The fifth placed Western Magpies face another test of their finals credentials on Saturday when they travel to the Gold Coast to take on the the fourth placed Labrador, another ex-NEAFL team.
The Magpies have been there own worst enemy in their three losses to date with poor decision making and inaccurate disposal costing them costly turnovers which have been punished on the scoreboard.
In their loss last week to Broadbeach it was inconsistency in applying pressure which was their main fault, with the Cats booting 11 of their 16 goals in a quarter and a half when the Pies went missing mentally and physically. The Magpies are confident they have addressed this aspect of their game and are optimistic that with a four quarter effort can come away with the four points.
The young Pies have shown that for long periods of matches against top sides this year they have been the equal or better than their more fancied opponents and have indicated that they belong in the top half of the QAFL ladder. A win against an early season flag favourite in the Tigers will give the Pies added confidence and momentum going into the bye and then for a big clash against ladder leader Morningside in fortnight.
The Magpies have made three changes to the line-up with Chris Judson unavailable, Cory Hopkins out with lower back strain and Matt Uebergang on Queensland Under 18 duties.
In comes youngster Ben Hooper and the inclusion of Redland based forward Tom Mitchell, who returns from injury for his first match in black and white and another Redland player yet to be confirmed.
For the Pies Chris Hunt has been in good form in the back half but also with run through the middle and the return of Peter Kilroy gives the X factor with creative play but also the ability to play short or tall.
Ben Landry and Ben Jaenke-Cain have both been hard workers in the middle, Dom Beer has been terrific in ruck and Val Pope is also in good form. Skipper Lachlan Woods is slowly working into form and although he lacks some polish at times his endeavour has been first rate. Matt Davis is working toward his best form across half-forward and Aaron Yusia-Maricic has been a livewire on a wing.
The Pies need a scalp and with a strong four quarter effort will be a big chance of victory.
RESERVES LOOK TO REGAIN- SECOND PLACE
The Pies Reserves will look to return to the winners list against Labrador to move back to second place on the ladder. The Tigers currently hold second place on the ladder on percentage from the Magpies in third place.
The Magpies will want to improve their consistency throughout the four quarters after a patchy effort last week that saw them go down by 7 points.
Jaden Morton returns to add to the big man options and and the Pies skipper Sean McEvoy was a strong player in recent weeks in defence and in ruck and will again be a key player.
Morton can be part of a three prong attack with big forwards Scott Musson and Jesse Hampel and if the midfield can get first use of the ball then they will be difficult to contain.
With several players keen for Senior recall in Tom Ielasi, Cam Thomas, Luke Mitchell, Brady Allen, David Lewis and Mitchell Stallard , the Pies should be able to take the four points.
COLTS WORKING TOWARD FIRST WIN
Western Magpies Colts expect to get stronger in coming weeks and will be looking for their first victory of the season when they take on the sixth placed Labrador at Labrador on Saturday.
The Colts have improved in each match this season and will look to consistent performers in Mathew Mazarolle, Nathan Morrow, Grant Jennings, Daniel Hill, Alex Spasovski , Sempitake Kwizera and the improving Tom Pomroy to again lead the side.
Last Modified on 31/05/2014 12:34