Western Magpies

2012 SEQAFL Premiers 

About the Western
Magpies

The Western Magpies are a strong community club playing in the QAFL State League Competition. With a strong traditional junior base of 300+ players each year, the Magpies are known for their strong culture of developing talent from a young age as well as providing a talent pathway for the greater Western Brisbane catchment and beyond out to the Darling Downs.  

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The Western Magpies are able to attract quality players via utilisation of existing professional networks to assist players genuinely interested in furthering their professional development and career prospects, not just playing for match payments.

Below is a good example of how we recruit players..

Gareth Crawford – highly decorated player from Western District and Bendigo leagues including multiple B&F’s, league medal winner and representative career. Looked to move to Brisbane for a lifestyle change and career development. Heavily courted by all QAFL clubs, with match payment offers in excess of double what the Magpies match payments were.

However, at 32 was nearing the end of playing career and more interested in setting up a network and establishing himself professionally in Brisbane. Arrived at the club in January 2016 and lived with players from the club, was assisted by Directors and Footy Operations staff with various part-time jobs while we collectively searched for the right opportunity. Gareth was then able to secure full-time employment in his vocation of choice with a major global company while continuing to play high quality football with the Magpies in 2016 and 2017 including another Best & Fairest win in 2017 to add to an already bulging trophy cabinet.

Another example is Ryan Harwood. He was recently de-listed by the Brisbane Lions as a 26 year old, so has plenty of quality footy left. He was heavily courted in Tasmania, SA and by plenty of clubs in Brisbane.

However, we have helped with his professional interests and also assisted with matching him with club people who share the same interests in boating, fishing, hunting etc. He signed on for this reason despite the lower match payments.

In terms of match payments, the Western Magpies do offer $$$ per senior game for players of high calibre and good character. We will assist in other ways where possible.

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Known as having a great ‘teaching’ culture and an inclusive environment designed to develop players both professionally and personally – not just on the football field - the Magpies also manage to attract quality talent from outside their traditional pool such as recently retired or de-listed AFL players, as well as experienced and highly credentialed players from interstate looking for a lifestyle change in sunny Brisbane.

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