Gut Feelings XII - Brought to you by Regis Aged Care Chelmer
Andrew Thomson
the Colts take top billing this week after an emphatic victory over Morningside on Saturday.
Getting back to full strength, the Colts hit their straps and dominated the first quarter with 7 goals to put the match beyond doubt by quarter time. The Pies went on to win against their finals rivals by 68 points, which was a complete reversal for the Pies in their first clash 7 weeks ago when Morningside won by 64 points, a 132 point turn-around.
Coach Dallas Gallagher has welcomed the return of class players over the past few weeks either from injury, Qld State duties or Senior/Reserves duties in Sean Ryan, Cade Scott, Noah Resuggan, Cam Ferguson, Jack Briskey, Darcy Prest and also had a walk-in player in Byron Kohler. With the continued improvement in Lachlan Davies, Lawson Campbell and Cooper Crowell, the Pies are playing with confidence and are well in the hunt for a flag as they expect more players to return in coming weeks.
The Colts play the 3 bottom placed teams in their last 4 matches and if they can also defeat second placed Wilston Grange then they should secure third place and the double chance.
The Woodsmen had a great victory on Friday night at McCarthy Homes Oval over the ladder leaders Park Ridge. The Pies had just 16 players less than an hour before the game before scraping 19 together and trailed early before getting their noses in front at halftime but then trailed by 16 points at three quarter time. But a match winning last quarter surge when the Woodies booted four goals to one resulted in an upset 4 point victory.
You could be forgiven for thinking the wind favoured one end, with nearly all of the scoring at the city end - but this was merely cooincidence in a tough encounter.
The win was all the more meritorious coming up against a genuine senior side who dropped down to Friday night football this season after winning the Division 2 Premiership only last year. Sam Curtis was outstanding for the Pies being released into his more natural midfield role with the presence of hardnuts Judson, Woods and De Nys.
Chris La Burniy was lured from retirement for the game and put in a solid display, while Matty Prior had a beast of a game in defence. Another one of the older brigade, Club President Andrew Thomson put in a tireless effort in the ruck, playing unchanged against much bigger and younger opponents!
The Seniors are still a mathematical chance of playing finals but will have ti win their last 4 matches and rely on other results going their way. The top four teams are already final bound so it is between Mt Gravatt, Labrador and the Pies for fifth place on the ladder. Basically the Pies need Mt Gravatt to win one of their remaining 5 matches (against Labrador) and Labrador to win 2 matches from their 4 games then all three will finish on 28 points and it will come down to percentage to decide fifth place. One loss for the Pies and it is curtains. The Pies will be looking for big wins over Sandgate and Wilston Grange to boost their percentage.
Looking at the Reserves they are basically out of finals contention as the teams above them should all secure enough wins to stay clear of the Pies even it the Pies won all four remaining matches
The club has big day planned this Saturday when the Pies host Sandgate at McCarthy Home Oval at Chelmer. The club's Sportsman's Luncheon with AFL coaching legend David parkin will be held from 11.30am to 2.30 pm.
Parkin was a Hawthorn Premiership captain in 1971 and played 211 matches for the Hawks, winning the club B & F in 1965, and 5 matches for Victoria from 1961-74. He had 1 season at Subiaco in 1975.
His coaching career was Hawthorn (1977-80), Carlton (1981-85), Fitzroy (1986-88) and back to Carlton (1991-2000) for a total of 518 matches coached for 4 premierships.
Parkin had his Grand Final eve premiership predicter with 10 criteria and off-hand I think he only got one wrong over about 20 years.
The Sportsman's Luncheon has been organised by the Grey Magpies Old Boys with Shane Bridley at the helm. Shane has been doing a magnificent job resurrecting the Old Boys Association with support from Terry O'Shea and Greg Adams and re-connecting many past players and officials from a number of different eras
for those interested the club still has a number of 50th Anniversary Commemorative Guernseys for sale at a price of $100 If you are interested in purchasing a guernsey on Saturday please see club President Andrew Thomson at the Sportsmans function. Note that over 1000 names appear on the guernsey with every Senior, Reserves, Thirds and Woodsmen player to play a game from 1968 to 2018 listed on the guernsey.
Last week Gut Feelings mentioned that Maroochydore will be added to the QAFL next year and it is now rumoured that Noosa may also be promoted to the QAFL for next season.
The beautiful Magpies playing surface is looking in a bit of disrepair after a busy season, with the volunteer curators said to be tearing their hair out watching youth and senior teams continually warm up in high traffic and worn areas while the Oxley Road wing remains pristine. You would think the youngsters are allergic to the far wing it sees so little action!
The hierarchy have been able to negotiate access next door on the old Western Districts Oval to reduce traffic in coming weeks, with the u11s and u12s training there - the 14’s and 16’s haven’t yet got the message!
It was great to see big Gerard Moore having a run in the Senior side on the weekend after 6 years between drinks, and the big fella has lost none of his ruck craft. Coming up against the best ruck division in the competition, he more than held his own taking some strong marks and regularly winning the hitouts, particularly around the ground where his strength and nous proved invaluable.