WEDDING bells have cost Western Magpies two senior players for their clash with Coolangatta at Chelmer Oval on Saturday.
Chris Judson is tying the knot and is taking team-mate Kale Reed with him as best man, presenting coach Peter McClennan with some late-season disruption as his team chases a top-three finals finish.
By Terry Wilson
If the Magpies beat the Blues they will earn a home-ground fixture in the qualifying final next weekend.
But a loss, depending on results elsewhere, could despatch the Magpies to the elimination final.
So there is plenty at stake for the Magpies against Coolangatta, a side that is out of the finals race but determined to claim a top scalp in their last match o the season.
Away from Judson and Reed, the Magpies have also lost Sco9tt Clark to the Brisbane Lions, forcing the club into three changes.
Into the side come defender Cam Mitchell-Hill, flanker Jack Parkes and Sean Mewing, who is resuming after injury.
With the finals double-chance a reward for victory over the Blues, there is plenty for the Magpies to play for.
“If we lose we drop out of the top three,” said McClennan. “We’re expecting Coolangatta to be ready, with the last game of the year scenario.
“They’re worked hard and tried to improve their game and they’re going to have a big one.
“But we know what is required and I’m quietly confident we can repeat last week’s performance against Mayne.”
Coolangatta have lost all but one of their Papua New Guinean contingent, with five of them – Ali Pinda, Emmaus Wartuvo, Paul Philip, John Vogae and , Teenan Carbury – unavailable because of the World Cup in Sydney.
Also out is Cameron Busch because of work commitments.
The six ins this weekend are Ronan Gibson, Ben Dovey, Andy Dowling, Lee Missen, Daniel Cossar and Ryan McCabe.
The desire to bowl over a tall poppy burns strongly among the Blues.
As coach Neil Mackay said: “All season we’ve wanted to beat a top-five team and that’s still the aim.”
