Harvey Norman Oxley - Reserves Match Review
Andrew Thomson
SECOND HALF DISASTER FOR RESERVES
The Western Magpies Reserves capitulated in the 2nd half in their match against Mt Gravatt, being outscored 14 goals to 1 after half time.
The Pies were well in the match and had the first 5 scoring shots of the game, unfortunately all behinds but were still within 10 points just before the long break but a controversial Mt Gravatt goal after the half-time siren seemed to take the wind out of the Pies--and as the match continued the Pies were indeed out of wind as they struggled to match the Mt Gravatt players for intensity at the contest and willingness to run.
While fitness could be to blame, players weren’t visibily exhausted as the Vultures had runners everywhere in the 2nd half, and it was a lesson in maintaining intensity and focus for 4 quarters for the young side.
The Pies were a mainly young team withjust a smattering of experienced players and the Vultures looked more experienced with stronger bodies and it told after half time in the warm conditions. Losing big ruckman Monty Vine to injury also didn’t help matters with the young and relatively small side on the park.
The Magpies had most of the early opportunities but a 1-5 return for early dominance resulted in the home team coming back hard to take a quarter time lead. The second quarter was an even contest but the second half was disappointing.
In pleasing signs, most of the best players for the Pies were teenagers with young 17 year old recruit Riley Greene the Pies best with a non stop display across half back and through the middle and with other youngsters in Zane Lovell, Jordan Bonney, Cade Scott and Ethan Sivijs, the youngsters didn’t look out of place despite the heavy defeat.
Zac Collison was busy all match as can be expected playing in defence but he and Sivijs turned back many Vulture attacks.
The Magpies will get a chance of redemption when they are at home to Labrador on Saturday. The Tigers lost a close contest to Morningside.
Vultures 3.2-20 | 6.4-40 | 12.9-81 | 20.12-132
Magpies 1.5-11 | 3.6-24 | 4.7-31 | 4.7-31
Goals: Not listed
Best: Riley Greene, Zac Collison, Zane Lovell, Cade Scott, Jordan Bonney, Ethan Sivijs