Friday 3 September 2010
The Western Magpies overcame a slow start and a dangerous case of the yips in front of goal to claim the Sports Ready AFLQ Division 1 Under 18 grand final at Aspley last Sunday.
The 25-point margin, 10.16 (76) to 7.9 (51), did not reflect the high drama and tension of a classic match played out in front of a big crowd.
Redland began strongly with 4.5 to 1.3 in the opening term and maintained their advantage after the Magpies kicked nine consecutive behinds to 1.1 in a second term that saw the momentum nonetheless swing in favour of the black and whites.
The Bombers kicked the first goal after the break, but some poor discipline allowed the Magpies back into the contest.
Alex Dickfos was marking everything that came his way and two free kicks and goals from resulting 50 metre penalties gave the Magpies a sniff.
Jake Fuentes then threaded through a banana from the boundary line and the Magpies were inspired.
Dickfos took at least eight contested marks for the quarter in a purple patch that changed the game as he kicked three goals from seven shots, including two posters and one out on the full.
When the dust settled at three quarter time, the Magpies had kicked 7.4 to the Bombers 1.1 and converted a 17-point deficit to a 22-point lead.
The Bombers showed plenty of heart to boot the opening two goals of the finals term, before the Magpies defence stood tall in the crisis.
Dylan McDonald, Jesse Hampel, Mitchell Oats, Blaine Coates, Tim Colburn and Lachlan Woods-Honour featured as the Magpies stemmed the tide.
Woods-Honour then capped his defensive work by winning possession on the wing and took on and evaded a number of opponents and then produced a classy finish from 45 metres to steady the Magpies ship.
Dickfos then sealed the game with his fourth as the Magpies ran down the clock.
Colburn won the best-on-ground award.
