inside - neafl

THE BELCONNEN MAGPIES WENT OUT WITH A BANG
LAST WEEKEND, NOTCHING UP A WIN IN THEir LAST
ROUND OF THE REGULAR SEASON.
The guys have
remained positive,
there’s a really strong
feeling amongst the
group, they’re all
really great mates
The side was pumped to get
over the top of the Hawks.
The Magpies had played
Tuggeranong twice this year
and both times came close to
winning. However, it was third
time lucky for the team who
are already excited for next
season.
Belconnen’s NEAFL side may
be out of the finals race, but the
Magpies reserve grade are in
fine form.
After overcoming
the sudden resignation
of their coach
John Williams, the
side will now compete
for the flag and
are confident they
can match ladder
leaders Queanbeyan
and Ainslie.
Caretaker coach Justin
Lalor has been guiding the side
through the last few games in
the regular season. He says the
boys have taken the coaching
change in their stride after what
has been “not an easy year”.
“The guys have remained
positive, there’s a really strong
feeling amongst the group,
they’re all really great mates,”
Lalor said.
Lalor said that although he
was previously a reserve
assistant coach, taking up the
role of head coach has been a
challenge.
“It involves a lot more time
and effort and it’s a steep
learning curve but it’s been
a really good challenge and
one that I’ve been enjoying so
far… it’s been great for me to
be involved with the group in a
more involved capacity and the
support the Club and players
have given me has been
fantastic… we’re just really
looking forward to see how we
will go over the next couple of
weeks,” Lalor said.
The team is excited about the
finals and Lalor said the side
won’t be working on anything
different.
“We’ve just been
working around our
structures all year
and I think we’ve
got a really good
group that have been
playing really good
solid team footy
and playing for
each other… I think
they’re confident in
their ability and the
game plan…
“Finals are always a really
exciting time for any side so I
think they’re itching to get out
there … and put in a really good
performance and see how well
we can go,” Lalor said.
In other club news, congratulations
to Brendan ‘Bubba’ Read,
who will this weekend play
his 318th game for the club,
making him the record holder
of most club games played for
Belconnen.
By Lucy Hinchey