ROUND 6 PREVIEW
SENIOR’S
Merimbula v Eden (Berrambool Sports Complex, Merimbula) 2:30pm
Tathra v Bermagui (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 2:30pm
Pambula v Narooma (Pambula Sports Complex) 2:30pm
DEVELOPMENT
Pambula v Narooma (Pambula Sports Complex) 11:50am
Tathra v Merimbula (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 12:20pm
WOMEN’S
Pambula v Narooma (Pambula Sports Complex) 1:10pm
BM Giants v Eden (Kyla Park, Tuross Heads) 1:10pm
Merimbula v Bega (Berrambool Sports Complex, Merimbula) 1:10pm
Tathra & Bermagui Bye
Narooma Bye
Round 6 Preview
Merimbula v Eden
The Diggers and Whalers will be searching for their first win this weekend and have the ability to stay in touch with the top four. The Diggers regain Justin Burch for the weekend with Burch finding great form towards the end of 2016. The Whalers will be bolstered by Quenbeyan Tiger Mitch Wallis and Mernda player Luke Martin. The Diggers will be confident having run with Tathra for 3 and 1/2 quarters in their last match and a loss here could be costly for their chances of playing finals in 2017.
Player to Watch: Will Regan, Was voted as the Sapphire Coast’s best on ground in last weekends senior rep match which is a huge confidence boost for the 17 year old. Prediction: Merimbula by 34 Points.
Tathra v Bermagui
A big weekend for the Tathra Sea Eagles this weekend with club legend David ‘Croc’ Little to play in his 300th senior match this weekend. Little has done it all in the Sapphire Coast AFL having won 6 senior premierships as well as two league best and fairest awards. Often seen cutting off opposition attacks, Tathra will be hoping that he can continue his iconic play this weekend against the Breakers who will be looking to spoil the party and draw level with Tathra on 3 wins and 2 losses.
Player to Watch: David Little, Can’t go past the man playing his 300th game. When all is said and done Little will go down as not only one of the best players in the maroon and white but also one of the best players to have graced the field on the Sapphire Coast. A win would be fitting in his 300th. Prediction: Tathra by 22 Points.
Pambula v Narooma
On paper this is set to be the match of the round and arguably one of the matches of the season. The Panthers host the Lions with the winner to be top of the table at the conclusion of round 6. Both squads had a number of players in the rep side last weekend which shows why both clubs are sitting toward the top in season 2017. The Panthers will be looking to provide immense pressure like they did a fortnight ago to restrict the Lions ball movement and capitalise on turnovers.
Player to Watch: Jason Sauiluma, was voted by the umpires as the Sapphire Coasts best player last weekend in Batemans Bay and his grunt work in the middle will be required this weekend. Prediction: Pambula by 10 Points.
Women’s
Some good matches on paper this weekend with the Panthers set to host the unbeaten Lions this weekend. This will be the Lions biggest test of the season going up against the Panthers who will be looking to rebound after their first loss of the season last weekend against Tathra. The battle between Madi Whatman and Madelyne Czubara will be one to watch. In Merimbula the Diggers and Bega Bombers are looking for their first win of the year. Both teams have improved immensely since round 1 with the Diggers pushing the Giants last weekend in a ripping contest. Both teams will be confident of edging off the bottom. In the final match the Giants host the Whalers at home with Eden coming into town fresh after the weekend off. The Giants recorded their first win for the year last weekend and will give Eden a run for their money this weekend.
Player to Watch: Rachael Kincaid, The Narooma Lion sits 1 goal behind the lead for the leading goal kicker this season and bad this weekend will help the Lions claim a big scalp and show that Narooma are contenders in 2017. Prediction: Bermagui, Pambula, & BM Giants.
Development
In Pambula, the undefeated Panthers host the undefeated Lions with the top three shaping up in the development grade. The depth of both the Lions and Panthers is on display in the development grade with some good players taking the field for both teams. The Panthers youth will look to run over the top of the more experienced Narooma side. In Tathra, the Sea Eagles will look to bounce back after a loss last weekend as they take on the winless Diggers looking to bounce back from tough loss against the Giants who recorded their first win.
Prediction: Pambula & Tathra.
UNDER 16’s
BM Giants v Bermagui (Kyla Park, Tuross Heads) 9:10am
Pambula v Narooma (Pambula Sports Complex) 10:30am
UNDER 13’s
Merimbula v Bega (Berrambool Sports Complex, Merimbula) 10:30am
BM Giants v Eden (Kyla Park, Tuross Heads) 11:50am
Pambula v Narooma (Pambula Sports Complex) 9:10am
UNDER 11’s
Merimbula v Bega (Berrambool Sports Complex, Merimbula) 10:30am
BM Giants v Eden (Kyla Park, Tuross Heads) 10:30am
Pambula v Narooma (Pambula Sports Complex) 8:00am
Tathra & Bermagui Bye
Round 6 Preview
Under 16’s
The Broulee/Moruya Giants were hoping for a bit better performance last weekend when they were beaten convincingly by the Diggers although will have the opportunity to bounce back this weekend against a winless Bermagui side. The Breakers had the weekend off last weekend and will be fresh this weekend. The last time these two played the game went down to the wire and expect a similar match this weekend. In Pambula, the Panthers will be looking to continue their fine form when they take on the Lions at home. The Panthers key forwards in Flynn Cook and Angus Tarpey have been key so far in 2017. The young Lions may find the going tough this weekend although will be looking to take it to the Panthers for four quarters. The key for the Lions will be to shut down midfielder Finley Cooke if hey are to be a chance this weekend.
Player to Watch: Kynan Baker, One of the Panthers leaders is still just 15 years of age and uses the football well each possession. Prediction: Giants & Pambula.
Under 13’s
In Merimbula, the Diggers take on Bega with Merimbula keen to maintain second place on the ladder after 6 rounds. The Bombers had the weekend off last weekend due to a flooded Dickinson Oval and the young side will be looking for win number one this weekend. The Diggers home ground advantage should hold key in this match although Merimbula will be looking to kick a big score. In Pambula the Panthers take on Narooma with a win for Pambula keeping them in touch with the top 2 and a second chance come finals. The Panthers have a number of gun Will’s in the team and the Panthers may have one to many A graders for the Lions. In the final match the Giants host the Whalers. The Giants were big winners against Eden two weeks ago and the young Giants will be confident of doing so again. The Giants are still looking to take a big scalp but need to keep beating teams below them to stay in the hunt of the top 4.
Player to Watch: Damon Kerr, Kicked 2 goals last weekend in a best on ground display for the Diggers. One of the best mids in the comp getting the ball forward. Prediction: Merimbula, Giants & Pambula.
Under 11’s
A big game in Merimbula this weekend with top of the table Merimbula taking on fourth placed Bega. The under 11 grade is wide open in 2017 with games to swing either way and this will be a cracking contest between two top sides. The Lions have been big improvers in 2017 and they will get a big test away from home this weekend against Pambula who is one win out of the 4. The Panthers are yet to beat a side in the top 4 and wins against these teams is key if clubs outside the 4 are to edge into the finals picture and not lose ground. Look for the improved Lions to continue their good form. In Tuross, the Giants host the Whalers with the Whalers looking to reverse their round 4 loss. The Whalers have been playing some good football against the top sides so far in 2017, although have not been able to claim wins against teams close to them on the ladder which could impact their finals hopes towards the end of the season. The Giants sit just outside of the top 4 and home ground advantage this weekend will be huge as they look to edge into the top 4.
Player to Watch: Raphael Turville, The Bega Bomber is a clean user of the football and key player in the Bombers chances to play finals football in 2017. Predictions: BM Giants, Bega & Narooma.
