Magpies coach targets major scalp to secure finals berth

Denmark-Walpole coach Matt Candy says his side must take a big scalp in the next three weeks in order to play finals football this season.

The Magpies got over a gallant Albany last week to remain in finals contention but are still a game behind Royals, who they play in the final round of the home-and- away season.

With a tough three weeks to come against the Kangas, Mt Barker and then Railways, Candy said his side were capable of upsetting those above them on the ladder but they must avoid having a lapse, which had proved costly in a number of games they were in a position to win.

This Saturday, the Magpies will host the Kangas in a big day for their club, with the first edition of the Ben Napier Memorial Game.

A popular former player, Napier died almost a year ago and the club will honour him on Saturday with a gathering on the ground after the game, where his parents will present a best-on-ground medal.

The Magpies will also have a 40-year premiership reunion on Saturday afternoon.

Candy said the significance of the occasion would help his team.

“It’s going to be a big day out here,” he said. “We need a scalp — it doesn’t matter which one it is; we will take anyone.

“We have a very good team that is capable but we are still having those lapses in games.

“We want to play finals footy this year but we haven’t been good enough in a few games and we need to change that.”

The Magpies are set to regain star Tyler Stone along with Simon Barker, Luke Hutcheson and Jared Lane for the round 12 contest.

The Kangas will be boosted by the inclusion of midfielder Brock Ramsay while youngster Taj Williams is likely to be rested.

In other GSFL fixtures, the Tigers host the Bulls on Saturday afternoon in an intriguing top- three clash while on Sunday the Lions and Sharks do battle at Centennial Stadium.