Magpies won’t rest on laurels for Burnie bout

DESPITE being midway through a schedule of three games in 12 days, Glenorchy will not rest its big-name players ahead of a bout with Burnie on the North-West Coast on Sunday.

After a 70-point Anzac Day win over the Tigers this week, Magpies coach Aaron Cornelius said his side’s upcoming schedule would be tough. After Sunday’s road trip to West Park, ladder leaders the Pies face Clarence (third) and North Launceston (second) on the following two Saturdays — both at KGV.

But Cornelius was adamant he wasn’t set to rest his bigname players, including star forward Jaye Bowden and onballer Mitch Rainbird, for the Dockers match.

“We’ll certainly be taking those guys who are in good form,” he said.

“Every team playing us is really coming to win. We are going to be challenged over the next few weeks.”

Burnie defeated the Pies at West Park last year 79-53 — one of Glenorchy’s two defeats ahead of the 2016 premiership.

“Burnie are a different team at home and Proc [playing coach Clint Proctor] will be really revved up,” Cornelius said. “It’s a game of two halves at West Park. It’s not unknown that we elected to kick the wrong way last time . . . so the toss is important.”

Cornelius said Burnie, which is 1-3 this year, had some enthusiastic youngsters but would miss suspended captain Nick McKenna.

The Pies will also welcome Harrison Gunther into the squad.