CFMG Capital - 2019 Pre-Season Update

After a successful block of training in late 2018 at the Moorooka Roosters Footy Club, the traveling roadshow that is the Western Magpies 2019 Pre-Season has recommenced with Tuesday sessions held at Yeronga and Friday night sessions held at Kenmore Bears Juniors.

This arrangement remains in place until the ongoing works at McCarthy Homes Oval are completed and ready for handover to the club by the contractors.

Works still to be completed will be the installation of new fencing, new goalposts, new netting, new coaches boxes and hopefully the cherry on top will be a new electronic scoreboard.

Injured or players in rehab are encouraged to attend to seek treatment and advice from the club physio and strength & conditioning staff.

For further information on training times and locations for QAFL Seniors, Reserves, Colts and Woodsmen Football, please contact either of the following:

Club President: Andrew Thomson - president@westernmagpies.com.au -0403 066 382

QAFL Senior Coach: Brydan Morgan - 0423 861 361

Place Player Update - Goodall Signs on with Magpies

Port Douglas product and former Redland Bomber, Jack Goodall put pen to paper before Christmas joining the Magpies as a permanent listed player for the 2019 Season.

Goodall moved down to Redland way back in 2012 to complete Year 12 as part of a footy scholarship program and was also a member of the Gold Coast Suns Academy. Suffering a freak ear injury and some ankle troubles in his early years hampered his progress, but Goodall has played some excellent footy at NEAFL level in both attack and defense, including earning a rising star nomination during the 2016 season for a best on ground performance vs NT Thunder.

Jack is a familiar face at the Magpies, having played regular senior football at McCarthy Homes Oval since 2014 and has been used in a variety of roles at the Magpies from key forward, key defence, ruck duties and even as a tall wingman. Now finding a permanent home in the black & white, he will also be looking to find a more permanent role after being a victim of both versatility and the stop start nature of bouncing between two clubs during a season.

An incredibly courageous player, with a strong work rate - he brings leadership, experience and a strong work ethic to our young group.

McCarthy Homes - 2019 Pre-Season Key Dates & Information

Key Dates - 2019 Pre-Season

All interested players are invited to attend the 2019 Western Magpies Pre-Season information session and subsequent training. Past and present players encouraged to attend, as is any player from the wider Brisbane region looking to test themselves at QAFL and QAFL Colts level in 2019.

630PM - Monday 19 November - Information Session

Location: Sherwood Football Club, 41 Chelmer St East, Chelmer

• Outline of pre-season, important dates & expectations

• Introduction of coaching staff

• Introduction of other club personnel

• Introduction of club physio staff, strength & conditioning staff

• Planning of individual fitness programs

600PM - Tuesday 27 November - 1st Training Session

Location: Alexander Park, Moorooka Football Club, 334 Beaudesert Road, Moorooka

This is the first footy session ahead of the 2019 season, please do your best to get some conditioning into your body to both prevent injury and so sessions are high intensity and valuable for the season ahead.

Training will be every Tuesday until the Christmas Break.

Due to the field upgrades at McCarthy Homes Oval (Sherwood Football Club), training will be at Moorooka until otherwise advised, but we expect to be back at home well in advance of the 2019 season commencement.

Coaching & Footy Department Vacancies

It’s exciting times at the Western Magpies going into season 2019, with the senior side moving into their 3rd year under coach Brydan Morgan and showing huge improvement from a young list in 2017/18, the Reserves returning to finals again in 2018 after winning 8 of their final 9 games and the Colts delivering a Premiership after a runners up finish in 2017. Even the thirsty all 3rds managed a Grand Final appearance in 2018 - so the club is brimming with talent across the board.

If you’d like to be involved in a richly rewarding club environment where the high performance culture is balanced beautifully with a fantastic community feel, family friendly environment and a fantastic group of players looking to improve their footy every time they set foot on the track, then contact us via email president@westernmagpies.com.au or 0403 066 382

COACHING POSITIONS AVAILABLE:

Senior Assistant & Line Coaches - QAFL Seniors

Coach - QAFL Reserves

Coach - QAFL Colts

Coach - QFA Division 4 (Woodsmen)

FOOTY DEPARTMENT POSITIONS AVAILABLE:

Senior Football Director/Manager

This can be a role that includes a position as a Director of the Sherwood Football Club Limited, with the primary portfolio of Senior Football, or can be a Football Manager role looking after Senior Footy and reporting into the Board of Directors. The decision will sit with the candidate in relation to these two options.

For details on the role email president@westernmagpies.com.au

Match Day & Training Volunteers

Many hands make light work, so if you’d like to be involved in football at the Magpies and be part of a fantastic team environment, put your hand up to be part of the Magpie Volunteer Army.

It could be on a weekly basis, or just one day or even one hour of the year. Help is always appreciated and recognised at the Magpies.

Water carrier, time keeper, property steward, selling raffle tickets, manning the BBQ, scoreboard operator, cleaner and so much more.

If you feel like getting involved, even just once a year - contact president@westernmagpies.com.au to register your interest

Vale - Leslie Graeme Franzway

It is with great sadness that the Sherwood Football Club acknowledges the passing of long time member, supporter and former player Leslie Franzway who died suddenly on October 12.

Les was a Windsor-Zillmere Junior who made the move to the local area to play his senior football with Sherwood after forming some friendships with many of his Sherwood opponents in his youth.

Les was a strong centre-half-forward with a great set of hands and a beautiful kick, playing many years of Senior football with the Magpies in the 1970’s. An unfortunate accident resulting in Les suffering serious burns saw him miss 2-3 years of football before again returning to play in the early 1980s.

Upon retirement from playing Les remained at the club in various volunteer administrative roles and formed part of the selection committee for many years.

Most recently, Les has been a regular at all Sherwood home games for the past decade, taking a very keen interest in the progress of his Magpies.

Past teammates, friends and members of the Sherwood Football Club community are are invited to attend a service for Leslie which will be held at The Church of The Twelve Apostles, 111 Yallambee Road, Jindalee on Wednesday, 24th October, 2018 commencing at 12noon.

PLACE PREVIEW - BILL PEIRCE MEDAL TO REWARD CONSISTENCY

The Bill Peirce Medal will likely reward consistency this year, in what was a transitional year for the Magpies Senior side. A youthful 2017 team added some experienced recruits and new faces to the 2018 side as the game plan and team structure evolved.

The best & Fairest medal is named after club legend Bill Peirce, the clubs first Grogan Medallist, captain/coach for 2 years, captain for a further 6 years, dual Best & Fairest Winnder and 5 time Premiership Player. Billy is estimated to have played over 800 games representing Sherwood from U/7’s onwards and estimates he won well over 10 Premierships including many undefeated years in a dominant junior side. A he once put it, “I never actually retired, I eventually just stopped getting picked!”

Warm favourties would have to be Ryan Harwood, skipper Drew Mitchell, QAFL Rising Star winner Riley Easton and returning club junior Luca Winton. Four hugely contrasting players given where they came from in 2017.

Harwood in 2017 played 9 of his 81 Senior AFL games for the Brisbane Lions, Magpies skipper Drew Mitchell was the joint winner of the 2017 Bill Peirce Medal, Riley Easton was finding his feet again in QAFL Footy after a tough run with injury and Luca Winton played in a Kedron side who took the Wooden spoon in QFA Division 2 Footy!

Coming from such varied 2017 seasons, ranging from AFL footy to QFA Div 2 wooden spooners - these four were arguably the standouts for the Magpies in 2018. Harwood delivering on what was expected of a prized recruit, Mitchell again leading from the front in the midfield, Easton showing what everyone knew he had before injury struck and Winton the surprise packet as the returning Sherwood club junior cementing himself as one of the first picked each week in a break out season returning to his home club.

Winton in particular was the story of the year, strong pre-season training form and a great attitude demanded an opportunity in practice matches and he just went from strength to strength, arguably not having a bad game all year. Good judgment, clean handling below the knees and a willingess to leave his opponent to go third man up were features of his play.

Meanwhile, Easton slowly found his way early in the year as he worked his way back to full fitness and confidence in his body, before exploding later in the year to be a runaway winner of the QAFL Rising Star and a key player for the Magpies with his work around the ball and tackling pressure and absolute highlight for the Magpie faithful.

Magpie fans where obviously expecting big things from Harwood, and after taking a few weeks to pick up the different tempy of QAFL Footy he began to deliver with some absolute standout games despite getting plenty of close attention and zero protection from the men with the whistles. Also important was that Harwood embraced the club and the Magpies culture to be a hugely popular edition at ‘the Berg’.

Other dark horses in the mix could include David Lewis, while last years 3rd place getter Tom Ielasi likely cost himself a true shot at it due to a mid-season break. Both Jake De Winter and Anthony Corrie were strong up forward, but a comination of missed games through injury and suspension and some quiet weeks may see them competing for a Top 5 place. Kale Reed was consistent hitting the scoreboard, while Jack Goodall will likely suffer from playing too much NEAFL footy for Redlands.

It promises to be an exciting count and a great night celebrating 2018 with other key perpetual awards to be given including:

Joe Schaffert-Kevin Garner Memorial Trophy - Most Consistent

Russell Green Trophy - Coach of the Year

Barry ‘Phantom’ Johnstone - Senior Club Player of the Year

last but not least the prestigious BG Award

CFMG Capital - John Burkitt Medal Preview (Reserves B&F)

The JB (John Burkill) Medal honours a long serving trainer for the Magpies during the 1970s through to the 1990s. There was nothing ‘JB’ would not do for the club and "his boys" and he was also a confidante and mentor for many players at the Magpies during his long service to the club.

JB was awarded Life Membership of the club in 1977.

The JB Medal for Best and Fairest is a wide open field, with veterans, youngsters and new faces all in the running after the Reserves enjoyed a fine season in 2018.

Peter Kilroy in his 19th season of senior football and 16th year at the Pies has turned back time to have an outstanding season either on a wing or half back flank, He was certainly the Magpies most consistent performer all year and only missed one match during the season so has plenty of opportunities to poll well. Kilroy has played about 300 matches in the Black and White in Senior, Reserves and Colts football. 

Chris Hunt was also a model of consistency in defence and he was the defensive general for most of the year. Hunt has a Senior Runner Up B & F in 2014 under his belt and except for shift work preventing him training regularly, may have pushed harder for Senior selection this year.

Gerard Moore was another veteran who played a solid season and he was among the best in each game he played, whether up forward or in the ruck. He missed a few games due to work commitments but will be right up there in the voting to be a chance to add to his Nipperess Medal from last year when playing for the Woodsmen.

Val Pope spent the entire season in the Reserves and should poll well, but likely missed too many games mid-season due to work commitments.

Newcomer Nathan Congram was also a fine player and rucked his heart out in every match he played. He will also poll well but whether he had enough big voting games remains to be seen, despite being a model of consistency and effort. Youngsters in livewire Sam Parker and consistent performer Lachie Dennis will also be in the mix, though Dennis having played 9 senior games will likely fall short despite being superb in the midfield when playing Reserves footy.

Other consistent performers whop should feature include Brodie Easton and Zach Collison.

Who is your tip for the 2018 JB Medal?

Anytime Fitness - Maurie McNamee Medal Preview (Colts Best & Fairest)

The Maurie McNamee Medal honours one of the founding fathers of the Sherwood Football Club.  Maurie McNamee helped form the club in 1956 and was the first coach of the club in 1957, coaching an Under 14 team, and was also the first coach of the Senior side when the club first fielded teams in 1968. He was the first Life Member of the club, awarded in 1964.

Maurie was a Collingwood supporter and when the club's colours and emblem were discussed it was no-brainer for Maurie that Sherwood would become the Magpies!!

McNamee was involved with the club for 50 years until his passing in 2006. 

In a Premiership year for the Colts, its expected to be a hot field and a tight contest. 2017 winner Jacob Sheath suited up again for a consistent season, missing just one match and playing a quality brand of footy through the midfield. Utility player Dan Edwards was also a solid contributor throughout the year, being named in the bests regularly through the year and showed a touch of class when the game was on the line.

Ruckman Samson Ryan should poll well, but missing several games throughout the year could prove costly in his challenge, while 2nd year Skipper,Noah Resuggan was a model of consistency throughout the year. Bruce Reville and Deng Arok were also influential players on a regular basis and could certainly challenge.

It’s a hot field, with Zane Lovell, Cam Ferguson, Ethan Sivjis and Finn Collison also not without a chance - though playing some reserves football may reduce the chances of the latter two.

It will be a hotly contested count that likely won’t be decided until the final round of voting.

Who is your tip?

Genuine Garage Door Solutions - Warren Selvage Awarded 2018 AFLQ Merit Award

WARREN SELVAGE AWARDED 2018 AFLQ MERIT AWARD

Sherwood legend and Life Member Warren Selvage has been awarded the AFLQ Merit Award, which  is the highest honour awarded to volunteers who have provided 10 or more years of outstanding service to community football. AFL Queensland awards two Merit Awards each year.

Selvage played over 200 Senior matches for the Magpies and was a key player in the Magpies 8 consecutive Premierships from 1975 to 1982 and was captain-coach of the 1981 and 1982 teams. He continued his involvement in AFL when he moved to North Queensland for a couple of years then to the Sunshine Coast where he now resides. The ultimate big game player, amazingly Selvage played in 9 Senior Grand Finals for Sherwood and won 9 Premierships.

He also served on the committee of both Northshore Jets at Maroochydoore Roos to extend his involvement in football in a volunteer capacity.

Warren continued to contribute to his beloved Sherwood as he and his brothers financed the publication in 2011 of the history of the Sherwood DAFC, “In Black and White” which was written by Tony and Geraldine Massey. Copies are still available if anyone wishes to purchase a copy at $25.

Warren and his brothers Rod and Michael and their families also financed the erection of the club’s main honour board last year, which was named in honour of their parents Ian and Ailsa Selvage, who also made a significant contribution to the club, with Ian President for 8 years in the 1960s and 1970s and a Life Member and Ailsa heavily involved in the social side of the club.

All at Sherwood and the Western Magpies salute Warren on his well deserved award to honour a true servant of our great game.

AFLQ Story which appeared on AFLQ website

The top volunteer honours of the year, the AFL Queensland Merit Awards, were given to Warren Selvage and Peter Margetts.

Selvage, a Sherwood Magpie Junior in the 1960’s, went on to play in a prolific nine Premierships for their invincible Senior side in the 1970s and 1980s. He added two more to his tally when he moved to Townsville and played for the Currajong Blues.

At the completion of his playing career Selvage took up the umpiring whistle, then went on to contribute to the Sunshine Coast AFL community as an administrator in the early 2000’s. Among many other achievements he stood as President from 2013 to 2016 and was a member of the AFL Queensland Advisory Board for South East Queensland Juniors.

Of Selvage’s contribution to the game, Barry Gibson, AFL Queensland State Football Operations Manager said, “During the early years of Sherwood’s amazing Premiership era Selvage coached junior teams and served on various committees. In 1981 and 1982 he was the Captain-Coach of the club’s last two Premierships in the SQAFA.”

“With over 50 years service to Queensland AFL, across numerous regions and levels of the game, Warren is a deserving recipient of our most prestigious volunteer honour.”

Coopers - Nipperess Medal Preview (Woodsmen Best & Fairest)

Our first preview of the week will be the Nipperess Medal, which will again be awarded to the Woodsmen Best & Fairest on Friday night.

The Nipperess Medal is named in honour of Laurie Nipperess, Craig Nipperess and Dean Nipperess. Laurie played all his junior football at Sherwood, but a promising career was cut short by 2 knee reconstructions before his 21st birthday. He then spent the next 20+ years serving in various roles at the Sherwood Footy Club including team manager for the soe of the great Magpie sides of the 70’s and 80’s. Laurie was instrumental in getting 3rds football going at the club again in 2007 and was the founding President of the Woodsmen when AFL Queensland forced the formation of a 2nd club to keep the 3rds team going. Craig Nipperess was a 3rds player in 2007 and 2008, however the promising junior soccer star suffers from a dehabilitating back injury that has since put him in the ‘break glass in case of emergency’ box, racking up 5 or 6 appearances over the last 7-8 years. However from 2009 to 2018, Craig has been a constant of the Woodsmen, missing less than 10 matches over that time as the trusty team manager, volunteer coordinator, runner, scoreboard attendant, goal umpire, boundary umpire, umpires escort…you get the picture, you name it, he’s done it! Some coaches over the years may say calling him the runner is generous, preferring ‘yeller’ or ‘walker’, but the message eventually makes its destination! Finally, younger brother Dean was the star footballer that preferred to simply play 3rds with his mates. Dean was a star Colts player at the Magpies, then had approximately 5 seasons of 3rds footy where he was a dominant force in the forward line before giving the game away in his early 20’s. Kicking bags of 10+ on a regular basis, including 8 in the 2007 Grand Final and a potent 1-2 combo with Magpie Legend Adam Gillespie in the 2009 Premiership side.

Yet another first time winner is likely from a strong field of contenders, with perhaps Sam Curtis as the only former winner in the picture after 3 consecutive top 2 finishes including a win in 2016. Curtis again had a solid and consistent year in midfield, but this season was joined by a significantly improved midfield depth to lighten his load. This support came from ball magnet Chris Judson in his first season with the Woodsmen, who played more than a supporting role in what was an outstanding season that should see him in the mix at the pointy end of the season. While Ben Ness should poll well, particularly on the back of a late season surge in form.

Up forward, Matt Hockley was a consistent performer to win the league goalkicking award with 50 snags, while Shayne Baldwin was superb, but like Sam Banim, will likely be hurt buy missing several games during the year.

Another consistent performer and proven vote winner is Chris Davis, with several placings in recent years along with Club President Andrew Thomson who was runner up to Gerard Moore in 2017. Both Davis and Thomson poll well with the umpires and will be looking to win their first Nipperess Medal on the night.

The two biggest darkhorses of the night will be the ever reliable and consistent Tommy Roderick and the old warhorse David Jackson who should poll several BOG performances. Both will also be hampered by missing several games early in the season.

It’s a strong field, and should be an exciting count. Interestingly, there are no dual winners of the award to date, so Curtis could set a new benchmark if he takes home the gong.

Last 5 winners:

2017 - Gerard Moore

2016 - Sam Curtis

2015 - Chris Mihalopoulous

2014 - Reid Dobson

2013 - Jay Baker

MCCARTHY HOMES MATCH REVIEW - COLTS WIN 2018 PREMIERSHIP

MAGPIES WITHSTAND THE PRESSURE TO TAKE THE FLAG

The Western Magpies Colts were superb in winning the QAFL Colts Premiership with a hard fought win full of character and self belief.

The Magpies were challenged by Palm Beach-Currumbin three times during the match but on each occasion stuck to the task, going on to win by 22 points, 12.19-91 to 9.15-69.

The Magpies deservedly finished as Minor Premiers with only 2 losses throughout the year and with two solid wins against PBC in the latter half of the season started the match as warm favourites. However, if they thought it was matter Of just turning up to win the Premiership, the Lions soon put those thoughts to bed with a strong start to put the Pies under pressure with a three goals to one quarter. In warm weather and a slightly fluky breeze at Yeronga, PBC were up and about early and signalled this was going to be a typical Grand Final with no quarter asked and none given.

The Pies lifted their intensity in the second quarter and started to match their opponents in midfield and with more opportunities the Pies booted four unanswered goals to go in at halftime with a handy 14 point lead at the long break. One of the goals was a 55 metre bomb from Jacob Sheath which lifted the Pies supporters out of their seats. 

There was plenty of work still to be done as  at half time coach Jake Fuentes stressed to his players to keep playing as a team and to lift their intensity by another 5 percent.

The Pies booted the first 2 goals of the third quarter after a strong Jayden Johnson pack mark and a Finn Collison goal from point blank range after a high shepherd against him. The Pies went to a 26 point lead and looked to have one hand on the Premiership Cup having now kicked 6 unanswered goals.

At this stage the Pies had kicked 6 goals in a row but PBC were stirred into life and hit back to be 12 points down at the final change and PBC went into the huddle with the momentum and they soon hit the front to lead by a point at the 10 minute mark of the final quarter after kicking 2 early goals to make it 6 of the last 8.

This was the third time the young Magpies had been challenged but despite a number of players cramping in the warm conditions, they went up another notch and peppered the goals but were only able to record a succession of 6 behinds in a row. It was stated on the sidelines that the Pies were giving a lesson on how to lose a Grand Final but after some nervous moments when the Lions had the ball in their forward line for a number of minutes big Cam Ferguson managed a remarkable goal for a 200cm big man carrying a bung knee when he gathered a ground ball and snapped truly to put the Pies 11 points clear.

After more pressure from PBC, Ryan Cherry was able to break through the middle of the ground and with a bursting run and bounce was able to kick from inside the centre square to an open goal and watch the ball  wobble and  bounce through the middle to give the Pies further breathing space. The Pies faithful roared with relief as much as delight as this goal was the clincher. 

A late goal to Dan Edwards iced the game but not before some unsavoury acts from some PBC players soured the last few minutes of the game.

Speedster Sam Mehari was named Best on Ground and with Deng Arok on a wing they both were up and about early and brought the energy the Pies needed to withstand the Lions early onslaught. Both applied plenty of pressure on the ball carrier and were able to use their pace to launch Pies attacks.

Samson Ryan in ruck was tireless and ran all day, skipper Noah Resuggan was hard at the contest up forward, Bruce Reville showed his class when the game was in the balance with several telling possessions despite a heavy tag, Dan Edwards was busy in midfield, Ryan Cherry was strong across half back with Ethan Sivijs and Chris Moloney also solid down back and Jacob Sheath was able to shake a close tag to win some influential possessions.  

The spirit of the Pies was epitomised by ruck-rover Zane Lovell, who hurt an ankle early but returned to the fray in pain but he laid several big tackles in the second half to keep the PBC defenders on their toes.

Coaches Jake Fuentes and Kiran Verma have moulded together a Premiership team with a mix of players from Sherwood, Kenmore, Jindalee, Springfield, Toowoomba, Dalby, Warwick and Yeronga. It only emphasises that the Western Magpies is the destination club for players from the western suburbs and Darling Downs who wish to play at the highest level in the QAFL. 

This was the Magpies seventh flag in highest level Colts competition available in the past 22 years which underlines the strength of the Western Magpies development program over that time.

PLACE PLAYER UPDATE - CLAYE BEAMS SIGNS ON FOR 2019

The Western Magpies are pleased to welcome former Brisbane Lion, Claye Beams to McCarthy Homes Oval for the 2019 QAFL Season.

Beams was first rookie listed by the Lions in the 2009 Rookie Draft and went on to play 54 Senior AFL Games, winning a Rising Star nomination in Round 1, 2012 for a 25 disposal and 5 tackle effort against Melbourne. Beams joined the Lions in the same draft as good friend and current Magpie player Ryan Harwood. Both players live locally to the club and have existing connections.

A talented junior sportsman, Beams played several years of First Grade Cricket on the Gold Coast before returning to footy, only to be drafted off the back of just half a season in the 2009 QAFL Competition. Despite playing 54 Senior Games, Claye is also a multiple NEAFL Premiership player for the Lions Reserves and won the Joe Grant Medal for Best on Ground in the 2012 NEAFL Premiership, while he captained the 2017 NEAFL Premiership side.

Beams will fit nicely into an improving Magpie outfit who were unlucky not to play finals in 2018 after having the 2nd best defensive record in the competition as well as the 2nd best offense. An inability to close out close games proved costly in the end, and with the addition of another experienced player with big game experiences, the Magpies will be looking to overcome the demons of 2017 and 2018 where they went 1 from 11 in games decided by 15 points or less to finish 6th in both seasons.

An interview and further story still to come.

BILL PEIRCE MEDAL & SENIOR PRESENTATION NIGHT

The 2018 Bill Peirce Medal will be awarded on Friday 12 October. We will feature plenty of previews this week as the count approaches.

Full Senior Presentation Night will also include all major awards including the JB Medal for Reserves B&F, the Maurie Macnamee Medal for Colts B&F and the Nipperess Medal for the Woodsmen B&F.

PLACE PREVIEW - MAGPIES NAME FULL STRENGTH SIDE FOR GRAND FINAL

The Western Magpies Colts go into the QAFL Colts Grand Final at Yeronga on Saturday as a complete unit, with basically a full strength squad to pick from, resulting in a very strong 22 and some hard luck stories at selection as a result.

The Pies have won the  last two encounters between the sides with a 33 point win in the wet at Currumbin a fortnight ago and a 43 point win in Round 14 at McCarthy Homes Oval at Chelmer. 

The Lions bounced back from their recent loss to win easily over Wilson Grange in the Preliminary final so the Magpies will be in for a tough battle if they are to triumph in the Grand Final.

The Pies have made one change to the side that won a fortnight ago with half forward Abdullah Haddad recovering from a fractured cheek a month ago to take his place back in the side. As is often the case in a Grand Final, there is selection heart ache and in this case it was half forward Lachlan Pearson who made way after a fine season.

The Pies midfield have been dominant this year and they held sway a fortnight ago. Ruckman Samson Ryan has been a consistent performer and polled well in the QAFL Colts B & F despite missing many games due to representative duties. Jacob Sheath has been consistent in midfield and Zane Lovell has had a good 2 months of footy with strong play around the packs. Skipper Noah Resuggan is often overlooked in the best players but he leads from the front and he can rotate through the midfield and when forward offers another option. Rover and small forward Sean Ryan is a smart footballer and uses his pace to advantage.

Other speedsters around the middle of the ground include Bruce Reville, who just looks like a class act with pace and clean ball handling skills, Dan Edwards who work hard both ways and Deng Arok, who also polled will in the QAFL B & F.

Up forward big men Cam Ferguson and Finn Collison provide the tall targets and if they don’t mark they bring the ball to ground where Ryan, Resuggan, Sam Mehari and the returning Haddad love nothing better than to swoop on the loose ball in search of goal kicking opportunities. The Pies forwards also work hard to apply forward pressure when they don’t have the ball with a number of players with pace to harass opposition ball carriers.

The defence has been generally miserly this year and work well together as a unit. With key position defenders Whitlam Bishop and Chris Moloney rock solid all year and with the medium sized flankers in Chris Jenkins, Aiden D’Roza, Charlie Thorpe and Ethan Sivijs, the Pies have a well-oiled back half.  The midfield also work hard defensively so the Magpies will make their opponents work hard for their goals.

A large number of the Pies players featured in last year’s Grand Final and will know a good start and scoreboard pressure are vital if a Grand Final is to be won. This was proved a fortnight ago when the Pies got on top early and coaches Jake Fuentes and Kiran Verma will be stressing to their players that the pressure does ramp up in the premiership decider and to be ready to embrace it, win the early hard ball get the side away to a good start.  

the coaching and leadership group have moulded a tight knit group of young men who play the game in the right spirit and are also good citizens off the field and great clubmen.

The Pies start favourites but this does not count for much on Grand Final Day and the young Pies will need to bring their best to overcome what is expected to be a strong PBC challenge as the Lions begin there day looking for Premiership Glory in all 3 grades.

QAFL Colts Grand Final: Western Magpies v Palm Beach-Currumbin at Yeronga on Saturday September 22nd, 2018 at 09.00am.

B:    Chris Jenkins (vc)  Chris Moloney Charlie Thorpe         

HB:  Aiden D’Rosa  Whitlam Bishop (vc)  Ethan Sivijs

C:    Dan Edwards Jacob Sheath  Deng Arok

HF:  Jayden Johnson  Cameron Ferguson Sam Mehari

F:    Noah Resuggan (Capt) Finn Collison Sean Ryan

Foll:  Samson Ryan Zane Lovell Bruce Reville   

I/C: Jacob Aurich,  Abdullah Haddad, Ritti Batilimoyo, Ryan Cherry

In: Abdullah Haddad

Out: Lachlan Pearson (omitted)  

Emerg: Lachlan Pearson, Harrison Radcliffe, Harry Keenan, Cooper Crowell, Tom Slatter

Unavail: Mitchell O’Dea (fractured clavicle)

Regis Aged Care - Gut Feelings XVI

• The Colts were fantastic in the semi final in wet conditions to defeat Palm Beach-Currumbin on their home ground. The Pies executed wet weather skills brilliantly on the smallish Salk Oval and it was really a class display in unfamiliar rainy and muddy conditions.

• The Pies established the ascendancy early and after going to a three goal lead early were able to maintain control of the game to advance to this week's Grand Final, ironically against Palm Beach again after they defeated Grange in the Preliminary Final

• Coach Jake Fuentes and his Assistant Kiran Verma have developed a team first ethos and the Pies share the footy and play a very team orientated brand of football.

• They have an impressive hand and foot skills and work hard at the contest then run hard offensively and defensively.

• There are few if any weaknesses in the side with a tight knit defensive unit headed by CHF Whitlam Bishop, FB Chris Moloney and tough and skilful half backs in Chris Jenkins, Aiden D'Roza, Charlie Thorpe and Ethan Sivijs.

• The midfield is headed by Jacob Sheath with Deng Arok and Dan Edwards on the wings to provide plenty of pace through the centre of the ground. Sheath, last years Maurie McNamee Medal winner has been a model of consistency again this year and he loves the contest and uses the ball very well.

• Samson Ryan has been a revelation in ruck with brilliant tap work giving his on ballers better than even chance to win the ball. Sean Ryan, Zane Lovell, skipper Noah Resuggan and the silky Bruce Reville form a very strong engine room with toughness combined with polish.

• Up forward big men Cam Ferguson and Finn Collison don't mind crashing the pack and if they don't mark the football then the likes of Jayden Johnson, Sam Mohari and Ritti Batilimoyo are ready to pounce on the loose ball.

• Last match the Pies had some good players starting on the bench which gives the side plenty of depth. Strong bodied Jacob Aurisch and Ryan Cherry provide options forward or back and Lachlan Pearson can be dangerous up forward.

• The QAFL Grogan Medal count was held at the Gabba on Sunday evening where Riley Easton was the winner of the 2018 QAFL Rising Star, Jake de Winter won Mark of the Year and Ryan Harwood was surprisingly the only Magpie in the QAFL Team of the year.

• Former Magpie favourite sons Jimmy Rozynski and Luke Scott met Newbridge in the Loddon Valley League Grand Final where they went down by 44 points. In true Rozynki fashion he was one of his sides best, but to show its a small world - he was up against current Club President Andrew Thomson’s cousin in Jack Fowler who was named best for the Premiers on the day after a superb performance in the midfield.

• The Loddon Valley League is located to the north and west of Bendigo about 2 hours drive from Melbourne. The Queensland boys flew to Melbourne early each Saturday morning to then drive to matches then drive back to Melbourne on Saturday night and catch a red eye home.

• Another ex-player in a Grand Final was Joel Workman who lined up for Park Ridge Pirates when they defeated Beenleigh Buffaloes in the Division 2 Grand Final at Yeronga on Sunday.

• While on past players popular ex-Pie Matt "Clock" Thompson was on fire for Ainslie Reserves in their Premiership win over Queanbeyan at Manuka Oval last Sunday. After going down by 5 goals in the Second Semi Final, Clock came out and put the game beyond doubt with 5 first quarter goals and 7 for the match as the Tricolours reversed the semi final result to win by 6 goals. He was named man of the match. His brother Andrew was co-coach and also played well at centre half back. Ainslie scored the trifecta in winning all three grades and it was three in a row in Seniors and Reserves.

• The Magpies are more than the Western Magpies and while Gut Feelings primarily concentrates on the Senior side of the club, the Pies have a strong junior division--after all the club is still officially named "Sherwood DAFC Incorporating Western Magpies AFC" and started as a junior club.

Sherwood have the following teams in the Brisbane Juniors competition.

--Under 8s - 4 teams

--Under 9s - 3 teams

--Under 10s - 3 teams

--Under 12s - 2 teams

--Under 14s - 2 teams

--Under 16s - 2 teams

• Great to see so many current and former Senior players involved in coaching throughout the various age groups.

• Thanks to the 3 people who commented on Gut Feelings on the Facebook page and the enjoyment they had reading the inside stories from the Nest. Well there are a few more stories to come and I and my colleagues inside the Nest trust there are plenty of the Magpie family who have had a few more insights into the Pies this season.

McCarthy Homes Match Review - Colts into 2018 Grand Final with strong win

The Western Magpies Colts have won their way into their second successive QAFL Grand Final after an emphatic victory over Palm Beach-Currumbin in the Second Semi Final at Currumbin on Saturday morning.

The young Pies won handsomely in the wet and heavy conditions by 33 points, 9.9-63 to 3.12-30.

The Magpies now await the winner of the PBC v Wilston Grange Preliminary Final after Grange defeated Broadbeach in the First Semi Final.

The Pies were on-song from the first bounce and their cleaner ball skills in the wet and in and around the contest enabled them to establish early ascendancy. Getting on top early in wet conditions is vital and the Pies did just that with a three goal lead at quarter time that in the conditions even then was going to take some reeling in by the Lions.

The Magpies defence was well on top and kept the Lions goalless to half time and to one goal by three quarter time. Even then the Pies only led by 19 points at the final break but went on with the job to boot a further 4 final quarter goals to win comfortably.

Ruck rover Zane Lovell relished the tough going to win plenty of contested football and fellow on-baller Bruce Reville had a clean pair of hands in the wet to show his class with a polished display. Smaller speedsters in winger Dan Edwards and rover Sean Ryan were in their element with the ball on the ground more than usual and they continually drove the Pies forward. Ethan Sivijs was solid across half back and Cam Ferguson and Jayden Johnson both booted 2 valuable goals when goals were double normal value.

It was another strong team effort from the Pies and even saw key defender Whitlam Bishop kick a goal for the Pies.

The Magpies have another week off and no doubt training intensity will be high as the danger facing them is playing only 2 matches in 5 weeks going into the Grand Final.

The Grand Final is scheduled for Saturday, September 22nd at 9am at Yeronga.

Western Magpies. 3.3-21 | 4.3-27 | 5.4- 34 | 9.9-63

defeated

Palm Beach-Currumbin. 0.2-2 | 0.6-6 | 1-9-15 | 3-12-30

Best: Z. Lovell, B. Reville, E. Sivijs, D. Edwards, S. Ryan

Goals: C. Ferguson 2, J. Johnson 2, W. Bishop, S. Mehari, N. Resuggan, J. Sheath, F. Collison

SPONSORSHIP UPDATE - Regis Chelmer Join The Magpies

REGIS CHELMER JOIN THE MAGPIES AS COMMUNITY PARTNER

Regis Chelmer have confirmed their support as a community partner of the Sherwood Magpies / Western Magpies AFC.   

Regis Chelmer is a purpose-built aged care facility inside a faithfully restored 1890s mansion, topped with a magnificent rooftop lounge located on Victoria Avenue, Chelmer.

Regis Chelmer Facility Manager, Clyde Black announced the partnership today at McCarthy Homes Oval.

“Regis is committed to building strong relationships in the local community. It all comes down to a shared set of values and a belief in getting involved in the local community. We pride ourselves on providing top quality care for not only residents at Regis Chelmer but also care for the wider community.”

“After getting to know the Magpies, we identified a terrific opportunity for Regis to get involved and support our local grassroots footy club,” announced Clyde Black of Regis Chelmer. 

The partnership is welcome news for the Magpie faithful and will enable the club to continue to provide a top-quality grassroots football programme in the Western Suburbs. 

“It’s terrific to have Regis Chelmer onboard at the Magpies. They focus on quality relationships and it’s the care for people not just as customers that really resonated with us in terms of our own footy club and how we want to look after each other,”

“The costs of putting teams on the park just keep rising and it’s simply not possible to run the club effectively without the support of local business’s like Regis Chelmer,” Western Magpies President, Andrew Thomson.

Please support those who support the Magpies!

If you or a loved one is considering aged care now or in the future, please contact Regis on

1300 998 100 or VISIT https://www.regis.com.au/residence/regis-chelmer/

Place Preview - Colts flying Magpie Flag in Second Semi Final

The Western Magpies Colts are the lone survivor of the past 2 weeks of football for the Magpies and will fly the flag for the club when they play Palm Beach-Currumbin in the QAFL Colts Second Semi Final at Currumbin on Saturday morning.

The Pies are almost at full strength but have one forced change to the side that played a fortnight ago, with half forward and goalsneak Abdullah Haddad out due to fractured cheekbone suffered in an unsavoury incident at Surfers Paradise a fortnight ago.

In comes speedster Ritti Batilimoyo  to the interchange bench after missing with a slight niggle last match.

The results against PBC are one each with the Pies going down by 17 points their round 4 clash at Currumbin then the Pies had a convincing 43 point win in the return bout in round 14 at McCarthy Homes Oval at Chelmer. The loss early in the season was the first of only two losses the Colts suffered during the season.

The Pies were impressive in their last few hitouts and their ball movement with hand and foot has been precise and allows them to move the ball quickly forward where big forwards Cam Ferguson and Finn Collison can get off the leash. It they fail to take the grab then smart medium and small forwards in skipper Noah Resuggan, rover Sean Ryan, half forwards Sam Mehari and Jayden Johnson are ready to pounce on any loose ball.

The midfield looks particularly strong with Samson Ryan in ruck in good form and then able to drift forward to boot a goal or two. Jacob Sheath has had another consistent season in the centre and with the silky skills of Bruce Reville and the non-stop running of Dan Edwards and Dane Lovell the Pies have a very solid engine room.

The Pies defence has had cursory mentions this year because they usually go about their jobs with quiet efficiency and they have largely kept the opposition to single goal figures in most matches. Key defenders Whitlam Bishop and Chris Moloney have rarely had their colours lowered and with Ethan Sivijs, Chris Jenkins, Charlie Thorpe and Aiden D’Rosa in support and to provide run and carry out of the backline the Pies are well equipped to keep PBC to a losing total.

Coach Jake Fuentes as his charges primed for a big effort but has emphasized that finals are another step up in the pressure department and to be ready for an early Lions onslaught. The Pies have the form on the board and the talent to advance to their second straight Grand Final but the win will only come from hard work at the contest and from good ball use under pressure.

QAFL Second Semi Final: Western Magpies Colts v  Palm Beach-Currumbin at Salk Oval, Currumbin on Saturday, September 8th at 9.00 am

B:    Chris Jenkins (vc)  Chris Moloney Charlie Thorpe         

HB:  Aiden D’Roza  Whitlam Bishop (vc)  Ethan Sivijs

C:    Dan Edwards Jacob Sheath  Deng Arok

HF:  Jayden Johnson  Cameron Ferguson Sam Mehari

F:    Noah Resuggan (Capt) Finn Collison Sean Ryan

Foll:  Samson Ryan Zane Lovell :  Bruce Reville  

I/C: Jacob Aurisch, Ritti Batilimoyo,  Lachlan Pearson, Ryan Cherry

In: Ritti Batilimoyo

Out: Abdullah Haddad (fractured cheek)

Emerg: Harrison Radcliffe, Cooper Crowell,  Harry Keenan, Mitchell O’Dea, Tom Slatter

Regis Aged Care - Gut Feelings XV

• The past two weekends haven't been very good for the Magpie family as the anticipation coming toward the finals was high but the Pies hopes have been dashed in three of the four grades.

• The Woodsmen went into the QFA Division 4 Grand Final at Coorparoo on Friday night as warm favourites against Maroochydore but were on the back foot from the first bounce and just could not get themselves into the contest. The Pies were prepared for a tough battle as despite winning the three contests during the season they got progressively closer from a 39 point win earlier in the year, before winning away by 6 points and again by 6 points in the Semi final.

• Maroochydoore got first use of a 5 goal breeze and at quarter time, trailing by just 7 points the Woodsmen were very happy with how things were going, but they then failed to take their chances with the use of the wind themselves and were outscored to go into half-time goalless, but still miraculously only down by 16 points and still in it despite a poor first half.

• After the break however, the wind had switched to a tricky cross breeze making kicking at goal difficult and even hitting targets in general play hard work. The Woodies were their own worst enemy, gifting the Roos 3 of their 4 goals in the 3rd quarter via 50m penalties, taking them to the goal-line, taking tough conditions out of the equation.

• In the final quarter the wind had largely died down, but the superior fitness and speed of the younger Roos outfit was telling on the big ground, and only poor kicking for goal kept the score even mildly respectable.

• The Pies just could not match the pace and precise ball use of the Roos and try as they might just had a bad night when it counted most. Missing Sam Banim hurt the Woodies, even more so when youngster Braydon Thomas suffered a devastating ACL tear early in the game after getting through the full season unscathed after returning from an ACL 2 years prior

• The Reserves surged in the latter half of the season to force their way into the Elimination Final against PBC at Surfers Paradise last Sunday, but like the Woodsmen were off the pace physically and metaphorically. The Palm Beach-Currumbin players were pacey and used that to their advantage and except for the first 15 minutes of the match when the Pies could have had 3 goals on the board the Pies looked slow and reactive. The Pies were held to 2 goals in the blustery conditions, by far their lowest score for the year. Seems the Magpies aren't find of windy conditions!

• The Reserves had a roller coaster ride to the finals and this may have caught them out last Sunday. After a round 11 loss to Broadbeach the Pies were 3 games outside the five. But the Pies regained some key players and then won 6 of the last 7 matches to surge into the finals. But like the Seniors, the stress of continually having to play do-or-die matches week in, week out probably had them not quite right mentally and after the first 15 minutes were not able to establish any ascendancy at all.

• Interestingly though, the Magpies were able to defeat every single Reserves side in the competition at least once other than Labrador and good judges have noted the enormous lift in standard across the board in QAFL Reserves in 2018

• Coach Des Lashman commented that it was the Magpies first Reserves finals appearance in 4 seasons and many of the younger players will benefit from the experience. The irony of last weeks loss to a youthful Lions team was that the Magpies best players were the experienced players with Peter Kilroy the Pies best player and the oldest player on the ground. Skipper Sean Mewing was busy especially early and Gareth Crawford also scrapped hard.

• Disappointment is probably an understatement after the Seniors saved arguably their worst performance for the year in the most important match of the year to date.

• For the past 5-6 weeks the Pies looked to be up their with the best in the QAFL and after defeating Morningside 2 weeks prior had sent a shiver through the other QAFL finals bound clubs. On talking to many Pies players and coaches when watching the Reserves on Sunday, missing the finals burns deep and leaves a "gnawing feeling in the guts" about what the possibilities were had the Pies made the five.

• The 0-3 start to the season in matches the Pies could have won came back to haunt the Pies as they were always playing catch up on the ladder and the inability to win any of the 5 close matches they played proved their undoing. Just one win out of these close losses and the Pies would have finished third and preparing for a Qualifying Final on Saturday. Catch up football on the ladder but also in many of their matches this season

• The Pies play a tough attritional style of football and were unable to match Surfers outside run and pace and at times the Pies players looked tired from a season where they had to play catch up on the ladder and also catch up in many of their matches this season, not to mention having all 3 of their byes in the first 12 rounds, resulting in playing the last 7 games consecutively.

• The Pies missed the pressure and pace that Riley Easton usually provides after he was injured midway through the second quarter. Riley injured an ankle and could not return and with Will Fletcher nursing a sore head and on and off the bench the Pies were down on rotations and this probably told in the last quarter.

• The Pies defence was superb all season and the mantra in the club was that if the opposition could be kept to 11 goals then the Pies would win 90% of their matches. The Pies had 12 goals or more kicked on them in only 4 matches with the highest goal tally kicked against them of 14 goals against Broadbeach. But the Pies also struggled to kick goals and in several matches poor kicking for goal cost them dearly.

• On a positive note 16 of the 22 players in the Senior team and 18 of the 22 Reserves players that the Pies put on the field last Saturday all came up through the ranks at Chelmer which is a phenomenal effort for the club and its player development.

• In retrospect the Pies missed Aaron Highlands in the loss to Surfers Paradise and the versatility he provided to start him at CHB then throw him into the ruck if needed was sorely missed. Such are the small things that can make or break a season.

• The Pies went down to Surfers by 21 points in the final round yet did not play well. The Demons won by 6 goals over Mt Gravatt in the Elimination Final to underline how close the Pies were to the top this year. Bugger!!

• The Magpies Colts had a solid victory at Surfers in the final round, leading from the fist minute and never in any danger of defeat. The Pies locked in top spot on the ladder with the win and played an attractive brand of football with slick use of the ball by hand and foot.

• The game was marred by several ugly incidents with Pies players the targets and the QAFL has investigated the incidents, one of which left Pies player Abdullah Haddad with a fractured nose and cheekbone.

• Colts now fly the flag for the Magpies as they travel to Currumbin to take on the home team in the QAFL Second semi final. The winner goes straight into the Grand Final and the scores are one win each this season. The Pies went down by 17 points, 8-8-56 to 5-9-39 points in round 4 on the coast but had an emphatic 14-12-96 to 8-5-53 win at Chelmer in round 14.

• The Pies had one eye on a quartet of popular ex-players in Chris Devlin, Nick Barling, Jaike Bowen and the ageless Michael Lyons (QAFL Reserves League B & F in 2004 and 2005) as they lined up with Ipswich in the QFA Division 3 Grand Final at Wilston Grange last Saturday. The Eagles went down to Carrara by 6 goals after they defeated the same opponent by 6 goals in the Second Semi Final. Carrara then downed Kedron in the Preliminary Final. Ex Pies player and coach Craig St John was helping out on the coaching bench at Kedron where his son Sam St John has been playing. It was Ipswich's second Grand Final loss in a row-maybe third time lucky next year.

• At the risk of missing any number of Pies ex-players who may be in finals a few come to mind with Luke Scott and Jim Rozynski playing key roles in Mitiamo's two finals wins to date in the Loddon Valley League situated just north of Bendigo. Also in the SuperRoos team is ex QAFL players Matt Trewhella (Grange), Michael l'Ansen (PBC) and Lucas Matthews (Noosa).

• Popular Pies player Matt "Clock" Thompson won the Canberra Leagues Reserves B & F this week. Clock is running around for Ainslie and is happy playing in the twos, which is coached by his brother Andrew, also an ex-Pie. Ainslie are aiming for their third Reserves (and Senior flag) in a row on Sunday at Manuka. Andrew also won the League B & F last year to keep it in the family. Clock is also training for the javelin at the Institute of Sport and is targeting the Paralympics in Tokyo in 2020 and is making progress as he nears the qualifying mark.

McCarthy Homes Match Review - Reserves Crash out of Finals

The Western Magpies Reserves crashed out of the finals, and much like the Senior side - saved their worst performance till last.  It was their second biggest loss of the year when defeated by a slicker and more polished Palm Beach-Currumbin in the Elimination Final at Surfers Paradise on Sunday. 

The Pies were on top for the first ten minutes of the match and should have had 3 goals on the board from the early exchanges but did not get reward for effort and from then on they were chasing their tail and the PBC players for the rest of the match. 

The Pies went down by 9 goals, 11.9-75  to 2.9-21. You have to go back to round one when the Pies were defeated by Mt Gravatt by 65 points to find a bigger defeat this season. 

Played in blustery conditions, the Magpies started brightly enough with skipper Sean Mewing and the ageless Peter Kilroy pumping the ball forward but the Pies could not raise the two flags.

PBC were able to put 2 quick goals on and then with the Pies favoured by a flukey cross wind could not trouble the scorers in the second quarter while the Lions kicked 4 goals, one after the siren, to hold a commanding 5 goal lead at half time. 

It was more of the same after half time as PBC used a pace advantage and growing confidence to continually outnumber the Pies at the contests and find a running team-mate at will as the Pies looked to be chasing for most of the third quarter. The Pies were made to look slow by the Lions slick ball use and run and carry. The Magpies were only able to score 1 point for the entire second and third quarters. 

The final quarter saw coach Des Lashman throw his side around in an effort to find some spark and the Pies did dominate the forward entries and even up the contest but the horse had well and truly bolted. The Pies could only add 1-5 for the quarter to boot their lowest score of the year.  

As would be expected with the scoreline it was the defenders who figured in the best players as they were continually under the pump. Chris Hunt worked overtime at CHB and Harry Marshall at fullback and and Kurt Vine across half back competed hard all game but were often overwhelmed with the Lions charging forward in numbers. 

Peter Kilroy had plenty of the ball, especially in the first half and was the Pies best player and Sean Mewing also tried hard to lift his teammates on a wing. Ironically Kilroy was the oldest player on the ground but it was the Lions youth and pace that brought the Pies undone. 

Other experienced players in Gareth Crawford and Gerard Moore battled hard all game in midfield and Brodie Easton also tried hard to stem the tide. 

It ended a horrible week for the Pies, who 8 days ago were looking forwards to a positive finals experience but the Seniors went down to miss the finals,  then the Woodsmen were defeated in the Grand Final on Friday night and then Sunday's loss in the Reserves.

This leaves the Colts as the Magpies only team still in contention as they begin their finals campaign Saturday morning at 9 am when they take on Palm Beach-Currumbin in the Second Semi Final at Palm Beach. (despite finishing on top of the ladder!)

Palm Beach Currumbin 2.0-12 | 6.4-40 | 9.8-62 | 11.9-75

defeated

Western Magpies 1.3-9 | 1.3-9 | 1.4-10 | 2.9-21

Goals: S. Mewing, L. Murray
Best: C. Hunt, P. Kilroy, B. Easton, S. Mewing, H. Marshall, K. Vine