ROUND 8 PREVIEW
Round 8 Fixtures
Seniors
Eden v Merimbula (Eden Football Ground) 2:30pm
Tathra v Narooma (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 2:30pm
Pambula- Bye
Women’s
Tathra v BM Giants (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 1:10pm
Bermagui v Pambula (Dickinson Oval, Berm) 1:10am
Bega v Narooma (Roy Howard Field, Bega) 1:10am
Eden v Merimbula (Eden Football Ground) 1:10pm
Reserves
Tathra v BM Giants (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 11:50am
Merimbula v Narooma (Roy Howard, Bega) 11:50am
Pambula- Bye
Round 8 Preview
Tathra v Narooma
Round 8’s match of the round sees Tathra host Narooma in what is shaping to be an important game for both clubs. Narooma sit on top after 7 rounds and showed two weekends ago that they will be tough to beat again in 2018 claiming the 2017 grand final rematch bragging rights. The Sea Eagles sit one win outside the top two although Tathra has not beaten a top 4 side since round 3 when they claimed the points against Pambula at home. With the game at Lawrence Park look for the Sea Eagles to curb Narooma’s ball movement and make it a scrap on home soil.
Player to Watch: Simon Mackie, Mackie has started to fire in recent weeks moving to the top of the goal kicking leaderboard. There will be no shortage of goal kickers this weekend with Mackie and Tathra’s Gartside. Prediction: Narooma by 15 points.
Eden v Merimbula
Both Eden and Merimbula have seen improvements from their sides as the season has progressed in 2018. The Diggers were impressive winners last time out against the Sea Eagles in a game that they took control of after a tough first quarter where the sides were neck and neck. Coming off the bye, the Whalers will be looking to get back into action and take it up to the Diggers at the Eden Football Ground. The Whalers put in a tough effort last time out against Pambula and will be looking to do so this weekend against the second placed Diggers who are looking to cement themselves in the top 2.
Player to Watch: Caleb Higgins, Still playing under 16’s as well as senior football Higgins has been a standout for the Diggers in recent weeks. Although a light frame, Higgins finds space. Prediction: Merimbula by 37 points.
Women’s
There are some good games on the cards this weekend in the women’s grade. One of the matches of the round will be when Bermagui host Pambula. Bermagui, Pambula and the Giants all sit on 12 points and the race for the top 4 is heating up. The Breakers have slipped out of the top 4 after close losses to Tathra and Eden although Bermagui showed that they could match it with the best sides in the competition. The Panthers had a close win at home against Narooma last round and will be looking to carry that winning form into this weekends fixture.
In Tathra, the Sea Eagles take on the Giants who will be looking to knock off the top side. The Giants have been in good form the past two rounds although the side will need to improve on their innacuracy’s in front of goal in recent rounds. The Sea Eagles look like they will again finish top 2 although will be keen to make a statement this weekend.
In Eden the Whalers take on the Diggers. Eden had a tough win last round and will be looking to continue their winning form as they take on the winless Diggers. The Diggers had a crack last weekend against the Giants and looked impressive in the first half of the match. The side will be looking to continue their improvement throughout the season.
In the final match of the weekend, Narooma travel to Bega as they take on the Bombers. The Lions will be looking to bounce back from their round 7 loss whilst the Bombers look for win number one in 2018.
Player to Watch: Alisha Meek, Was great for the Giants against merimbula in round 7 in the clubs win. Prediction: Bermagui, Tathra, Eden & Narooma.
Round 8 Fixtures
Under 16’s
Merimbula v Narooma (Roy Howard, Bega) 9:10am
Tathra v BM Giants (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 10:30am
Bermagui v Pambula (Dickinson Oval, Berm) 11:50am
Under 14’s
Bermagui v Pambula (Dickinson Oval, Berm) 10:30am
Tathra v BM Giants (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 9:10am
Bega v Merimbula (Roy Howard Field, Bega) 8:00am
Under 12’s
Tathra v BM Giants (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 8:00am
Bermagui v Pambula (Dickinson Oval, Berm) 9:10am
Bega v Narooma (Roy Howard Field, Bega) 10:30am
Eden v Merimbula (Eden Football Ground) 11:50am
Round 8 Preview
Under 16’s
Some big games in the under 16’s this weekend. In Bermagui the Breakers who are clinging to the final finals place in the age group take on the last placed Pambula Panthers who will be looking get win number 2 this weekend and work their way into the finals picture. Look for this one to be a tight tussle.
In Tathra the high flying Sea Eagles are coming off two straight wins and will look to make it 3 this weekend against the Broulee/Moruya Giants looking to move above Bermagui with a win. If the Giants can bring their A game then Tathra will have their work cut out to maintain the pressure on Narooma for the top spot in the division.
In the final game of the weekend, Merimbula who are coming off three staright wins host the top of the table Narooma Lions in Bega. The Diggers have found their 2017 form in the past weeks with Charlie Buckingham and Jacob Overend leading the team back into the top four with the team having their sights set on a top two finish. The Lions will be keen to put a halt to the Diggers winning ways in what is set to be a good contest.
Player to Watch: Frank Puglisi, the Bermagui junior has been playing good football in recent weeks for both club and school. Prediction: Narooma, Bermagui & Tathra.
Under 14’s
Some important games in the under 14’s this weekend with clubs looking to maintain or move into the top four. Pambula took the 4 points at home against the Breakers in round 7 and Bermagui will be looking to get revenge on home soil this weekend. Bermeagui will have J. Harkins-McMahon back in the side this weekend although Pambula have shown that they are able to take their chances in front of goal and will be looking to maintain top spot this weekend.
In Bega the Bombers take on a winless Merimbula side. The Diggers haven’t been playing like a winless side in recent weeks and they will be confident that they can claim the four points this weekend against a Bega side 4 points above them on the ladder and in 4th spot. After their first win in round 7, Bega will be looking to make it two in a row and further put Merimbula behind the eight ball.
In the final match the Sea Eagles host the Giants who are out clear in third. After a tough loss against Tathra in round five the Giants have won two in a row and the team will be looking to even the season series this weekend at Lawrence Park.
Player to Watch: Oliver Dolphin, Has been one of the Giants best in 2018. Prediction: Bermagui, Merimbula & Broulee/Moruya.
Under 12’s
A couple of solid games on the cards this weekend in the under 12’s while the top 3 will look to further increase their lead on the competition. In Bermagui the Breakers host the Panthers in what is set to be a competative match at Dickinson Oval. The Panthers will need to break down the Breakers defense which has been solid in recent matches. Bermagui is not a high scoring side, so Pambula will need to hit the scoreboard early.
In Tathra both the Sea Eagles and Giants are looking for win number one this weekend. It will be a big morning at Lawrence Park as both teams are set to leave it all on the ground as they search for bragging rights. Look for this one to go down to the wire with the loser to be bottom of the table.
In Eden the Whalers host the unbeaten Merimbula Diggers. With two wins the Whalers need a win to push back into the top four conversation although the going will be tough this weekend as Merimbula have exerted their dominance over the competition up until now. With the Whalers improving every week look for the young side to give it a good shot this weekend.
In the final game of the weekend the Bega Bombers host the Narooma Lions. The Bombers got back to winning ways in round 7 beating Tathra in a good game although they will need to take their game to the next level this weekend against a Narooma side who has been playing good football in 2018. Bega will be looking to cause the upset of the weekend.
Player to Watch: Toby Parker, One of the junior Sea Eagles, Parker has been amongst his sides best in 2018. Parker has also made such an impact that he has been playing some good football for the under 14’s side as well in 2018. Prediction: Bermagui, Merimbula, Tathra & Narooma.
