Gut Feelings XI - a collection of deep thoughts from influential minds deep inside the nest!
Andrew Thomson
3 out of 4 ain't bad with the Seniors, Reserves and Colts all having comfortable wins over old rival Wilston Grange with the QFA ladder leaders The Woodsmen losing to their great rivals Zillmere in a flat performance on Friday night, perhaps a symptom of knowing they are almost guaranteed top spot
The Colts are clear second on the ladder and The Woodsmen still hold first spot with 2 rounds left.
The Seniors and Reserves are both one game outside the five but are playing well enough to push for a finals spot
The Seniors had an ugly win in a scrappy match which did not reach great heights and you could be forgiven for thinking the Pies played poorly, but in fact Grange played a negative brand of football designed purely to limit the margin of defeat
A win is a win and the 4 points keep the Pies in the finals race. Grange coach Nathan Clarke, who also coached the Pies in 2016, played 2 players behind the ball from the first bounce and keep it a tough, tight contest. Pies coach Brydan Morgan decided to man them up so it was crowded Pies forward line. Morgan asked his players to "navigate" through the congestion and they managed to do it often enough to record a solid 40 point victory.
Jack Goodall again starred and he can play back, forward, ruck and now on a wing! Goodall first played with the Pies 5 years ago after he joined Redland and was drafted to the Pies when not selected in the NEAFL team. Jack was a shy boy from Mackay and he would even admit he struggled to fit in at the Pies --after all it was not his choice to play at Chelmer. But over the years Jack has become a fine player and a valued teammate and is enjoying his time with the Pies.
Redland teammate Liam Dwyer is another who has fitted in to the Pies and enjoys playing in the black and white. One thing about Liam is that he gives everything he has got and he works hard whether up forward or in the ruck. He was the Magpies best forward against Grange with three goals and also played well when he had a run in the ruck. Big stretch always looks like he is enjoying himself.
The BG Award is a much prized award for the Magpies and is awarded to the player who puts his body on the line, gives his all for his teammates and shows "Courage and Commitment", just like Brett Gwyther, who the award is named after. BG thought nothing of backing into the pack, taking on players much bigger than himself and was as tough as they come. He played in the 2006 premiership and was the fittest player in the preseason in late 2006 when he fell ill and he passed away in early 2007 with cancer. His passing shattered the club and in his honour the BG Award was commenced. The club regard this so highly there is an honour board for the BG Award and an image of BG is featured at the end of the Sportsmens Bar at the club.
Jake De Winter was held to 2 goals on the weekend to take his tally to 38 goals but closed on leader in ex Magpie Matt Fowler on 40 goals.
The Reserves had a good win and while the team has a sprinkling of seasoned campaigners it was the youngsters who led the way in the win over Grange. Young speedster Sam Parker was in scintillating form and used his pace to create havoc up forward for the Pies and he finished with 4 goals. Monty Vine has found it difficult to establish a permanent place in the side but in the absence of 2 regular ruckman Monty lifted and rucked for most of the match in a lion-hearted effort to be a key player in the victory. Monty's brother Kurt has had several good matches in a row playing across half back. He is not afraid to leave his man to get to a contest and he has developed into a reliable rebounding defender.
The Colts were very impressive in their 31 point win over the Gorillas. Under the lights in front of a good crowd, the Pies were on fire early with clean use of the ball to quickly open up a 4 goal lead. The Colts use of handball in close and then to spread the ball was first class. It was the Pies fleet footed brigade who did the damage with Sam Mehari, Bruce Reville, Sean Ryan and Dan Edwards leading the way. Big forwards Cam Ferguson and Finn Collison were not at their best but they bring the ball to ground to give their smaller teammates opportunities.
Colts are second on percentage but with ladder leaders Broadbeach only having 2 more matches to the Pies 3, the Magpies have every opportunity to finish on top of the ladder.
The Pies Bruce Reville and Samson Ryan are in the Queensland in Qld Under 17 team to play Country Victoria next weekend at Ikon Park (Princes Park, Carlton). Both were good players for the Pies Colts in their strong win over fellow finals contender Wilston Grange last week
The Club will celebrate the 50th year of Senior football with Sherwood fielding its first Senior team in 1968.
2018 is also the 20th year of the Western Magpies ,which was formed in 1999 with current Reserves coach Des Lashman the inaugural Western Magpies coach. The 50th will be celebrated when the Pies host Sandgate at McCarthy Homes Oval at Chelmer on Saturday August 18th. All past players and officials are invited to Chelmer to watch the Magpies in action, with the Reserves starting at 11.30 am.
The celebrations will commence at 6.00 pm in the Sports Bar area and will cost $25 per head for finger food. There will be a couple of speeches and then all attendees can then mingle and reminisce to their hearts content.
To celebrate the 50th, the club has a commemorative guernsey with every player and coach of the club to play one match in either the Seniors, Reserves , Thirds and/or Woodsmen. There are 980 names on the guernsey and it will be worn by both the Seniors and Reserves in their matches and will be available for sale for $100. If demand is great enough more guernseys with preferred numbers can be ordered.
More information about ordering your guernsey and RSVP will be posted on the club's website and facebook page in coming days.