ROUND 13 PREVIEW
Round 13 sees some fantastic games in the Sapphire Coast AFL. With finals fast approaching there are some key matches in the under 11’s and top spot is up for grabs in the senior grade.
ROUND 13 FIXTURES
SENIOR’S
Tathra v Merimbula (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 2:30pm
Eden v Bermagui (Eden Football Ground) 2:30pm
Narooma v Pambula (Bill Smyth Memorial Oval, Narooma) 2:30pm
DEVELOPMENT
BM Giants v Pambula (Kyla Park, Tuross Heads) 11:50am
Tathra v Merimbula (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 11:50am
WOMEN’S
Tathra v Merimbula (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 1:10pm
BM Giants v Pambula (Kyla Park, Tuross Heads) 1:10pm
Eden v Bermagui (Eden Sports Ground) 1:10pm
Narooma v Bega (Bill Smyth Memorial Oval, Narooma) 1:10pm
Round 13 Preview
Tathra v Merimbula
It has been a few tough weeks for the Sea Eagles with three consecutive losses with the most damaging coming on the weekend to the Breakers which puts Tathra back into fourth spot. This weekend shapes up as another important game for Tathra with the club needing a win to avoid slipping out of contention to host a final in week one. The Diggers pushed the Panthers for 3 quarters last weekend and will believe they have improved enough to take the 4 points this weekend.
Player to Watch: Thomas Marshman, The experienced Sea Eagle has been important for Tathra this season giving the club’s young defence an experienced whilst also being able to push forward. Prediction: Tathra by 13 Points.
Eden v Bermagui
The Whalers struggles of recent weeks don’t look to be getting any better as they face a red hot Bermagui side this weekend. The Breakers ran away from Tathra in the third quarter last weekend claiming a hold on third spot for the time being. The Breakers may look to rest a couple of sore bodies this weekend and look to give a couple of youngsters an opportunity at senior level.
Player to Watch: Liam Russell, The Bermagui youngster is back from state duties and is looking to have a big impact in the back end of the season. Prediction: Bermagui by 67 Points.
Narooma v Pambula
The match of the round with huge implications as the Lions host Pambula this weekend. A win for the Lions will mean the club has taken a huge step to securing the minor premiership. A win for Pambula will see the panthers draw level on points with Narooma which will provide an entertaining run home. The Lions are undefeated at home in 2017 and controlled the contest the last time these two sides met. The Panthers struggles to hit the scoreboard significantly haven’t gone away and a big performance will be needed this weekend.
Player to Watch: Justin Dickson, The Panther half back has been in and out of the team in 2017 although the side is better with him in the team. Prediction: Narooma by 10 Pts.
Women’s
This weekend sees the top 4 take on the bottom 4 with sides sitting in the top 4 looking to distance themselves from the bottom 4. The Sea Eagles host the Diggers in Tathra this weekend and are coming off a clinical display last weekend against Bermagui. The likes of Cymmon Parker and Rebecca Foster dominated and will be looking to do so again this weekend against Merimbula who are looking to bounce back after a tough loss last weekend. The Whalers host the Breakers this weekend with Bermagui needing a win against the top four in their remaining 4 matches to move into the top 4. The Whalers got the 4 points last weekend against the Lions although they will be looking to improve their accuracy in front of goal after kicking 19 points last weekend. The Giants have a great opportunity this weekend to knock off a top 4 side coming into the match off the back of two straight wins. The Panthers top two hopes are still alive and wins against the bottom 4 are vital at this time of the season. Romy Cook has been sensational up forward for the Panthers and will need to be stopped this weekend for a Giants win. In the final game the Lions host the Bombers where the Lions will be looking to keep Bega winless in 2017. The Lions have lost three on the trot and their ability to challenge the top 3 sides looks to be fading by the week. Need a win to get back on track.
Player to Watch: Tyler Crowe, The Eden mainstay has played every game this season and has led the team from the front with Crowe an important player. Prediction: Pambula, Eden, Narooma & Tathra.
Development
Although falling to the Sea Eagles on the weekend the Giants have seen themselves rise into the top four on percentage. The Giants host the undefeated Panthers this weekend and will be looking to put in a strong performance in front of their home fans. Tom Hammond has been a presence up forward for the Panthers in recent weeks with the side heavy favourites for the flag. In the second game of the weekend, the Sea Eagles host the Diggers who are looking to climb back into the top four. Tathra were impressive last weekend with Peter Cross and Kiah Beruldsen kicking four majors apiece. With the season coming to an end both teams will be looking to get their best teams on the field.
Prediction: Tathra & Pambula.
ROUND 13 FIXTURES
UNDER 16’s
BM Giants v Pambula (Kyla Park, Tuross Heads) 10:30am
Narooma v Bermagui (Bill Smyth Memorial Oval, Narooma) 9:10am Ber Forfeit
UNDER 13’s
BM Giants v Pambula (Kyla Park, Tuross Heads) 9:10am
Narooma v Bega (Bill Smyth Memorial Oval, Narooma) 11:50am
Eden v Bermagui (Eden Football Ground) 11:50am
UNDER 11’s
Tathra v Merimbula (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 10:30am
BM Giants v Pambula (Kyla Park, Tuross Heads) 8:00am
Eden v Bermagui (Eden Sports Ground) 10:30am
Narooma v Bega (Bill Smyth Memorial Oval, Narooma) 10:30am
Round 13 Preview
Under 16’s
The Giants host the Panthers this weekend after the bye with Broulee/Moruya looking to upset the Panthers in an important match up. The Panthers were bested by an under strength Merimbula side last weekend with Pambula looking vulnerable as the season approaches the finals. A win against one of the top two sides will give the Giants plenty of confidence in the run home and the side will need big performances from the likes of Will Aiken, Lachlan Brennan and Buster Ware.
Player to Watch: Jack Hirst, Picked up some valuable experience at the Shoalhaven representative carnival, the Giants small forward has shown the confidence of a more experienced player. Prediction: Pambula & Narooma.
Under 13’s
The fixtures between the Giants and Panthers this weekend all look to be tantalising with the 13’s no different. The Giants were ruthless last weekend against the Bega Bombers dominating the final three quarters. Kai Taunga was sensational for the Giants booting 6 goals in a best on ground performance. The Panthers were sensational as well last weekend defeating second placed Merimbula leaving their top two aspirations still possible in the run home. In the second match the Whalers host the Breakers with the Breakers fresh off the bye and looking to put in a good performance. The Whalers are looking for their first win of the season although it doesn’t look like this weekend will be the week. In Narooma the Lions host the Bombers in a match that could secure the Lions participation in finals. The Bombers couldn’t quite put together a 4 quarter performance last weekend although will be looking to this weekend.
Player to Watch: Morris Absolon, The Giants full back is putting together a hell of a season with the youngster in the sides best on 5 occasions from nine games played. Prediction: Pambula, Bermagui & Narooma.
Under 11’s
Another big round of matches in the under 11’s with the matchup between the Giants and Panthers the pick of the bunch. Broulee/Moruya edged into the top 4 after a nail biting win against Bega last weekend and will be looking to increase their gap in fourth with a win providing Narooma get the four points against Bega. Pambula is sitting a game out of the four as well and a win is vital with just 4 rounds left. In Narooma the Lions host the Bombers with a Lions win to put the club a step closer to a top 2 finish. Bega desperately needs a win to stay in contact with the top 4 and will need to be firing on all cylinders. In Tathra the improving Sea Eagles take on the ladder leading Merimbula Diggers in what should be a Merimbula win. In saying that, Tathra have been big improvers for the season with Indy Cook starting to show huge potential. The last game of the round will see the Whalers host the Breakers. Bermagui has steadily built as the season has progressed and will be looking to recapture their 2016 premiership form. The Whalers at home will be no pushover and will be looking to cause a major upset.
Player to Watch: Indiana Cook, The Tathra youngster starred at the Paul Kelly Cup during the week. Prediction: Bermagui, Merimbula, Giants & Narooma.
