Western Magpies Australian Football Club
Encyclopedia
The Western Magpies Australian Football Club is the senior Australian rules football
club of the western suburbs of Brisbane which competes in Division One of the AFLQ State League. The club is based at 41 Chelmer st, Chelmer
, at the same grounds as the Sherwood Junior Australian Football Club and fields a team in the AFLQ senior, reserve, under 18 and women's grade competitions. The Western Magpies AFC provides a focal point for talented players from all of the junior clubs that lie within Brisbane's western suburbs (Collingwood Park, Ferny Grove, Forest Lake, Kenmore, Jindalee, Moorooka, Sherwood, Southern Redbacks, Springfield Lakes, Wests Juniors, Yeronga). The club aims to provide a pathway into the AFL
for players from these junior clubs, develop the network of surrounding senior and junior Australian rules football
clubs, and provide a fun, friendly, family oriented hub for local football in the western suburbs. The Western Magpies Australian Football Club and Sherwood Junior Australian Football Club are sponsored by Tradelink (major sponsor), Hog's Breath Cafe
and Cleanway (secondary sponsors).
There have been a number of senior clubs (Taringa, Western Districts, Sherwood, and West Brisbane) based within the western suburbs of Brisbane that have competed in the highest division of local football. These clubs were all forced out of existence over time, and the Western Magpies AFC resembles a culmination of the area's historical and continuing football presence and strength. The current club has been playing in Division Two of the AFL Queensland State League since 2004, but is being promoted into Division One from the commencement of the 2009 season under the guidance of President Brian Knight, Senior Coach Paul Grentell and Club Development Manager Anthony McDonald.
, and the club colours were maroon and white. Despite making it to five grand finals Taringa was unable to secure a premiership, but it produced two De Little Medalists in C.Vigden (1939) and Doug Pittard (1940). Taringa changed its name to the Western Districts Australian Football Club in 1946.
) and colours (maroon and white) of Taringa and were originally based at Oakman Park, Toowong
but moved to Chelmer Oval, Queenscroft st, Chelmer
in 1971. The club continued to grow steadily, finishing in third place in 1951, and losing to Mayne
by merely one point in the 1952 grand final. The club learned from their narrow loss, defeating Windsor and Sandgate respectively in the 1953 and 1954 grand finals to secure their first and second premierships. Western Districts were unable to qualify for the finals between the years of 1956 and 1962, before suffering consecutive grand final losses at the hands of Mayne
in 1966 and 1967. The club's next, and last ever, grand final appearances came consecutively in 1977, 1978 and 1979. The Bulldogs narrowly won premierships by 5 points against Wilston Grange in 1977, and by 4 points against Windsor/Zillmere
in 1978, before losing what would be their last grand final appearance to Sandgate in 1979. Western Districts eventually merged with Sherwood in 1991 to form the West Brisbane Australian Football Club. The Western Districts Australian Football Club had a number of very successful players in their midst throughout their existence. Doug Pittard won two Grogan Medal
s during his time at the club to go with his De Little Medal he won with Taringa, and played a handful of games for the Footscray reserves. Owen Backwell was also a dual Grogan Medal
ist for the Bulldogs, who topped the league goal kicking in 1977, played over 300 games for the club, including the 1977 and 1978 premierships, and had a short stint with the Fitzroy Football Club
. Ray Hughson topped the league goal kicking while playing for Western Districts a remarkable six times (1958, 1959, 1962–65), while Gavin Crosisca
(over 250 AFL
games for Collingwood
), Ray Smith (over 100 VFL
games for Essendon
and Melbourne
), and Gary Shaw (Collingwood
and the Brisbane Bears
, and still coaches at the Western Magpies) all went on to play in in the VFL/AFL
.
, directly next to the Queenscroft st ground of the Western Districts, which is the current home of the Western Magpies. The club took on the black and white stripes of their junior club as well as the emblem of the magpie
, both of which are still thoroughly attached to the club to the current day thanks to the winning of a coin toss with Shouthport (who had previously had the same colours and emblem) upon the entry of both clubs to the QAFL in 1983. This occurred after Sherwood managed to work their way up through the divisions, culminating in their 1983 promotion into the QAFL. In 1991 Sherwood AFC merged with the Western Districts to form the West Brisbane Australian Football Club, which could be a single footballing force in Brisbane's western suburbs. Players of particular note for the Sherwood AFC include John Rantall
, the 336 game South Melbourne
, North Melbourne
and Fitzroy
VFL
veteran who coached Sherwood in their debut season in the QAFL, and 1983 Grogan Medal
winner, Bill Pierce, whom the Western Magpies best and fairest in now named after.
and were nicknamed The Warriors. The club was successful in winning a premiership in the 1996 season, comfortably defeating Mt Gravatt
17.10 (112) to 8.10 (58), with Corey Lambert claiming that year's Grogan Medal
. Unfortunately, due to financial reasons West Brisbane were unable to compete in the following year's competition and had a few seasons out of the State competition before returning as the re-branded Western Magpies Australian Football Club in 2001.
decided to undertake a major re-shuffling of the leagues in 2004 to create a two tier State League
competition the Western Magpies were relegated to the newly created Division Two. Paul Grentell was appointed the club's senior coach, and the Magpies set about strengthening every aspect of the football club in the hopes of returning to Division One. The senior team narrowly missed out on a place in the 2005 Division Two grand final, but were successful in reaching the grand final in 2006, 2007 and 2008. The Western Magpies defeated the Noosa Tigers in the 2006 decider, before losing to the Palm Beach Currumbin Lions
in the final game of 2007. Despite losing the 2007 grand final, it was announced at the end of that year that the Western Magpies would be returning to Division One of the State League in 2009. The Magpies rebounded from their 2007 loss to Palm Beach
to end the Lions 38 game winning streak at their Chelmer
home ground during the 2008 home and away season, and followed this up by defeating the Lions again in a thrilling grand final. This capped the club's time in Division Two off nicely, leaving them with two premierships (2006 & 2008) and three grand final appearances (2006–2008) from their four years in lower division. During this four year period, the reserves team played in the Division Two grand final (each year 2005–2008), winning premierships in 2005, 2006 and 2007, while the under 18 and women's teams both continued to participate in Division One of their competitions.
for young players in the western suburbs. In a similar way, the club also relates closely with the surrounding senior clubs, as they also provide a pathway for players to play at a standard of football that best suits their ability. In particular, the Western Magpies work closely with the Sherwood Junior Australian Football Club and the Kenmore Australian Football Club
. The junior clubs within the western suburbs that the Western Magpies work with include;
. The official website of the Sherwood Junior AFC is located at www.sherwoodafc.com.
are a separate club who play in Division One of the AFLQ State Association
. The Kenmore Bears
and the Western Magpies enjoy a close relationship that sees players transfer between the two clubs in order to play the best possible level of football. The two clubs' grounds are situated next to each other in Chelmer
, with Kenmore
playing out of the Queenscroft st grounds that were once those of the Western Districts Australian Football Club. In 2008 these grounds were closed for redevelopment, and Kenmore
played their all of their home games for that season on the Western Magpies field. The official website of the Kenmore Bears
is located at www.kenmore.aflq.com.au.
in the 2007 grand final, the Western Magpies went through the 2008 home and away season with fifteen wins out of eighteen games to sit second on the ladder to the Palm Beach Currumbin Lions
before the commencement of the finals series. The Magpies's only losses were against Palm Beach Currumbin
(Round 1), Coolangatta Tweed Head (Round 2) and Burleigh (Round 16), and one of the most memorable victories came in Round 14, when the Magpies defeated the Palm Beach Currumbin Lions
18.8 (116) to 5.16 (46) to end the Lions's 34 game winning streak. The Western Magpies and the Palm Beach Currumbin Lions
both made it through the finals series into the 2008 AFL Queensland State League grand final for a rematch of the previous year's grand final. The two clubs fought out a tough contest, which saw the Lions
lead throughout the first three quarters of the game. The Magpies lifted during the third quarter to close in on the minor premiers, and managed to kick six goals to two in a thrilling final quarter to take out a nail biting decider, 16.8 (104) to 14.17 (101). The Magpies reserves went through the home and away season with only two losses, to Wilston Grange and Burleigh. This left the team on top of the ladder, one game clear of their closest rivals. The reserves won their way straight through to the grand final, where they were unable to make it four consecutive Division Two premierships, being soundly beaten by Aspley
10.8 (68) to 21.7 (133). The Western Magpies under 18 team won three of their matches curing the season, and were unable to secure a place in the finals.
in round one of the season. The Magpies seniors team were unable to get a victory in their first match in the AFL Queensland State League, losing by 48 points in a match that has so far set the tone for their season. The Western Magpies seniors are currently yet to record a victory in the 2009 season, as seen in the table of results below;
AFL Queensland State League – Division Two
AFL Queensland State League – Division One
was titled the De Little Medal.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
club of the western suburbs of Brisbane which competes in Division One of the AFLQ State League. The club is based at 41 Chelmer st, Chelmer
Chelmer, Queensland
Chelmer is an inner suburb of Brisbane, Australia located 7 km west of the Brisbane CBD on the Brisbane River. Chelmer is zoned as a residential area, and consists of low-density housing. It has many fine Queenslanders, characterised by wooden verandahs, wide stairways and roofing of...
, at the same grounds as the Sherwood Junior Australian Football Club and fields a team in the AFLQ senior, reserve, under 18 and women's grade competitions. The Western Magpies AFC provides a focal point for talented players from all of the junior clubs that lie within Brisbane's western suburbs (Collingwood Park, Ferny Grove, Forest Lake, Kenmore, Jindalee, Moorooka, Sherwood, Southern Redbacks, Springfield Lakes, Wests Juniors, Yeronga). The club aims to provide a pathway into the AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
for players from these junior clubs, develop the network of surrounding senior and junior Australian rules football
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
clubs, and provide a fun, friendly, family oriented hub for local football in the western suburbs. The Western Magpies Australian Football Club and Sherwood Junior Australian Football Club are sponsored by Tradelink (major sponsor), Hog's Breath Cafe
Hog's Breath Cafe
Hog's Breath Cafe is an Australian chain of steak house restaurants. The first business was opened in July 1989 at Airlie Beach by Don Algie. In November the following year, a second store was opened in Mooloolaba...
and Cleanway (secondary sponsors).
There have been a number of senior clubs (Taringa, Western Districts, Sherwood, and West Brisbane) based within the western suburbs of Brisbane that have competed in the highest division of local football. These clubs were all forced out of existence over time, and the Western Magpies AFC resembles a culmination of the area's historical and continuing football presence and strength. The current club has been playing in Division Two of the AFL Queensland State League since 2004, but is being promoted into Division One from the commencement of the 2009 season under the guidance of President Brian Knight, Senior Coach Paul Grentell and Club Development Manager Anthony McDonald.
History
The Western Magpies Australian Football Club was formed as the State League representative of Brisbane's western suburbs, incorporating the history of the previous clubs to compete in the AFL Queensland State League.Taringa AFC
A Taringa Football Club competed in the QFL (an early form of the AFL Queensland State League) in the 1920 season. The club only appeared in the State competition for that single season, but resurfaced by entering the newly titled QANFL in 1931. The club's emblem was the bulldogBulldog
Bulldog is the name for a breed of dog commonly referred to as the English Bulldog. Other Bulldog breeds include the American Bulldog, Olde English Bulldogge and the French Bulldog. The Bulldog is a muscular heavy dog with a wrinkled face and a distinctive pushed-in nose...
, and the club colours were maroon and white. Despite making it to five grand finals Taringa was unable to secure a premiership, but it produced two De Little Medalists in C.Vigden (1939) and Doug Pittard (1940). Taringa changed its name to the Western Districts Australian Football Club in 1946.
Western Districts AFC
The Western Districts Australian Football Club came into existence in 1946 when the Taringa Football Club changed its name to incorporate the whole of Brisbane's western suburbs. Western Districts kept the emblem (the bulldogBulldog
Bulldog is the name for a breed of dog commonly referred to as the English Bulldog. Other Bulldog breeds include the American Bulldog, Olde English Bulldogge and the French Bulldog. The Bulldog is a muscular heavy dog with a wrinkled face and a distinctive pushed-in nose...
) and colours (maroon and white) of Taringa and were originally based at Oakman Park, Toowong
Toowong, Queensland
Toowong is an inner suburb of Brisbane, Australia which is located 5 km west of the Brisbane CBD. At the centre of Toowong is a commercial precinct including Toowong Village and several office buildings...
but moved to Chelmer Oval, Queenscroft st, Chelmer
Chelmer, Queensland
Chelmer is an inner suburb of Brisbane, Australia located 7 km west of the Brisbane CBD on the Brisbane River. Chelmer is zoned as a residential area, and consists of low-density housing. It has many fine Queenslanders, characterised by wooden verandahs, wide stairways and roofing of...
in 1971. The club continued to grow steadily, finishing in third place in 1951, and losing to Mayne
Mayne Australian Football Club
Mayne Australia Football Club are an Australian rules football club based in the Brisbane suburb of Enoggera. Their club colours are black and yellow and they are nicknamed the Tigers....
by merely one point in the 1952 grand final. The club learned from their narrow loss, defeating Windsor and Sandgate respectively in the 1953 and 1954 grand finals to secure their first and second premierships. Western Districts were unable to qualify for the finals between the years of 1956 and 1962, before suffering consecutive grand final losses at the hands of Mayne
Mayne Australian Football Club
Mayne Australia Football Club are an Australian rules football club based in the Brisbane suburb of Enoggera. Their club colours are black and yellow and they are nicknamed the Tigers....
in 1966 and 1967. The club's next, and last ever, grand final appearances came consecutively in 1977, 1978 and 1979. The Bulldogs narrowly won premierships by 5 points against Wilston Grange in 1977, and by 4 points against Windsor/Zillmere
Zillmere Eagles Australian Football Club
Zillmere Eagles Australian Football Club is an Australian rules football clubs which once competed in the AFL Queensland State League competition. The club is based in the suburb of Zillmere in the northern suburbs of Brisbane...
in 1978, before losing what would be their last grand final appearance to Sandgate in 1979. Western Districts eventually merged with Sherwood in 1991 to form the West Brisbane Australian Football Club. The Western Districts Australian Football Club had a number of very successful players in their midst throughout their existence. Doug Pittard won two Grogan Medal
Grogan Medal
The Grogan Medal is an Australian rules football award given to the best and fairest player in home and away rounds of each season's QAFL/Queensland State League competition. It was first awarded in 1946, previously the league's best player won the De Little Medal.-Winners:-External links:*...
s during his time at the club to go with his De Little Medal he won with Taringa, and played a handful of games for the Footscray reserves. Owen Backwell was also a dual Grogan Medal
Grogan Medal
The Grogan Medal is an Australian rules football award given to the best and fairest player in home and away rounds of each season's QAFL/Queensland State League competition. It was first awarded in 1946, previously the league's best player won the De Little Medal.-Winners:-External links:*...
ist for the Bulldogs, who topped the league goal kicking in 1977, played over 300 games for the club, including the 1977 and 1978 premierships, and had a short stint with the Fitzroy Football Club
Fitzroy Football Club
The Fitzroy Football Club, formerly nicknamed The Lions, is an Australian rules football club formed in 1883 to represent the inner Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy, Victoria and was a foundation member club of the Victorian Football League on its inception in 1897...
. Ray Hughson topped the league goal kicking while playing for Western Districts a remarkable six times (1958, 1959, 1962–65), while Gavin Crosisca
Gavin Crosisca
Gavin Crosisca is a former Australian rules footballer in the VFL/AFL.Debuting in the VFL 1987 with the Collingwood Football Club, Crosisca was recruited from Western Districts Australian Football Club in Queensland...
(over 250 AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
games for Collingwood
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
), Ray Smith (over 100 VFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
games for Essendon
Essendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
and Melbourne
Melbourne Football Club
The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League , based in Melbourne, Victoria....
), and Gary Shaw (Collingwood
Collingwood Football Club
The Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
and the Brisbane Bears
Brisbane Bears
The Brisbane Football Club, formerly nicknamed The Bears was an Australian rules football club and the first Queensland-based club in the Victorian Football League . The club played its first match in 1987, but struggled on and off the field until it made the finals for the first time in 1995...
, and still coaches at the Western Magpies) all went on to play in in the VFL/AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
.
Sherwood AFC
The Sherwood Australian Football Club developed out of the Sherwood Junior Australian Football Club, which was formed in 1956. As the junior club grew in size, there was a desire to have a direct senior team for the Sherwood JAFC, which saw the Sherwood AFC formed to compete in the Metropolitan Division of the QAFL. The club was based at Chelmer Oval, 41 Chelmer st, ChelmerChelmer, Queensland
Chelmer is an inner suburb of Brisbane, Australia located 7 km west of the Brisbane CBD on the Brisbane River. Chelmer is zoned as a residential area, and consists of low-density housing. It has many fine Queenslanders, characterised by wooden verandahs, wide stairways and roofing of...
, directly next to the Queenscroft st ground of the Western Districts, which is the current home of the Western Magpies. The club took on the black and white stripes of their junior club as well as the emblem of the magpie
Magpie
Magpies are passerine birds of the crow family, Corvidae.In Europe, "magpie" is often used by English speakers as a synonym for the European Magpie, as there are no other magpies in Europe outside Iberia...
, both of which are still thoroughly attached to the club to the current day thanks to the winning of a coin toss with Shouthport (who had previously had the same colours and emblem) upon the entry of both clubs to the QAFL in 1983. This occurred after Sherwood managed to work their way up through the divisions, culminating in their 1983 promotion into the QAFL. In 1991 Sherwood AFC merged with the Western Districts to form the West Brisbane Australian Football Club, which could be a single footballing force in Brisbane's western suburbs. Players of particular note for the Sherwood AFC include John Rantall
John Rantall
John "Mopsy" Rantall was an Australian rules footballer in the Victorian Football League.Originally from Cobden, Rantall moved to the South Melbourne Football Club where he debuted in 1963. He moved to North Melbourne Football Club with the intention of playing in a premiership side in 1973 and...
, the 336 game South Melbourne
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
, North Melbourne
North Melbourne Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
and Fitzroy
Fitzroy Football Club
The Fitzroy Football Club, formerly nicknamed The Lions, is an Australian rules football club formed in 1883 to represent the inner Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy, Victoria and was a foundation member club of the Victorian Football League on its inception in 1897...
VFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
veteran who coached Sherwood in their debut season in the QAFL, and 1983 Grogan Medal
Grogan Medal
The Grogan Medal is an Australian rules football award given to the best and fairest player in home and away rounds of each season's QAFL/Queensland State League competition. It was first awarded in 1946, previously the league's best player won the De Little Medal.-Winners:-External links:*...
winner, Bill Pierce, whom the Western Magpies best and fairest in now named after.
West Brisbane AFC
A merger between the Western Districts AFC and the Sherwood AFC in 1991 saw a single senior force in the western suburbs formed in the form of the West Brisbane Australian Football Club. The merged club adopted the black and white colours of Sherwood, played out of Chelmer Oval, ChelmerChelmer, Queensland
Chelmer is an inner suburb of Brisbane, Australia located 7 km west of the Brisbane CBD on the Brisbane River. Chelmer is zoned as a residential area, and consists of low-density housing. It has many fine Queenslanders, characterised by wooden verandahs, wide stairways and roofing of...
and were nicknamed The Warriors. The club was successful in winning a premiership in the 1996 season, comfortably defeating Mt Gravatt
Mt Gravatt Australian Football Club
Mount Gravatt Australian Football Club, is a Brisbane based club competing in the AFL Queensland Australian rules football competition. Formed in the early 1970s, the club has been affiliated with AFL Queensland since 1994....
17.10 (112) to 8.10 (58), with Corey Lambert claiming that year's Grogan Medal
Grogan Medal
The Grogan Medal is an Australian rules football award given to the best and fairest player in home and away rounds of each season's QAFL/Queensland State League competition. It was first awarded in 1946, previously the league's best player won the De Little Medal.-Winners:-External links:*...
. Unfortunately, due to financial reasons West Brisbane were unable to compete in the following year's competition and had a few seasons out of the State competition before returning as the re-branded Western Magpies Australian Football Club in 2001.
The Current Club
The West Brisbane Australian Football Club that disbanded at the end of 1997 reformed in 1999 under the name of the Western Magpies Australian Football Club and in 2001 re-entered the QAFL which had merged with its Gold Coast equivalent to become the AFL Queensland State League. After four years of mediocre on-field performances and financial struggles, when the AFLQAFL Queensland
AFL Queensland is the governing body of Australian rules football in Queensland. It was formed in 2000 after the previous governing body for the sport in Queensland, the Queensland Australian Football League , went into voluntary liquidation...
decided to undertake a major re-shuffling of the leagues in 2004 to create a two tier State League
AFL Queensland
AFL Queensland is the governing body of Australian rules football in Queensland. It was formed in 2000 after the previous governing body for the sport in Queensland, the Queensland Australian Football League , went into voluntary liquidation...
competition the Western Magpies were relegated to the newly created Division Two. Paul Grentell was appointed the club's senior coach, and the Magpies set about strengthening every aspect of the football club in the hopes of returning to Division One. The senior team narrowly missed out on a place in the 2005 Division Two grand final, but were successful in reaching the grand final in 2006, 2007 and 2008. The Western Magpies defeated the Noosa Tigers in the 2006 decider, before losing to the Palm Beach Currumbin Lions
Palm Beach Currumbin Australian Football Club
The Palm Beach Currumbin Australian Football Club is an Australian rules football club on the Gold Coast, Queensland. The club emblem is the lion and the club plays in both Division One and Division Two of the AFL Queensland State League.-External links:*...
in the final game of 2007. Despite losing the 2007 grand final, it was announced at the end of that year that the Western Magpies would be returning to Division One of the State League in 2009. The Magpies rebounded from their 2007 loss to Palm Beach
Palm Beach Currumbin Australian Football Club
The Palm Beach Currumbin Australian Football Club is an Australian rules football club on the Gold Coast, Queensland. The club emblem is the lion and the club plays in both Division One and Division Two of the AFL Queensland State League.-External links:*...
to end the Lions 38 game winning streak at their Chelmer
Chelmer, Queensland
Chelmer is an inner suburb of Brisbane, Australia located 7 km west of the Brisbane CBD on the Brisbane River. Chelmer is zoned as a residential area, and consists of low-density housing. It has many fine Queenslanders, characterised by wooden verandahs, wide stairways and roofing of...
home ground during the 2008 home and away season, and followed this up by defeating the Lions again in a thrilling grand final. This capped the club's time in Division Two off nicely, leaving them with two premierships (2006 & 2008) and three grand final appearances (2006–2008) from their four years in lower division. During this four year period, the reserves team played in the Division Two grand final (each year 2005–2008), winning premierships in 2005, 2006 and 2007, while the under 18 and women's teams both continued to participate in Division One of their competitions.
Links To Other Local Clubs
The Western Magpies enjoy close relationships with all of the junior and senior clubs within Brisbane's western suburbs in their role as the focal point for football ball in the area. All junior clubs within the area are encouraged to promote the Western Magpies as the pathway into the AFLAustralian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
for young players in the western suburbs. In a similar way, the club also relates closely with the surrounding senior clubs, as they also provide a pathway for players to play at a standard of football that best suits their ability. In particular, the Western Magpies work closely with the Sherwood Junior Australian Football Club and the Kenmore Australian Football Club
Kenmore Australian Football Club
The Kenmore Australian Football Club, also known as the Kenmore Bears is an Australian rules football club formed as an off-shoot of an older junior club which is notable as having produced Australian Football League players Mal Michael and Courtenay Dempsey.- Formation :The Kenmore Bears was...
. The junior clubs within the western suburbs that the Western Magpies work with include;
- Collingwood Park
- Ferny Grove
- Forest Lake
- The Gap
- Kenmore
- Jindalee
- Moggill
- Moorooka
- Park Ridge
- Sherwood
- Southern Redbacks
- Springfield Lakes
- Wests Juniors
- Yeronga
Sherwood Junior AFC
The senior Western Magpies club is based out of the same grounds and facilities as the Sherwood Junior AFC. The two clubs are both affiliated with the Sherwood Football social club, and Sherwood Junior AFC acts as one of the many local feeder clubs to the Western Magpies, with many juniors moving up from the Sherwood juniors into the senior club. The Sherwood Junior AFC's aim is to produce quality players to graduate into football with the Western Magpies, and eventually to the AFLAustralian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
. The official website of the Sherwood Junior AFC is located at www.sherwoodafc.com.
Kenmore AFC
The Kenmore Australian Football ClubKenmore Australian Football Club
The Kenmore Australian Football Club, also known as the Kenmore Bears is an Australian rules football club formed as an off-shoot of an older junior club which is notable as having produced Australian Football League players Mal Michael and Courtenay Dempsey.- Formation :The Kenmore Bears was...
are a separate club who play in Division One of the AFLQ State Association
AFLQ State Association
AFLQ State Association is an Australian Rules Football association which includes clubs from South East Queensland...
. The Kenmore Bears
Kenmore Australian Football Club
The Kenmore Australian Football Club, also known as the Kenmore Bears is an Australian rules football club formed as an off-shoot of an older junior club which is notable as having produced Australian Football League players Mal Michael and Courtenay Dempsey.- Formation :The Kenmore Bears was...
and the Western Magpies enjoy a close relationship that sees players transfer between the two clubs in order to play the best possible level of football. The two clubs' grounds are situated next to each other in Chelmer
Chelmer, Queensland
Chelmer is an inner suburb of Brisbane, Australia located 7 km west of the Brisbane CBD on the Brisbane River. Chelmer is zoned as a residential area, and consists of low-density housing. It has many fine Queenslanders, characterised by wooden verandahs, wide stairways and roofing of...
, with Kenmore
Kenmore Australian Football Club
The Kenmore Australian Football Club, also known as the Kenmore Bears is an Australian rules football club formed as an off-shoot of an older junior club which is notable as having produced Australian Football League players Mal Michael and Courtenay Dempsey.- Formation :The Kenmore Bears was...
playing out of the Queenscroft st grounds that were once those of the Western Districts Australian Football Club. In 2008 these grounds were closed for redevelopment, and Kenmore
Kenmore Australian Football Club
The Kenmore Australian Football Club, also known as the Kenmore Bears is an Australian rules football club formed as an off-shoot of an older junior club which is notable as having produced Australian Football League players Mal Michael and Courtenay Dempsey.- Formation :The Kenmore Bears was...
played their all of their home games for that season on the Western Magpies field. The official website of the Kenmore Bears
Kenmore Australian Football Club
The Kenmore Australian Football Club, also known as the Kenmore Bears is an Australian rules football club formed as an off-shoot of an older junior club which is notable as having produced Australian Football League players Mal Michael and Courtenay Dempsey.- Formation :The Kenmore Bears was...
is located at www.kenmore.aflq.com.au.
2008 season
The Western Magpies Australian Football Club competed in the Pineapple Hotel Cup in 2008, the Division Two competition of the AFL Queensland State League. The president for 2008 was Matthew Vowles, who entered the position in 2007, and the captain Chris Mihalopolous, a junior of the Sherwood Junior AFC. Paul Grentell, who took over the position as senior coach in 2004, was to coach the senior team in 2008, assisted by Peter McClennan (reserves coach), Hadyn Dowley, Quentin Johnson and Brian Millar. After being defeated by the Palm Beach Currumbin Australian Football ClubPalm Beach Currumbin Australian Football Club
The Palm Beach Currumbin Australian Football Club is an Australian rules football club on the Gold Coast, Queensland. The club emblem is the lion and the club plays in both Division One and Division Two of the AFL Queensland State League.-External links:*...
in the 2007 grand final, the Western Magpies went through the 2008 home and away season with fifteen wins out of eighteen games to sit second on the ladder to the Palm Beach Currumbin Lions
Palm Beach Currumbin Australian Football Club
The Palm Beach Currumbin Australian Football Club is an Australian rules football club on the Gold Coast, Queensland. The club emblem is the lion and the club plays in both Division One and Division Two of the AFL Queensland State League.-External links:*...
before the commencement of the finals series. The Magpies's only losses were against Palm Beach Currumbin
Palm Beach Currumbin Australian Football Club
The Palm Beach Currumbin Australian Football Club is an Australian rules football club on the Gold Coast, Queensland. The club emblem is the lion and the club plays in both Division One and Division Two of the AFL Queensland State League.-External links:*...
(Round 1), Coolangatta Tweed Head (Round 2) and Burleigh (Round 16), and one of the most memorable victories came in Round 14, when the Magpies defeated the Palm Beach Currumbin Lions
Palm Beach Currumbin Australian Football Club
The Palm Beach Currumbin Australian Football Club is an Australian rules football club on the Gold Coast, Queensland. The club emblem is the lion and the club plays in both Division One and Division Two of the AFL Queensland State League.-External links:*...
18.8 (116) to 5.16 (46) to end the Lions's 34 game winning streak. The Western Magpies and the Palm Beach Currumbin Lions
Palm Beach Currumbin Australian Football Club
The Palm Beach Currumbin Australian Football Club is an Australian rules football club on the Gold Coast, Queensland. The club emblem is the lion and the club plays in both Division One and Division Two of the AFL Queensland State League.-External links:*...
both made it through the finals series into the 2008 AFL Queensland State League grand final for a rematch of the previous year's grand final. The two clubs fought out a tough contest, which saw the Lions
Palm Beach Currumbin Australian Football Club
The Palm Beach Currumbin Australian Football Club is an Australian rules football club on the Gold Coast, Queensland. The club emblem is the lion and the club plays in both Division One and Division Two of the AFL Queensland State League.-External links:*...
lead throughout the first three quarters of the game. The Magpies lifted during the third quarter to close in on the minor premiers, and managed to kick six goals to two in a thrilling final quarter to take out a nail biting decider, 16.8 (104) to 14.17 (101). The Magpies reserves went through the home and away season with only two losses, to Wilston Grange and Burleigh. This left the team on top of the ladder, one game clear of their closest rivals. The reserves won their way straight through to the grand final, where they were unable to make it four consecutive Division Two premierships, being soundly beaten by Aspley
Aspley Australian Football Club
Aspley Hornets Football Club is an Australian rules football club competing in the AFL Queensland State League competition.-Overview:A strong club financially and in terms of playing numbers, the Aspley Hornets were admitted to the Division One competition in 2009 following the collapse of fellow...
10.8 (68) to 21.7 (133). The Western Magpies under 18 team won three of their matches curing the season, and were unable to secure a place in the finals.
Award Winners
The following awards were presented at the Western Magpies Australian Football Club presentation night on the 18th of October.Seniors
- Bill Pierce Medal for Best & Fairest – Val Pope
- Runner-Up Best & Fairest – Richard Wenham
- Most Consistent – Greg Friis
- BG Award – Tim McEvoy
- Rookie of the Year – Gerard Moore
- Best Back – Mark Dowley
- Best Midfielder – Richard Wenham
- Best Forward – Adam Gillespie
- Best Finals Player – Luke Scott
- Best on Ground in the Grand Final – James Rozynski
Reserves
- Best & Fairest – Jye Spencer
- Runner-Up Best & Fairest – Blake McClennan
- Most Consistent – Luke Knight
- Most Improved Player – Dominic Beer
- Best Back – Scott Hughes
- Best Midfielder – Matthew Page
- Best Forward – Jay Baker
- Best Finals Player – Cameron Thomas
Under 18
- Maurie McNamee Medal for Best & Fairest – Mark Stratton
- Runner-Up Best & Fairest – Daniel Massey
- Most Consistent – Cory Colhoun
- Most Improved – Jordan Patterson
- Encouragement Award – Matthew Green
- Russell Green Memorial Trophy for Coach of the Year – Gary ShawGary Shaw (Australian footballer)Gary Shaw is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Collingwood and the Brisbane Bears in the Victorian Football League during the 1980s....
2009 season
It was announced at the end of 2007 that the Western Magpies would be returning to Division One of the AFL Queensland State League from 2009. After achieving successful results, it was felt that the Magpies had made enough progress to warrant a western suburbs presence in the State League. In 2008 the club hired Anthony McDonald as Club Development Officer to assist in the progression up to the State League, and began interviewing potential players to bolster their playing list for the 2009 season. The club's existing young talent was bolstered by the signings of 2007 Tasmanian under 18 representative Matt Dillon and former St Kilda rookie and Western Magpie junior Ed McDonnell but overall the Magpies failed to recruit many top level players. The Western Magpies senior squad were put through a tough pre-season program before hosting the Redland BombersRedland Australian Football Club
Redland Australian Football Club is a Redland City-based Australian rules football club competing in the AFL Queensland State League competition.-History:...
in round one of the season. The Magpies seniors team were unable to get a victory in their first match in the AFL Queensland State League, losing by 48 points in a match that has so far set the tone for their season. The Western Magpies seniors are currently yet to record a victory in the 2009 season, as seen in the table of results below;
| Round | Venue | Opposition | Magpies Score | Opposition Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelmer | Redland Redland Australian Football Club Redland Australian Football Club is a Redland City-based Australian rules football club competing in the AFL Queensland State League competition.-History:... |
11.7.73 | 17.19.121 |
| 2 | Cooke-Murphy Oval | Labrador Tigers | 4.6.30 | 22.19.151 |
| 3 | Chelmer | Broadbeach Cats | 15.6.96 | 21.11.137 |
| 4 | Fankhauser Reserve | Southport Sharks | 2.7.19 | 28.12.180 |
| 5 | Chelmer | Aspley Hornets Aspley Australian Football Club Aspley Hornets Football Club is an Australian rules football club competing in the AFL Queensland State League competition.-Overview:A strong club financially and in terms of playing numbers, the Aspley Hornets were admitted to the Division One competition in 2009 following the collapse of fellow... |
17.9.111 | 18.19.118 |
| 6 | Chelmer | Morningside Panthers Morningside Australian Football Club Morningside Australian Football Club, also known as Morningside AFC or the Panthers, is an Australian Rules football club based at Jack Esplen Oval in the suburb of Hawthorne in Brisbane... |
10.7.67 | 31.13.199 |
| 7 | Traeger Park Traeger Park Traeger Park is a small stadium located in Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia.The stadium hosts Australian rules football and cricket matches and has a capacity of 10,000.... |
Northern Territory Thunder Northern Territory Football Club Northern Territory Football Club, nicknamed The Thunder, is a Northern Territory-based Australian rules football club competing in the NEAFL Australian Rules Football competition.-History:... |
6.7.43 | 26.13.169 |
| 8 | Chelmer | Brisbane Lions Brisbane Lions The Brisbane Lions is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Brisbane, Queensland. The club was formed from the merger of the Brisbane Bears and the Fitzroy Lions in 1996... |
11.10.76 | 16.9.105 |
| 9 | Esplen Oval | Morningside Panthers Morningside Australian Football Club Morningside Australian Football Club, also known as Morningside AFC or the Panthers, is an Australian Rules football club based at Jack Esplen Oval in the suburb of Hawthorne in Brisbane... |
5.5.35 | 27.21.183 |
| 10 | Dittmer Park | Mount Gravatt Vultures Mt Gravatt Australian Football Club Mount Gravatt Australian Football Club, is a Brisbane based club competing in the AFL Queensland Australian rules football competition. Formed in the early 1970s, the club has been affiliated with AFL Queensland since 1994.... |
4.5.29 | 25.16.166 |
| 11 | Chelmer | Northern Territory Thunder Northern Territory Football Club Northern Territory Football Club, nicknamed The Thunder, is a Northern Territory-based Australian rules football club competing in the NEAFL Australian Rules Football competition.-History:... |
10.11.71 | 16.16.112 |
| 12 | Chelmer | Labrador Tigers | 14.10.94 | 18.12.120 |
| 13 | Merrimac Oval | Broadbeach Cats | 6.10.46 | 15.18.108 |
| 14 | Graham Rd | Aspley Hornets Aspley Australian Football Club Aspley Hornets Football Club is an Australian rules football club competing in the AFL Queensland State League competition.-Overview:A strong club financially and in terms of playing numbers, the Aspley Hornets were admitted to the Division One competition in 2009 following the collapse of fellow... |
12.9.81 | 20.13.133 |
| 15 | Chelmer | Southport Sharks | 5.7.37 | 15.20.110 |
| 16 | Chelmer | Mount Gravatt Vultures Mt Gravatt Australian Football Club Mount Gravatt Australian Football Club, is a Brisbane based club competing in the AFL Queensland Australian rules football competition. Formed in the early 1970s, the club has been affiliated with AFL Queensland since 1994.... |
12.8.80 | 17.12.144 |
| 17 | Victoria Point Oval | Redland Redland Australian Football Club Redland Australian Football Club is a Redland City-based Australian rules football club competing in the AFL Queensland State League competition.-History:... |
12.7.79 | 15.16.106 |
| 18 | The Gabba | Brisbane Lions Brisbane Lions The Brisbane Lions is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Brisbane, Queensland. The club was formed from the merger of the Brisbane Bears and the Fitzroy Lions in 1996... |
8.11.59 | 32.19.211 |
Seniors Awards
- Bill Pierce Medal for Best & Fairest – Ben Heffernan-Roper
- Runner-Up Best & Fairest – Chris Judson
- BG Award – Luke Scott
- Rookie of the Year – Ben Jaenke-Cain
- Best Back – Ed McDonnell
- Best Midfielder – Ben Heffernan-Roper
- Best Forward – Josh Barton
- Hard luck story - Chris McClennan
Senior Premierships
Queensland Australian Football League- 1953 – Western Districts
- 1954 – Western Districts
- 1977 – Western Districts
- 1978 – Western Districts
- 1996 – West Brisbane
AFL Queensland State League – Division Two
- 2006 – Western Magpies
- 2008 – Western Magpies
AFL Queensland State League – Division One
- None
AFL/VFL Listed Players
- Ray SmithRay Smith (footballer)Raymond Kehm "Ray" Smith is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Essendon and Melbourne in the Victorian Football League during the 1970s....
(Western Districts) – Essendon BombersEssendon Football ClubThe Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
(1971–1975, 77 games 1 goal), Melbourne DemonsMelbourne Football ClubThe Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League , based in Melbourne, Victoria....
(1975–1976, 27 games 1 goal) - Gary ShawGary Shaw (Australian footballer)Gary Shaw is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Collingwood and the Brisbane Bears in the Victorian Football League during the 1980s....
(Western Districts) – Collingwood MagpiesCollingwood Football ClubThe Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
(1983–1986, 32 games 33 goals), Brisbane BearsBrisbane BearsThe Brisbane Football Club, formerly nicknamed The Bears was an Australian rules football club and the first Queensland-based club in the Victorian Football League . The club played its first match in 1987, but struggled on and off the field until it made the finals for the first time in 1995...
(1987, 6 games 5 goals) - Craig PotterCraig Potter (Australian footballer)Craig Potter is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Sydney and Brisbane Bears in the Victorian/Australian Football League ....
(Western Districts) – Sydney SwansSydney SwansThe Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
(1984–1990, 42 games 16 goals) Brisbane BearsBrisbane BearsThe Brisbane Football Club, formerly nicknamed The Bears was an Australian rules football club and the first Queensland-based club in the Victorian Football League . The club played its first match in 1987, but struggled on and off the field until it made the finals for the first time in 1995...
(1991–1993, 13 games 3 goals) - Gavin CrosiscaGavin CrosiscaGavin Crosisca is a former Australian rules footballer in the VFL/AFL.Debuting in the VFL 1987 with the Collingwood Football Club, Crosisca was recruited from Western Districts Australian Football Club in Queensland...
(Western Districts) – Collingwood MagpiesCollingwood Football ClubThe Collingwood Football Club, nicknamed The Magpies, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
(1987–2000, 246 games 64 goals) - Simon LuhrsSimon LuhrsSimon Luhrs is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the Brisbane Bears in the Australian Football League ....
(Western Districts) – Brisbane BearsBrisbane BearsThe Brisbane Football Club, formerly nicknamed The Bears was an Australian rules football club and the first Queensland-based club in the Victorian Football League . The club played its first match in 1987, but struggled on and off the field until it made the finals for the first time in 1995...
(1991–1993, 12 games 0 goals) - Simon HoseSimon HoseSimon Hose is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the Brisbane Bears in the Victorian Football League ....
(Western Districts) – Sydney SwansSydney SwansThe Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
(1986–1988, 0 games 0 goals) Brisbane BearsBrisbane BearsThe Brisbane Football Club, formerly nicknamed The Bears was an Australian rules football club and the first Queensland-based club in the Victorian Football League . The club played its first match in 1987, but struggled on and off the field until it made the finals for the first time in 1995...
(1989–1990, 5 games, 2 goals) - Marty PaskMarty PaskMartin "Marty" Pask is a former Australian rules footballer in the Australian Football League for the Brisbane Lions and Western Bulldogs. After his AFL Career was brought to a premature end Pask reached his true level of talent in the Victorian Football League with the Werribee Tigers...
(Western Magpies) – Brisbane LionsBrisbane LionsThe Brisbane Lions is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Brisbane, Queensland. The club was formed from the merger of the Brisbane Bears and the Fitzroy Lions in 1996...
(2006, 8 games 4 goals), Western Bulldogs (2007, 0 games 0 goals)
Grogan Medallists
Note: Prior to 1946, the Grogan MedalGrogan Medal
The Grogan Medal is an Australian rules football award given to the best and fairest player in home and away rounds of each season's QAFL/Queensland State League competition. It was first awarded in 1946, previously the league's best player won the De Little Medal.-Winners:-External links:*...
was titled the De Little Medal.
- 1939 – C.Vigden (Taringa)
- 1940 – D.Pittard (Taringa)
- 1946 – D.Pittard (Western Districts)
- 1947 – D.Pittard (Western Districts)
- 1956 – T.PellyTom PellyTom Pelly is a former Australian rules footballer who played with North Melbourne in the Victorian Football League during the 1950s....
(Western Districts) - 1958 – A.Stewart (Western Districts)
- 1971 – O.Backwell (Western Districts)
- 1975 – O.Backwell (Western Districts)
- 1977 – P.Taylor (Western Districts)
- 1983 – W.Pierce (Sherwood)
- 1996 – C.Lambert (West Brisbane)
League Leading Goalkickers
- 1958 – R.Hughson (Western Districts) [71]
- 1959 – R.Hughson (Western Districts) [114]
- 1962 – R.Hughson (Western Districts) [105]
- 1963 – R.Hughson (Western Districts) [109]
- 1964 – R.Hughson (Western Districts) [111]
- 1965 – R.Hughson (Western Districts) [90]
- 1977 – O.Backwell (Western Districts) [93]