The Magpies are out of the race to play finals football in 2009. Last Saturday was our last opportunity to keep our slim finals aspirations alive but unfortunately the boys were unable to get over the top of Kangaroo Flat who were sitting 4th on the ladder.
The game was played in atrocious conditions, wind, rain and plenty of mud.There would have been a lot of young players who would not have experienced the conditions that prevailed on the day. The Roos jumped out of blocks early and before the Pies had realised that the game had started they had built up a commanding 4 goal lead. As it turned out that is exactly what the difference was at the games end.You cannot concede a 4 goal break on a dry day let alone on a day when goals were very difficult indeed to score.
I mentioned last week that when the going gets tough Jimmy O'Brien gets going.Last Saturday Jimmy probably played his most inspiring game for the Pies under the appalling conditions.The two veterans of the team Lachie Brown and Chris Jardine followed and turned in great wet weather games.Lenny McNamara, Benny Rose, Nathan Pope and Brodie Culpitt were also very good.
The Reserves never got themselves into the game and were completely outclassed by Kangaroo Flat.The Reserves virtually had to win to keep their finals aspirations alive; however the task was too great and they eventually were over whelmed by twelve goals.The dream of playing finals is now over for 2009.The good players in a game that was played under very difficult conditions were Jaryd Millard, Mitch Williams, Bertie Cole, Trev Butcher, Lach Brennan and Joel Millard.
The Under 18,s were quietly confident of victory against the Roo boys but things did not pan out as hoped. Kangaroo Flat built up an early lead and under the conditions it was always going to be difficult to grind their way back into the game. The inaccurate kicking for goal did not help their cause, one goal out of twelve shots was not a great return. Good players were first gamer Tom Ruggles, L.Chapman, Brennan Deppeler, John Watson, James Rowbotham and Kyle Cordy.
Next the Magpies host the Sandhurst Dragons at the CampReserve.The Pies cannot make the finals in 09 but we can play a part and shape up the five.Today's game will present a good opportunity to get into the winners circle and create a bit of excitement in the Magpie camp. The Dragons have in recent years shown a distinct disliking of the CampReserve irrespective of our position on the ladder.The game against the Dragons should be a close encounter and a victory either way would not surprise.
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