ROUND 6 PREVIEW
It’s a big weekend of football on the Sapphire Coast for Round 6 with some huge games on the card. See below for the round preview and our predictions.
Seniors
Eden v Pambula (Eden Football Ground) 2:30pm
Narooma v Merimbula (Pambula Sport Comp) 2:30pm
Tathra- Bye
Women’s
BM Giants v Merimbula (Kyla Park, Tuross) 1:10pm
Tathra v Bermagui (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 1:10pm
Narooma v Bega (Bill Smyth Mem Oval) 1:10pm
Eden v Pambula (Eden Football Ground) 1:10pm
Reserves
Tathra v Pambula (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 11:50am
BM Giants v Merimbula (Kyla Park, Tuross) 11:50am
Narooma- Bye
Round 6 Preview
Eden v Pambula
After starting the season with two wins, the Panthers have dropped two straight contests against the Tathra Sea Eagles and Merimbula Diggers. The Panthers will be looking to get back on the winners list this weekend as they take on the winless Whalers in Eden. With the Panthers looking to integrate a number of new pieces into their line-up they will be looking to make light work of an Eden side who has put two competitive performances in the past two weeks. Player to Watch: Luke Grewar, The Whalers were without Grewar last weekend and having him in the side this weekend will be a big boost for Eden looking to claim win number one in 2018. Prediction: Pambula by 38 points.
Narooma v Merimbula
A big clash this weekend in Narooma with the Lions to host Merimbula who are sitting pretty in second place on the ladder after round 5. The Diggers caused a major upset in round 2 when they defeated Narooma, although since then Narooma has had good wins against Eden and Tathra to show that they are back on track to challenge this season. Merimbula’s young brigade has been impressive this season with the likes of Caleb Higgins, Jack Howker and Jedd Martyn among others making an impact for the Diggers. Narooma will look to utilize their experience to get the 4 points. Player to Watch: Clifford Taylor, Back in the fold for the Lions will be important for their success. Prediction: Narooma by 15 points.
Women’s
Some big tests for a couple of teams in the women’s grade this weekend which sees some top-quality matches. Tathra host Bermagui in what has the potential to be a tight contest. Tathra are undefeated in season 2018 whilst Bermagui have looked solid early in the season with 3 wins from 4 games. The Sea Eagles copped a big blow last weekend with Samantha Crowley suffering what looked to be a serious knee injury. With Tathra’s match last weekend a draw due to the injury, they will be looking to get back on track and pick up the four points this weekend.
In Eden the Whalers will also be looking to put last weekend’s draw behind them as they take on Pambula. The Panthers have won two in a row and look like finals challengers again after a 0 and 2 start. A win this weekend would be huge for the panthers to make up ground on Narooma and Bermagui who currently sit in the top 4. Annie Gilbert has been good for the Panthers in 2018 and look for her good form to continue.
Up north the Giants host the Diggers, with Broulee Moruya favourites to claim the 4 points. The Giants form has been good in 2018 although the side has come out on the wrong side of close matches in the last two weeks, look for the Giants to make a statement this weekend.
The final game sees Narooma host Bega. The Lions will be hot favourites as they sit 4th on the ladder. Zalie Betts has been the standout for the Lions in 2018. Player to Watch: Melissa Mitchell, With her sister on the sidelines, Melissa Mitchell has been a standout for the Whalers. Prediction: Tathra, Eden, Narooma & Broulee Moruya.
Under 16’s
Narooma v Pambula (Bill Smyth Mem Oval) Forfeit
BM Giants v Merimbula (Kyla Park, Tuross) 10:30am
Tathra v Bermagui (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 10:30am
Under 14’s
Tathra v Bermagui (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 9:10am
BM Giants v Merimbula (Kyla Park, Tuross) 9:10am
Bega & Pambula- Bye
Under 12’s
BM Giants v Merimbula (Kyla Park, Tuross) 8:00am
Tathra v Bermagui (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 8:00am
Narooma v Bega (Bill Smyth Mem Oval) 9:10am
Eden v Pambula (Eden Football Ground) 11:50am
Round 6 Preview
Under 16’s
The under 16’s competition has been extremely competitive in 2018 with clubs able to win on any weekend. Bermagui claimed the four points against Tathra last weekend in Bega and the Breakers will be looking to do so again as they travel to Tathra to make it 2 from 2. Rocco Lagana was Bermagui’s best last weekend kicking 3 goals from the midfield and Tathra will need to curb his influence this weekend.
Broulee Moruya brought Narooma’s unbeaten season to an end last weekend with a dominant display away from home, and take on Merimbula this weekend in a game that could see them move two games clear from the bottom two sides. With the reigning premiers gaining win number 1 last weekend against rivals Pambula, the Diggers will carry confidence going into this weekend’s clash. In Narooma, the Lions have claimed the 4 points due to a Pambula forfeit. Player to Watch: Charlie Buckingham, Key half forward for the Diggers who knows his way to goal. Prediction: Narooma, Bermagui & Broulee Moruya.
Under 14’s
Round 5 saw Tathra gain their first win of the season last weekend in the under 14’s grade over Broulee Moruya which was a monumental step for the young Sea Eagles. Tathra will be looking to make it two wins in a row this weekend as they host Bermagui although it will be a tough task with Bermagui undefeated in the early part of 2018 and sitting on top of the table. The Sea Eagles will need to keep Bermagui’s trio of Campbell Moresi, Jonathan Harkins-McMahon and Tom O’Meara quiet if they are to claim the four points in this weekend’s match.
In Tuross, the Giants will be looking to get back on track this weekend as they take on a winless Merimbula side. The Diggers have the talent to cause an upset this weekend with the Giants eager to get Morris Absolon back from a broken foot as he has been sorely missed for the squad. This fixture could be one of the best for the weekend with both teams able to claim the four points. Both Bega and Pambula have the bye in round 6. Player to Watch: Keegan Burhop, The Tathra junior kicked two goals last weekend in the Sea Eagles historic win against the Giants. Burhop has consistently been amongst the clubs best. Prediction: Bermagui & Broulee Moruya.
Under 12’s
This weekend sees the top four sides take on the bottom four sides, with the teams in the four looking to sperate themselves from the chasing pack. In Tuross, Merimbula will be looking to remain undefeated as they travel to take on Broulee Moruya. With Beau Bennett and Walter Blewitt playing for the South Coast over the past week, the Giants will be looking to capitalise on the tired legs of the Diggers two key players.
In Tathra, the Sea Eagles take on a Breakers side who were extremely impressive last weekend in a dominant display against Bega. Tathra pushed Eden in round 5 and will be looking for the likes of Lochie Ellard, Indiana Cook and Toby Parker to play good games for the club. Tathra have often brought their best against Bermagui and will be looking to do so again this weekend as they look to cause an upset to gain win number one.
Sitting on two wins apiece, Pambula hold the edge over Eden on the ladder through percentage although the Whalers took the win in round 1 and will be looking to make it 2 from 2 in 2018. The Panthers will have the Woods brothers back in their line-up this weekend which will bolster Pambula’s side this weekend. A win for either club this weekend will be huge in the race to make the top four in 2018.
The final match of the weekend sees the Narooma Lions host the Bega Bombers. The Lions have been clinical in recent weeks whilst the Bombers will be looking to get back on the winners list after two consecutive losses. Tom Wilson has been good in the midfield for the Lions and Bega will need to be at their best to get the four points away from home. Player to Watch: Beau Whitford, The Eden junior was best on ground last weekend in the Whalers win against the Sea Eagles seeing plenty of ball in the midfield. Will be vital if the Whalers are to get the four points this weekend. Prediction: Bermagui, Merimbula, Pambula & Narooma.
