the season, going down by 26 points, 13.15-93 to 10.7-67. 

At one stage the Pies led by 22 points early in the second quarter and were well on top, but Broadbeach clawed their way back into the match in the latter part off the half to level the scores going into the long break.

The home team got on top in the third term by winning out of the centre and with a couple of big key forwards, including ex-Magpie Matt Fowler, were able to put pressure on the Pies defence which resulted in 5 goals and a 20 point three quarter time lead, which arguably could have been more but for some wayward goalkicking from the Cats. The Pies cut this to 16 points mid way through the final quarter but were unable too close the gap further.

A Broadbeach observer commented he thought the Pies were "playing sore" in the second half which has some merit as the Pies came off a tough encounter the week before. To add weight to this argument was that the Pies opponent a week ago in Morningside coughed up a 5 goals lead to be overrun by Surfers Paradise coming off the bye, just as Broadbeach, with some pacy midfielders and big tall players in the key positions, finished full of running also coming off the bye.

Early in the game the Pies were up and about and booted the first 3 goals of the game. With Kale Reed busy, Ryan Harwood and Drew Mitchell winning the ball out of the centre, Jack Goodall a marking target and Riley Easton applying forward pressure, the Magpies were on top. In fact, until halfway through the second quarter the Magpies were one more goal away from a 5 goal lead, which would take some catching. However, to their credit the Cats re-adjusted and started to get their running game going and moved the ball quickly to an open forward line to boot late goals to even the score at half time.  

Reed was the Pies best player and although the smallest player in the forward line finished with 4 classy goals. Harwood and Mitchell worked hard all game in the midfield and Matt Davis on a wing had his best game of the year with plenty of possessions and some strong contested marks.

Riley Easton kept harassing all match and was also a good linkman going forward while Luca Winton just keeps adding to his resume with another polished and efficient display in defence.  Goodall worked hard as did Mitchell Stallard and Dylan Adkins competed well in ruck his first match back from injury. 

There is no respite for the Pies as they meet old rival Mt Gravatt at McCarthy Homes Oval at Chelmer in a Sunday fixture. The Vultures are second on the ladder but the Pies will be up for the challenge. The Pies will wear a guernsey with an indigenous design on it to commemorate NAIDOC Week with some important ceremonies before the first bounce.

Western Magpies 4.2 - 26 | 6.3 - 39 | 8.5 - 53 | 10.7 - 67

defeated by

Broadbeach Cats 2.4 - 16 | 5.9 - 39 | 10.13 - 73 | 13.15 - 93

Best: Reed, Winton, Harwood, D.Mitchell, R.Easton, Davis

Goals: Reed 4, Lewis, Stallard, Goodall, De Winter, Corrie, D.Mitchell 1