CFMG Capital - Reserves Round 19 Match Review
Andrew Thomson
The Western Magpies Reserves ended a largely forgettable season in disappointing fashion when they were easily defeated by top team Surfers Paradise in the final match of the year.
The Pies had 5 late withdrawals from the selected side on Saturday morning and only fielded 20 players and finished with 16 players in the last 15 minutes of the match with Monty Vine, Mitchell O'Dea, Jayden Gallagher and Rory Johnson all injured throughout the game.
This outcome was part and parcel of a disjointed season as injuries piled up, unavailability intervened and NEAFL clubs regularly plucked players at the last minute, leaving the club short across multiple grades.
The Magpies were defeated 18.7-115 to 5.6 36.
The Demons had more to play for, wanting to take top spot on the ladder and a week off in the first week of the finals and they looked cleaner and slicker than the Pies.
Rory Johnson was busy on the ball and across half forward until injured and Jayden Gallagher was robust and provided a forward target and finished with 3 goals until he too was injured during the last quarter.
Zac Collison returned to his early season form with intercept marks a highlight and Brady Allen also worked overtime in defence. Sam Hartog had another good game on a wing and Zane Lovell ran himself ragged on the ball and Peter Kilroy gave 100% as usual from half back.
Surfers 5.1 - 31 | 8.3 - 51 | 13.5 - 83 | 18.7 - 115
defeated
Magpies 2.2 - 14 | 2.4 - 16 | 4.5 - 29 | 5.6 - 36
Best: Johnson, Z.Collison, Gallagher, Allen, Hartog, Lovell
Goals: Gallagher 3, Mazerolle, Workman 1