ROUND 12 PREVIEW
Round 12 Fixtures…
Seniors
Eden v Pambula (Eden Football Ground) 2:30pm
Tathra v Narooma (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 2:30pm
Merimbula- Bye
Women’s
Pambula v BM Giants (Pambula Sports Complex) 1:10pm
Eden v Bermagui (Eden Football Ground) 1:10pm
Tathra v Narooma (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 1:10pm
Merimbula v Bega (Berrambool Complex) 1:10pm
Reserves
Pambula v BM Giants (Pambula Sport Complex) 11:50am
Tathra v Narooma (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 11:50am
Merimbula- Bye
Round 12 Preview
Tathra v Narooma
Narooma have been on a role in recent weeks although this weekend is set to be a big test for the Lions with the Sea Eagles set to pounce on home soil. Games between the two clubs at Lawrence Park have historically been close in recent seasons and this one is set to be no different. Both sides have plenty to play for with Narooma in pole position to claim top spot and a home semi final whilst Tathra will be looking to pounce on third spot with Pambula struggling with injuries and to find their best form.
Player to Watch: Samuel Nugent, Back for the weekend on a matchday permit from Molonglo in Canberra, look for the Narooma junior to enjoy playing for the Lions once again. Prediction: Narooma by 25 Points.
Eden v Pambula
The Panthers will be looking to get back on track this weekend and claim the four points against the Whalers in Eden this weekend. The Panthers are dealing with a number of injuries and absences to key players like Charlie Shepherd and Jake Taylor although Eden will be without a couple of key pieces due to holidays and injury. The last time these two played was a close hard fought contest, look for it to be like that yet again this weekend. Eden will be looking to claim win number one for the season whilst the Panthers will be keen to keep third.
Player to Watch: Justin Dickson, Has been in and out throughout the season although the Panthers are a much better side when he steps on the field. Look for the Panthers to have the upper hand this weekend if Dickson is to play. Prediction: Merimbula by 39 Points.
Women’s
There are some big games in the women’s competition this weekend although the biggest is set to be Merimbula hosting Bega in the match-up between two teams both looking for their first win of the season. The Diggers will have home field advantage this weekend although the Bombers will feel that they can take the win this weekend as they currently sit above Merimbula on the competition ladder.
Another big game this weekend sees Tathra host Narooma. The Lions will be looking to bounce back from a loss to local rivals Bermagui as they play a Sea Eagles side full of confidence as the side sits unbeaten atop the ladder. Pambula and Narooma sit four points above the Breakers on the ladder and wins elsewhere this weekend could see the race to the finals get very interesting.
In Eden the Whalers host the Breakers in what should be a cracking contest. The last time these two played, Eden won a tight contest and it is set to be another tight one this weekend. A win for Bermagui would be a huge result for the team which is starting to believe they can beat the top teams in the competition.
The final game this weekend sees Pambula host the Giants in another important game. The Giants have been extremely competitive this season and will be confident of a win against Pambula who have won four in a row.
Player to Watch: Jorja Moore, One of Bermagui’s best in 2018, Moore had a great carnival for the Stingray’s youth girls side with her ferocious tackling. Prediction: Tathra, Eden, Bega & Pambula.
Round 12 Fixtures…
Under 16s
Pambula v BM Giants (Pambula Sport Complex) 10:30am
Tathra v Narooma (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 10:30am
Merimbula v Bermagui (Berrambool Complex) 11:50am
Under 14s
Pambula v BM Giants (Pambula Sport Complex) 9:10am
Tathra v Bermagui (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 8:00am
Merimbula v Bega (Berrambool Complex) 10:30am
Under 12s
Pambula v BM Giants (Pambula Sport Complex) 8:00am
Tathra v Narooma (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 9:10am
Merimbula v Bega (Berrambool Complex) 9:10am
Eden v Bermagui (Eden Football Ground) 11:50am
Round 12 Preview
Under 16s
This weekend sees the top two sides go head to head with Tathra hosting Narooma in a game that will see the winner take sole position on top of the ladder. The Sea Eagles have won 4 of their last 5 fixtures and with Harrison Bromwich unlikely to play this weekend, Tathra sit in pole position to claim the four points.
In Merimbula the Diggers host Bermagui in what could be a vital game for Merimbula. The Diggers sit 4 points outside the top four and will need to start winning some matches if they are to creap into the top four. Bermagui’s form has surprised some in 2018 with the team having 5 more wins than in 2017, look for the Breakers to make it six.
Down in Pambula, the Panthers host the Giants in a key game for the clubs. The Giants have had greater consistency in their lineup in recent weeks playing some better football in recent weeks which has yielded some good results for the club. The Panthers will need a big performance this weekend if they are to claim the four points.
Player to Watch: Jack Hirst, The Giant was arguably the Stingrays best player up in Nowra during rep weekend and he will look to continue that good form this weekend. Prediction: Tathra, Bermagui & Broulee/Moruya.
Under 14s
A couple of big games in the under 14s competition this weekend. Merimbula host Bega at Berrambool this weekend and a win for the Diggers would see the side move 8 points clear in fourth place on the ladder. Prior to the break the Diggers were victorious in their match over Bega and with 2 wins in 3 games the Diggers will be looking to make it 3 in 4. Bega were impressive against Pambula in their last match and will be looking to bring that form this weekend.
In Pambula the Panthers take on third placed Broulee/Moruya, the Giants were blown away by Bermagui in their last match and will be looking for a better performance this weekend against another quality opponent. Pambula were sluggish against Bega prior to the break and will want a big game this weekend.
In the final match the Sea Eagles host Bermagui where the Breakers go into the match as keen favorites. At opposite ends of the table the Breakers should be too good in this contest.
Player to Watch: Billy Spackman, The Merimbula Digger played well for the Stingrays in Nowra as a bottom ager. Prediction: Merimbula, Bermagui & Pambula.
Under 12s
Round 12 sees the return of junior football after a couple of weeks off due to rep football and school holidays. The big match of the weekend sees Pambula hosting Broulee/Moruya in what is shaping up as a huge game for both clubs. The Giants have won three straight games prior to the break and sit just 4 points behind the fourth placed Panthers. Pambula will be looking to keep their good form going as well as the side claimed the four points against Bega last time out. The Whitby twins have been good inclusions for the Panthers and a win on the weekend should see the Panthers edge four points above Bega who take on the unbeaten Merimbula this weekend.
The Diggers are undefeated in 2018 whilst Bega have struggled to kick big scores against the top sides this season. The Bombers will need to hit the scoreboard this weekend if they are to trouble the Diggers on home soil.
In Tathra the Sea Eagles host the Narooma Lions, who have an unblemished record since the second round. It will take a monumental effort by Tathra to knock off the Lions who have been playing some good football prior to the mid season break.
In the final game of the weekend the Whalers host Bermagui with both teams looking to get back on the winners list after both teams dropped games prior to the break. The Breakers look set to play off in the elimination semi final as they sit 8 points adrift of the top two. The Whalers have struggled since Jemma Pollock went down injured early in the season although a good performance is often seen against the Breakers.
Player to Watch: Tom Miller, The Merimbula junior had a good representative carnival with Miller looking like he will have many more in years to come. Miller has been vital to the Diggers succes so far in 2018. Prediction: Narooma, Bermagui, Pambula & Merimbula.
