ROUND 15 PREVIEW
Some big matches in round 15 this weekend which see’s must win games for teams to remain in finals contention whilst teams jostle for positions within the 4.
ROUND 15 FIXTURES
SENIOR’S
Merimbula v Tathra (Berrambool Sports Complex, Merimbula) 2:30pm
Narooma v Eden (Bill Smyth Memorial Ocal, Narooma) forfeit
Pambula v Bermagui (Pambula Sports Complex) 2:30pm
DEVELOPMENT
Pambula v Tathra (Pambula Sports Complex) 11:50am
Merimbula v BM Giants (Berrambool Sports Complex, Merimbula) 11:50am
WOMEN’S
Merimbula v GM Giants (Berrambool Sports Complex, Merimbula) 1:10pm
Narooma v Eden (Bill Smyth Memorial Oval, Narooma) 1:10pm
Pambula v Bermagui (Pambula Sports Complex) 1:10pm
Bega v Tathra (Roy Howard Oval, Bega) 1:10pm
Round 15 Preview
Merimbula v Tathra
The Sea Eagles have made their way back into third spot on the ladder after last weekends with against the Eden Whalers. With Bermagui travelling to Pambula, Tathra will be hopeful that they can open a 4 point gap in third heading into the final round of the season. With the Diggers at home in their final two matches they will be looking to cause an upset in the final rounds. The Sea Eagles managed to get key contributions from a number of forwards last weekend which will see the side take plenty of confidence leading into the final stages of the season. The Diggers back men will have their hands full on the weekend covring the likes of O’Loughlin, Marshman, Coulton, Spink and Gartside.
Player to Watch: Danyon Pilbeam, One of Tathra’s back six has been consistent throughout 2017 and will be crucial in finals. Prediction: Tathra by 30 Points.
Narooma v Eden
With an Eden forfeit this weekend, the Narooma Lions have secured the 2017 minor premiership claiming their 13th win for the season.
Pambula v Bermagui
This weekends match is set to be a big match for both clubs. Bermagui were great for three quarters last weekend against top of the table Narooma before injuries and a rampant Lions 4th quarter shut down any hope of an upset. With Scott Proctor set to miss a number of weeks due to a broken collar bone and Luke Moresi doubtful with a concussion, the Breakers will have to lean on the likes of Daniel Smith and the Shaw brothers. Pambula aren’t without their absences themselves with Stephen Butterworth and James Wheeler to miss the clash with both overseas whilst Aaron Proctor and Hamish Wenczel are doubtful with nagging injuries.
Player to Watch: Adam Nelson, The Panthers will this weekend celebrate Nelly’s 100 senior game for the club and will be looking to notch up a win against Bermagui. Prediction: Pambula by 35 Pts.
Women’s
The top 4 in the women’s grade is not locked in although it will be hard to displace Narooma from the 4. The Lions took a big step towards securing a finals birth last weekend as they defeated closes rival Bermagui and a Narooma win or Bermagui loss this weekend will see the Lions claim 4th. The Lions have a tough task this weekend as they take on the Eden Whalers who have been unstoppable in recent weeks. This match will see two of the best forwards in Kamilla Grubesic and Rachael Kincaid take to the field. In Bega, Tathra will look to retain top spot as they are hosted by the Bombers who are still in search of their first win. With the Sea Eagles to take on Bega and Bermagui in the final two weeks it looks like last years minor premiers will remain in the top 2. Down south the Diggers host the Giants in what is set to be a cracking matchup. Both sides have been big improvers as the season has progressed with both teams confident of claiming the 4 points in this fixture. The Giants claimed the 4 points the last time out, although away from home the Diggers will go in favourites. In the final match this season, the Panthers host Bermagui. The Panthers will need a win in this match to keep their hopes of a top 2 finish alive although are still 4 points and a large percentage behind the whalers. The Panthers will be hoping of a Narooma win this weekend to set up a huge matchup next week between the Panthers and Whalers.
Player to Watch: Poppy Logue, One of Bermagui’s young brigade, Logue has been extremely consistent for the Breakers in 2017 whilst also having a solid Shoalhaven Junior Carnival in July. Will get better as she gains more experience. Prediction: Eden, Giants, Pambula & Tathra.
Development
A couple of important matches this weekend in the development grade. The big fixture will be Merimbula hosting the giants in a game that will decide 4th place with the winner to make finals. The Diggers will be favourites at home although the Giants will be looking to keep their season alive with the team to have the bye next weekend. In the second match the Panthers host Tathra with Pambula looking to keep their unbeaten season alive. Tathra are coming off a bye although were extremely impressive last time out against Merimbula. Prediction: Merimbula & Pambula.
ROUND 15 FIXTURES
UNDER 16’s
Merimbula v BM Giants (Berrambool Sports Complex, Merimbula) 10:30am
Pambula v Bermagui (Pambula Sports Complex) 10:30am
UNDER 13’s
Merimbula v BM Giants (Berrambool Sports Complex, Merimbula) 9:10am
Narooma v Eden (Bill Smyth Memorial Oval, Narooma) forfeit
Pambula v Bermagui (Pambula Sports Complex) 9:10am
UNDER 11’s
Merimbula v BM Giants (Berrambool Sports Complex, Merimbula) 8:00am
Narooma v Eden (Bill Smyth Memorial Oval, Narooma) 11:50am
Pambula v Bermagui (Pambula Sports Complex) 8:00am
Bega v Tathra (Roy Howard Oval, Bega) 11:50am
Round 15 Preview
Under 16’s
It will be a big test for the Giants this weekend as they travel south to take on ladder leaders Merimbula. The Giants have gelled well this season and have been able to claim some important wins against the likes of Narooma and Pambula in the past two weeks. Although these have been great wins they have not yet beaten the Diggers who have been playing some inspired football in recent matches. The likes of Billy Stubbs, Lawrence Davis, Caleb Higgins, Max Geaghan and Jedd Martyn ran riot against Pambula last weekend showing they will be hard to beat this season. In Pambula the Panthers will be looking to bounce back after last weekends loss. They come up against Bermagui who have struggled in 2017 with the side likely to finish the season without a win.
Player to Watch: Charlie Buckingham, One of the Diggers younger players has been a solid contributor to the team in 2017. Doesn’t need to star week in week out due to the Diggers star players. Prediction: Pambula & Merimbula.
Under 13’s
A top two spot is still up for grabs in the under 13 grade and this weekend is sure to produce two really even contests. The Diggers host the Giants this weekend with the Giants to be fresh coming off the bye and playing some really good football prior to their week off. A win for Merimbula could help secure second spot if the breakers can get the 4 points in Pambula. The Panthers host the Breakers this weekend with both sides having aspirations to play on the last weekend of the season. Matthew O’Meara was best on ground last weekend for the Breakers in their win over Narooma and will need to be shut down this weekend. Some of the best under 13’s players will take the field in this clash with a lot on the line.
Player to Watch: Kai Taunga, The Giants forward has been unstoppable in recent weeks booting 11 goals in his last two games. With form like that the Giants will be looking to get him the ball so he can put on scoreboard pressure. Prediction: Bermagui & Merimbula.
Under 11’s
A huge upset last weekend saw the Whalers claim win number two which saw the Bombers fall 8 points behind the Giants in 4th place. Bega will be looking to regroup this weekend as they take on Tathra in what is a must win clash. The Bombers will be confident having taken the 4 points in the local rivalry last time out. Sitting pretty in fourth the Giants travel to Merimbula this weekend to take on ladder leaders Merimbula. The Diggers have just the one loss and will be favourites this weekend although the Giants would like to seal 4th place this weekend. A key matchup in this one will be the midfield battle between the two sides. In Pambula the Breakers have clawed their way back into a possibility of a top 2 finish and will be confident of claiming the 4 points against 6th place Pambula. The Panthers finals hopes are dashed with the side looking to finish the season with two good results. In Narooma the Lions host the Whalers and the home side will be aiming to retain their top 2 place leading into the final round of the season. Will the Whalers make it two upsets in two weeks? Time will tell.
Player to Watch: William Tiffen, Has been instrumental for the Lions this season and has 12 goals in 12 games so far this season. Prediction: Bega, Merimbula, Bermagui & Narooma.
