ROUND 14 PREVIEW
Round 14 Fixtures…
Seniors
Eden v Tathra (Dickinson Oval, Bermagui) 2:30pm
Merimbula v Pambula (Berrambool Complex) 2:30pm
Narooma- Bye
Women’s
Bermagui v Narooma (Dickinson Oval) 1:10pm
Tathra v Bega (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 1:10pm
BM Giants v Eden (Kyla Park, Tuross Heads) 1:10pm
Merimbula v Pambula (Berrambool Complex) 1:10pm
Reserves
BM Giants v Narooma (Kyla Park, Tuross Heads) 2:30pm
Merimbula v Pambula (Berrambool Complex) 11:50am
Tathra- Bye
Round 14 Preview
Merimbula v Pambula
The local derby sees the Diggers host the Panthers in Merimbula this weekend with both sides looking eager to claim the four points this weekend. The Panthers have plenty to play for this weekend as they look to keep themselves in the hunt to claim a home semi final whilst it is also captain Dylan Cook’s 100th game for the club this weekend. The Diggers were dealt a blow last weekend as they lost young player Will Regan with a broken collarbone and the club will be looking to put that behind them as they aim for 4 points.
Player to Watch: Tom Ferguson, Ferguson has been playing well for the Panthers this season and has had plenty of time in the middle for the Panthers. Prediction: Merimbula by 10 Points.
Eden v Tathra
The Whalers will take on Tathra this weekend on mutual soil as the Whalers host at Dickinson Oval this weekend. In a big weekend, the Bermagui Breakers will unveil a commemorative seat in honor of Marcus Shaw who played for the Breakers and Sea Eagles in 2018. Both clubs are coming off a loss last weekend and with both clubs having more losses then wins in 2018, both clubs will be keen to pick up the four points this weekend. With the Sea Eagles set to play finals football, they will need to lift their game in the closing weeks if they are to make noise in the finals.
Player to Watch: Nick Lazzaro, Has played well across half back for the Sea Eagles in 2018. Prediction: Tathra by 27 Points.
Women’s
The final four is all but sewn up in the women’s grade with Bermagui most likely needing to win their final three games whilst having some games go their way. The Breakers host Narooma this weekend and a Narooma win will end the Breakers finals chances. This is set to be a big game with Bermagui taking the points earlier in the season.
In Merimbula, the Diggers host the Panthers in the local derby. The Panthers have had the edge over the Diggers claiming every contest between the two sides and that most likely will not change this weekend after Pambula claimed a solid win against Bermagui last weekend. Pambula still has the opportunity to claim a top two finish although will need results to go their way in the final rounds.
Up in Tuross the Giants host the Whalers in what should be a tough contested contest. The Giants have been competitive against the top sides in 2018 without claiming the four points although the Giants will feel confident after challenging the side away from home earlier in the season. With the longest road trip in the league, look for the Giants to potentially cause an upset this weekend.
In the final match of the season the Tathra Sea Eagles host the Bega Bombers. The Sea Eagles were dominant against Merimbula last weekend and the team should be able to boost their percentage again this weekend against the bottom placed Bega Bombers. Bega will host Merimbula next weekend and will want a positive result this weekend.
Player to Watch: Telea Moreton-Stewart, new recruit for the Lions has all the intangibles to be a star for the Lions. Prediction: Eden, Tathra, Narooma & Pambula.
Round 14 Fixtures…
Under 16s
Bermagui v Narooma (Dickinson Oval) 11:50am
Merimbula v Pambula (Berrambool Complex) 10:30am
Tathra & BM Giants- Bye
Under 14s
Tathra v Bega (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 11:50am
Merimbula v Pambula (Berrambool Complex) 9:10am
BM Giants & Bermagui- Bye
Under 12s
Tathra v Bega (Lawrence Park, Tathra) 10:30am
BM Giants v Eden (Kyla Park, Tuross Heads) 11:50am
Merimbula v Pambula (Berrambool Complex) 8:00am
Bermagui v Narooma (Dickinson Oval) 10:30am
Round 14 Preview
Under 16s
With the Broulee Moruya Giants and Tathra Sea Eagles having the bye this weekend, it is just the two games in the under 16’s this weekend although both are key games in a tight under 16’s competition as we head into finals football. In Bermagui, the Breakers host their northern rivals the Narooma Lions with Narooma sitting top of the table. The Giants outlasted the Lions last weekend and a win this weekend will almost guarantee Narooma of a top two finish and therefore a home semi final. Bermagui have been playing some good football in recent weeks and this one is set to be a big game.
In Merimbula, the Diggers host the Pambula Panthers. In recent seasons this has been the premier match-up although both teams currently sit outside the top four in the age group. A win this weekend will see the Diggers move into the top four although the team will be looking to add some percentage in a big win to separate themselves from the Giants currently sitting in fourth. The Panthers were competitive last weekend against the Breakers playing some good football in patches and the team will be looking to do it for four quarter this weekend.
Player to Watch: Max Keltie, The Merimbula junior has been a big improver for the Diggers this season playing a key role down back for the club. Prediction: Narooma & Merimbula.
Under 14s
Like in the under 16’s, this weekend sees only the two games in the under 14’s with Broulee Moruya and Bermagui having the bye. After a couple of good wins over the past two weekend’s the Giants are momentarily up to second place with Pambula down in third. The Panthers have the opportunity to draw level with the Giants on points this weekend as they take on rivals Merimbula although a better percentage should see the Giants remain in second if the Panthers claim the four points. The Diggers have been getting better each week and the team is starting to play some good football that should start to worry the top three sides.
In the second game of the weekend the Tathra Sea Eagles host the Bega Bombers with both teams sitting outside the top four. The Bombers need to win their remaining three games to play finals football meaning that every match starting this weekend is finals football for the Bombers. The Sea Eagles will believe they can knock off the Bombers on home soil with this one to be an intriguing game.
Player to Watch: Khama Geisler, the Sea Eagle is a bull with the football and runs at and through defenders with pace. Can play all over the ground. Prediction: Pambula & Bega.
Under 12s
There are some big games on the cards this weekend in the under 12’s grade. In Tuross, the Giants host the Whalers in what is set to be a game that is up for grabs for both teams. The Giants will believe that home ground advantage will be a big factor in getting the four points this weekend whilst the Whalers young players have stepped up in recent weeks against the top four teams. Look for this one to go down to the wire.
In Tathra, the Bega Bombers have a great opportunity to get back into the top four with Pambula set to take on the ladder leaders. Bega were too good for the Giants last weekend and a win and the team will be confident they can knock off the winless Sea Eagles at Lawrence Park. Tathra showed positive signs last weekend against Merimbula and will be keen to put a dent in their rivals finals chances.
In Bermagui, it will be a rematch of last years grand finalists. Both teams had solid wins last weekend and a win for the Breakers on home soil this weekend could see them challenge for a top two finish again in 2018. A win for the Lions this weekend will ensure a top two finish.
The final game of the weekend sees the undefeated Merimbula Diggers host the Pambula Panthers. The Diggers will want to remain undefeated in 2018 and will feel confident going into this weekends match against Pambula. The Panther are clinging to fourth spot and a surprise win this weekend could see them solidify their place in the four.
Player to Watch: Tom Wilson, the young Lion has shown plenty of positive signs in 2018 and appears to be a big reason they sit 2nd. Prediction: Narooma, BM Giants, Merimbula & Bega.
