ROUND 12 PREVIEW
ROUND 12 PREVIEW
Round 12 sees some fantastic games in the Sapphire Coast AFL. With finals fast approaching there are some key matches in the under 11’s, under 13’s and women’s grade with teams looking to break into the top four.
ROUND 12 FIXTURES
SENIOR’S
Bermagui v Tathra (Dickinson Oval, Bermagui) 2:30pm
Eden v Narooma (Eden Football Ground) 2:30pm
Pambula v Merimbula (Pambula Sports Complex) 2:30pm
DEVELOPMENT
Pambula v Merimbula (Pambula Sports Complex) 11:50am
Tathra v BM Giants (Roy Howard Oval, Bega) 11:50am
WOMEN’S
Pambula v Merimbula (Pambula Sports Complex) 1:10pm
Bega v BM Giants (Roy Howard Oval, Bega) 1:10pm
Eden v Narooma (Eden Sports Ground) 1:10pm
Bermagui v Tathra (Dickinson Oval, Bermagui) 12:40pm
Round 12 Preview
Bermagui v Tathra
A big match as we near the conclusion of the season with both sides looking to get an edge on third spot on the ladder and the opportunity for a home final. Both teams are coming off solid performance last week without claiming the four points. Tathra were extremely impressive in the first quarter gaining a good lead over ladder leaders Narooma before tailing away whilst Bermagui played out a defensive battle against the Panthers to keep them to 4 goals whilst only kicking 2 themselves.
Player to Watch: Jack Dobell, The young Breaker has been having a breakout season in his return after taking 2016 off. Provides strong run off half back and a booming kick. Prediction: Tathra by 5 Points.
Eden v Narooma
This is shaping up as a percentage booster for the Lions as Narooma looks to get a big win this weekend in Eden. Three years ago this would have been a danger game for Narooma heading south although the club has come a long way since then and are playing the best football in the competition at present. The Whalers will be looking to limit the damage this weekend against the ladder leaders.
Player to Watch: Rowan Hawkey, Has played forward in recent weeks with teams double teaming S. Mackie and has been a solid option. Prediction: Narooma by 103 Points.
Pambula v Merimbula
In past seasons the local southern rivalry has been one of the most hotly contested matches across the country. 2017 sees the two clubs at opposite ends of the table although there should still plenty of spite in this contest. The Panthers forward line has been questioned in 2017 and last weekends performance didn’t ease the concerns. Although they lacked goals on the board, the Panthers defence was solid and will need to be again if the Diggers are able to put out their best forward line this weekend.
Player to Watch: Kyle Tucker, The Panther tall has been playing down back in 2017 and was influential last weekend against Bermagui in shutting down the Breakers forward plays. Prediction: Pambula by 26 Pts.
Women’s
The Giants will be looking to make it two wins in two weeks as they travel to Bega this weekend to take on the Bombers. Although the Giants have been improving week to week last weekends result against the Breakers was still a bit of a shock. The Giants are youthful and will be looking to run and carry this weekend against Bega who are in search of win number one on home soil. Down south the Whalers host the Lions with Narooma coming off two tough losses against the competition front runners in Pambula and Tathra, and things wont get any easier this weekend as they take on another power in Eden. The Whalers are hoping to cement a top two finish and a win this weekend is vital as the Panthers should claim the four points against Merimbula. With the Panthers equal on points with Eden this weekend is an opportunity for the Panthers to improve their already impressive percentage as they take on cross town rivals in the Merimbula Diggers. Last weekend was a bit of a reality check for the Diggers against Eden after some impressive performances with the Diggers looking to get back on track. The final game sees the Breakers host the Sea Eagles. The Breakers will be looking to take a big scalp in the latter part of the season and this weekend could be the match. Tathra have been impressive with key performances from H. Centra and S. Crowley and could be too strong for the Breakers.
Player to Watch: Lee Collimore, The speedy Panther is lightning and knows her way to goal. Was influential last time these two played. Prediction: Pambula, Eden, BM Giants & Tathra.
Development
The Panthers have been rolling in 2017 and this weekend shouldn’t be any different. The Panthers and Diggers battled it out last weekend and will go head to head this weekend again in the southern battle. Chris Clapton and Corey Tucker have been instrumental for the Panthers in 2017. In the second match up the Sea Eagles take on the Giants in Bega. The Giants will be well rested and looking to take a key win in the race to the finals against Tathra who have been inconsistent in 2017 due to player availability across the two senior grades.
Prediction: Tathra & Pambula.
ROUND 12 FIXTURES
UNDER 16’s
Pambula v Merimbula (Pambula Sports Complex) 10:30am
Bermagui v Narooma (Dickinson Oval, Bermagui) 9:10am
UNDER 13’s
Eden v Narooma (Eden Sports Ground) 11:50am
Pambula v Merimbula (Pambula Sports Complex) 9:10am
Bega v BM Giants (Roy Howard Oval, Bega) 10:30am
UNDER 11’s
Eden v Narooma (Eden Sports Ground) 10:30am
Pambula v Merimbula (Pambula Sports Complex) 8:00am
Bega v BM Giants (Roy Howard Oval, Bega) 9:10am
Bermagui v Tathra (Dickinson Oval, Bermagui) 11:20am
Round 12 Preview
Under 16’s
An earlier start may help the Narooma Lions this weekend with player availability. Depending on the line up for the Lions this weekend Bermagui could be a good chance to take win number 1 with the club feeling confident they can take the 4 points. Bermagui will need a big lift from the likes of Eric Hills, Jai Curven and Chris Olsen. The second match of the round will be the match of the round with Pambula set to host the high flying Merimbula Diggers. The Diggers will be without Jedd Martyn and Caleb Higgins who will be away on state duties in Perth which will give the Panthers the upper hand. The Diggers will need Tavita Wood, Max Geaghan and Ethan White to step up and take the lead this weekend.
Player to Watch: Scott Parsons, The Breakers forward has been improving each week in his first 16’s season. Prediction: Pambula & Narooma.
Under 13’s
The Under 13’s fixtures this weekend are set to be some of the best for the weekend with three attractive games on offer. The Bombers host the Giants in Bega this weekend with both clubs evenly matched in 2017. Bega may just have one to many a graders for the Giants this weekend as both sides look to keep their slim finals hopes alive. The Giants have been impressive at times without taking the 4 points. In Pambula the Panthers take on second placed Merimbula. The Diggers have a 10 point gap on Pambula although a Panthers win could see Pambula challenge for top two if Merimbula falter towards the back end of the season. The Diggers haven’t been heavy scorers although have been brilliant in the close games. In the final match the Whalers host the Lions in a match that Narooma will be confident of gaining the four points and firming a top 4 finish.
Player to Watch: Will Kellar, The Pambula junior player has been on a goal kicking tear in recent weeks vaulting to second on the under 13’s leading goal kicking award table. Seach is quick and has shown he knows his way to goal. Prediction: Merimbula, Bega & Narooma.
Under 11’s
One of the biggest matches of the season will be played this weekend as the Bombers host the Giants in the search for fourth place. The Giants hold down fourth place on percentage and having a player like Tasman Simons will help the team this weekend against a well organised Bombers unit. Look for this match to be a beauty. In Bermagui the Breakers host Tathra with the Breakers looking to rebound after a tough loss. The Sea Eagles are an improving side and will be looking to take it to the reigning premiers as the club looks to have a solid back end to the season after being competitive against Narooma last weekend. The high flying Diggers will look to put Pambula to the sword this weekend and put the Panthers a game outside of the top four after the Bega-Giants match. Walter Blewitt has been an x factor at times this season and a big game is on the menu. The final game sees the Whalers host Narooma in Eden. The Whalers have been solid at home in 2017 and should feel confident against Narooma who has their longest trip for the season. Narooma are comfortably in second and will be looking to maintain their position.
Player to Watch: Martin Preston, The Giant has been huge in front of goals in recent weeks. Prediction: Bermagui, Merimbula, Giants & Narooma.
