PLACE PREVIEW - SHERWOOD LOOKING FOR GOOD START IN WET CONDITIONS

The Sherwood match committee have made three changes to their team for their big clash with the undefeated Morningside in QAFL Round 3 action at Morningside on Saturday, with 2 of them forced.

Making his debut will be Colts 2018 Premiership Captain Noah Resuggan after a fantastic pre-season, excellent reserves form and of course three seasons leading the Colts to 2 Grand Finals and a Prelim Final. Another youngster in Jack Briskey, who has one Senior game under his belt from last year has also been included and is an exciting talent a year on.. Also back in is swingman Jack Goodall after missing last week with a nagging injury.

Out are the injured Riley Greene, Riley Easton with work commitments and Aaron Maricic drops back to Reserves after a late call-up last week when Dan Edwards  was a late withdrawal due to injury.

Coach Anthony McDonald no doubt has stressed the need for a good start and to be switched on from the fist bounce after giving Palm Beach-Currumbin a 50 point head start last week before almost hauling them in. The operative word here is "almost" and all too often in the past the Pies have been guilty of playing "catch-up football"

However, this is a new team with a new coach and is a side loaded with plenty of talent  including 3 ex-AFL players, SANFL Premiership star and several Queensland representatives so the Pies have an exceptional side to put together a great season.

It is hard to get a handle on their Panthers opponents, who disposed of Labrador and Wilston-Grange with late bursts and with several players added to their list after the season commenced, getting a handle on their form can be difficult.

Liam Dawson has been on fire with 9 goals in his first two matches and while wet weather is forecast he and Brodie Lumber still have the forward presence and footy smarts to create havoc for the Panther defenders. Claye Beams has shown his class across half forward and poses another threat while Ryan Harwood is another in good early season form. Aaron Highlands has been in fine form in both the ruck and in defence. Riding shotgun will be skipper David Lewis, reigning  Bill Peirce medallist Luca Winton and Will Fletcher moves to half back after two strong games in the midfield, so the Magpies will also add plenty of run and carry to their stout defence

The Pies will miss Riley Easton, who applies forward pressure and in wet conditions would have been handy up forward and on the ball with his grunt work. Caleb Franks on ball has been excellent in tight for the Pies and will need to take over some of Easton’s role and Cade Scott has been terrific at the contest would have been a Rising Star weekly winner in either of his two games if the QAFL were  naming Rising Star in 2020.

With Edwards missing from one wing and Reville the other, the Magpies have taken from both defence and attack to replace them with the ultra consistent and reliable Ethan Sivijs getting a chance up the ground, while Billy Johnson moves from the forward pocket.

Wet conditions will make for a tough hard slog and the team that takes its chances will emerge the victor. Sherwood will be looking to bounce out of the blocks and an early lead will be priceless in the conditions.

QAFL Rd 3: Sherwood v Morningside at Jack Esplen Oval, Hawthorne  on Saturday, July 25th at 2 pm

B: David Lewis (Capt)  Luca Winton  Brenton Saunders

HB: Errin Wasley-Black Aaron Highlands  Will Fletcher

C: Ethan Sivijs  Ryan Harwood  Billy Johnson

HF: Claye Beams - Brodie Lumber - Liam Dawson

F: Noah Resuggan  Alex Mitchell   Drew Mitchell

Foll: Samson Ryan  Tom Baulch Caleb Franks

INT: Jack Goodall,  Jack Austin, Jayden Gallagher,  Cade Scott , Jack Briskey