ROUND 16 PREVIEW
Coming into Round 16 most of the top 4’s are set with the under 11 grade still be decided although a miracle will need to happen if Bega are to overcome Broulee/Moruya. There are some great games this weekend so get down and support your club!
ROUND 16 FIXTURES
SENIOR’S
Merimbula v Narooma (Berrambool Sports Complex, Merimbula) 2:30pm
Eden v Pambula (Eden Football Ground) 1:30pm
Tathra v Bermagui (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 2:30pm
DEVELOPMENT
Tathra v Pambula (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 11:50am
Merimbula v Narooma (Berrambool Sports Complex, Merimbula) 11:50am
WOMEN’S
Merimbula v Narooma (Berrambool Sports Complex, Merimbula) 1:10pm
Eden v Pambula (Eden Football Ground) 12:10pm
Tathra v Bermagui (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 1:10pm
BM Giants v Bega (Kyla Park, Tuross) 1:10pm
Round 16 Preview
Merimbula v Narooma
With the minor premiership wrapped up last weekend and home semi final secured, the Narooma Lions will go into this weekends match full of confidence and eager to get a good tune up prior to their major semi final against Pambula. The Diggers at full strength will be a good test for the minor premiers although 2017 has been a season where the Diggers have struggle to gain consistency with their 20 man line up. The Lions are starting to get solid contributions from their young players like Jeremy Sly, Nick Carter and Zac Martin to name a few which will be important come finals.
Player to Watch: Jason Sauiluma, Missed a couple with a concussion big few weeks for nugget. Prediction: Narooma by 39 Pts.
Eden v Pambula
An under strength Pambula side was clinical last weekend against an undermanned Bermagui side which has the side poised nicely for finals. Justin Dickson and Charlie Shepherd dominated off half back for the Panthers in their resounding win as the Panthers travel down the highway to Eden for their final hit out prior to finals. The Whalers will be looking to finish 2017 with a good performance and have looked better at home recently.
Player to Watch: Mitch Cameron, Was impressive at half forward last weekend kicking 3. Prediction: Pambula by 72 Pts.
Tathra v Bermagui
Third spot is still up for grabs although Bermagui has their work cut out being 4 points and a fair percentage off Tathra who currently hold down third spot. Both sides will face each other again next weekend in the minor semi final so will not be wanting to give too much away. The Sea Eagles come off a great win against Merimbula last weekend where they were without the Gartside brothers and the side will be looking to carry that momentum into the 2017 finals. Bermagui will be looking to bounce back after a poor showing last weekend.
Player to Watch: Chino Weerakkody, A mid-season inclusion, has been getting better every week. One of the characters around the club. Prediction: Tathra by 21 Pts.
Women’s
With the top 4 locked in and top 2 assured in Tathra and Eden, this weekend sees teams playing for pride to end the season and the top 4 to find form. It has been a tough season for the Bombers with the side unable to crack a first win although the teams endeavour has never been questioned which is testament to the players and clubs positive outlook. Bega travel to Tuross this weekend to take on the Giants who are one of the in form teams in the competition. A poor start to the season has hurt the Giants as the girls have had a couple of good wins in recent weeks whilst pushing the Panthers and Sea Eagles. In Tathra, Bermagui will be looking to take it to the Sea Eagles like they did last weekend against the Panthers. Tathra will not carry as much pressure into the finals as they did last season which could benefit the club in their search for silverware. It is a huge day for the Sea Eagles this weekend with the club raising funds for Emma Orr. In Eden, the Whalers will be looking to make a statement against third place Pambula heading into the finals. A good win against finals bound Narooma has Eden in a good position to repeat in 2017. The final match sees Merimbula host Narooma. The Diggers were overrun against the Giants last weekend although finishing the season with a home match should see the Diggers come into the match full of confidence. The Lions will be looking to rebound from a loss last weekend before their semi final showdown against Pambula.
Player to Watch: Ebony Millot, Firm favourite to win the Merimbula club B&F in 2017 being the most consistent Digger throughout 2017. Prediction: Eden, Giants, Narooma & Tathra.
Development
The Panthers have wrapped up the minor premiership in 2017 and will take on Tathra this weekend with the Sea Eagles looking to get revenge from last weekends game. The top four is locked in and Narooma look poised to finish second. A win this weekend against bottom placed Merimbula will ensure their second chance come finals with the Lions to be on home soil for the major semi final. Tom Hammond will need to bounce back from a finger injury and kick a bag if he is to claim the leading goal kicker for 2017.
Prediction: Narooma & Pambula.
ROUND 16 FIXTURES
UNDER 16’s
Merimbula v Narooma (Berrambool Sports Complex, Merimbula) 10:30am
Pambula v Bermagui (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 10:30am
UNDER 13’s
Merimbula v Narooma (Berrambool Sports Complex, Merimbula) 9:10am
Eden v Pambula (Eden Football Ground) 10:50am
BM Giants v Bega (Kyla Park, Tuross) 11:50am
UNDER 11’s
Merimbula v Narooma (Berrambool Sports Complex, Merimbula) 8:00am
Eden v Pambula (Eden Football Ground) 9:30am
Tathra v Bermagui (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 8:45am
BM Giants v Bega (Kyla Park, Tuross) 10:30am
Round 16 Preview
Under 16’s
A win for the Panthers this weekend will see the side claim second spot although at present there is no separating the Panthers and Giants in terms of form. With both Pambula and Bermagui away from home this weekend they will meet in Tathra with Bermagui looking to put in a good performance in their final game of the season. With the goal kicking trophy up for grabs in the final round look for Flynn Cook to get plenty of time forward. In the final game, Merimbula host Narooma, and if form is anything to go off, Merimbula will be convincing winners. The Diggers have been unstoppable in recent weeks and Narooma will need a big performance if hey are to challenge this weekend.
Player to Watch: Doug Stubbs, Trails BMG’s Turner by one goal and is the SCAFL’s best bet to claim the title in 2017. Prediction: Pambula & Merimbula.
Under 13’s
The top 4 is set and teams will be looking to have a good tune up leading into finals next week. In Merimbula, the Diggers take on the Lions in what should be an entertaining match. With a week off last week the Lions will be keen to hit the field and put in a good performance prior to taking on Pambula next weekend. In Tuross, the Giants host Bega in what should be another cracking contest. Both sides will be looking to finish off their season on a good note and a four quarter performance will be needed from either team to claim the 4 points. In the final match the Whalers host Pambula with Eden searching for win number 1. It probably wont come this weekend against third placed Pambula looking to bounce back from last weekends loss to Bermagui. The Panthers struggled to get key performances from their forwards last week and that will be a key focus this weekend against a youthful Eden.
Player to Watch: Elijah Turner-Collins, Has been one of the Giants best since returning from the Shoalhaven rep weekend with a key focus of what is required at the top level. Prediction: Merimbula, BM Giants & Pambula.
Under 11’s
The Bombers will need to win 60-0 this weekend if they are to overtake the Giants into 4th spot. The Giants have been impressive in recent weeks and although they did not claim the four points last weekend, they troubled top of the table Merimbula with their ball movement and ability to get forward. This will be a tight match. Second spot is up for grabs this weekend between Narooma and Bermagui with Narooma poised to have the more difficult match. The Lions travel to Merimbula where the Diggers will be looking to make a statement leading into the finals. A second chance will be vital in 2017 with the top 4 all evenly matched. In Tathra the Sea Eagles finish the season against a surging Bermagui. The Breakers escaped with a 1 point win last weekend and will look to be more convincing this weekend. Will Tathra throw a spanner into the works? Its definitely possible. In the final match Eden host Pambula with the Panthers needing to make up points on Narooma for the club championship. Although this is not an important match for finals and ladder position is is in other ways.
Player to Watch: Luke Perryman, A late addition to the Giants, Perryman has bolstered the Giants squad and is now vital to the team. Prediction: BM Giants, Merimbula, Bermagui & Eden.
