ROUND 16 PREVIEW
Round 16 Fixtures…
Seniors
Pambula v Tathra (Pambula Sports Complex) 2:30pm
Narooma v Merimbula (Bill Smyth Mem Oval) 1:10pm
Eden- Bye
Women’s
Narooma v Merimbula (Bill Myth Mem Oval) 10:30am
Pambula v Tathra (Pambula Sports Complex) 1:10pm
Bermagui v BM Giants (Dickinson Oval) 1:10pm
Bega v Eden (Roy Howard Field, Bega) 11:50am
Reserves
Pambula v Tathra (Pambula Sports Complex) 11:50am
Narooma v Merimbula (Bill Smyth Mem Oval) 11:50am
BM Giants- Bye
Round 16 Preview
Pambula v Tathra
This one is set to be the match of the round this weekend with a win for either side set to see the club claim third place on the ladder and the opportunity to claim home field advantage for the minor semi final. Both clubs haven’t shown their best form in recent weeks and this will be an interesting match too see who can take the ascendancy early in the match. With plenty to play for, look for this one to get heated as both sides look to gain home field advantage for next weekend’s minor semi final where the two teams will again square off.
Player to Watch: Luke Taylor, the veteran Sea Eagle has been Tathra’s best in recent weeks and will want a win this weekend. Prediction: Tathra by 10 Points.
Narooma v Merimbula
A big game this weekend both on and off the field for both Narooma and Merimbula. Not only is it the battle between the two top sides but it is also the annual MND fixture between the two clubs to help raise awareness and money for MND research. These two clubs are set to go head to head in two weeks in the major semi final and both teams will be eager to get the mental edge against one another. The Lions have shown great form in recent weeks and will go into the match as favorites although the young Merimbula side are confident they can claim the upset.
Player to Watch: Daniel Worden, The inspirational Merimbula captain will be ready for this weekends game. Prediction: Narooma by 20 Points.
Women’s
Although the final four is set for 2018, there is still some big matches this weekend in the women’s grade. All season it appeared as though it would be Eden and Tathra finishing as the top two sides although a Pambula win this weekend against Tathra would see the Panthers and Sea Eagles swap positions on the ladder. Pambula were convincing winners against Narooma last weekend whilst the Sea Eagles lost the top of the table clash to Eden.
In Bega, the Bombers were unable to get their first win of the season last weekend against Merimbula and it doesn’t get any easier for the Bombers as they play the ladder leading Eden Whalers. Look for Eden to claim the minor premiership this weekend.
In Narooma the Lions host the Merimbula Diggers with Narooma looking to gain some momentum heading into finals. the Lions have lost three straight games and will need to turn that form around if they are to challenge the top three sides in the finals. Merimbula have claimed two wins this season in two close games against Bega. The club will be confident going into this weekends match although this weekends match will be a tough one.
In the final match of the weekend, Bermagui host Broulee/Moruya. The Giants claimed the four points last weekend at home and Bermagui will be looking to do the same on home soil this weekend. This match is set to be another cracking contest between the two sides.
Player to Watch: Zalie Betts, The Narooma youngster has led from the front this season for her club and will be looking to have a big impact come finals next weekend.Prediction: Eden, Bermagui, Narooma & Tathra.
Round 16 Fixtures…
Under 16s
Bermagui v BM Giants (Dickinson Oval) 11:50am
Narooma v Merimbula (Bill Smyth Mem Oval) 9:10am
Pambula v Tathra (Pambula Sports Complex) 10:30am
Under 14s
Pambula v Tathra (Pambula Sports Complex) 9:10am
Bega v Merimbula (Roy Howard Field, Bega) 1:10pm
Bermagui v BM Giants (Dickinson Oval) 10:30am
Under 12s
Narooma v Merimbula (Bill Myth Mem Oval) 8:00am
Pambula v Tathra (Pambula Sports Complex) 8:00am
Bermagui v BM Giants (Dickinson Oval) 9:10am
Bega v Eden (Roy Howard Field, Bega) 10:30am
Round 16 Preview
Under 16s
There is still plenty to play for this weekend in the under 16’s grade with some big games on the cards. Tathra sit outside the top two on percentage, although the Sea Eagles will be confident that they can have a big win this weekend to overtake Bermagui even if the Breakers claim the four points this weekend. It has been a tough season for the Panthers and the club will be looking to have a good performance to finish the season.
It was a close game last weekend between the Giants and Breakers and this weekend will be no different with Broulee/Moruya needing to win to play finals football in 2018. The Giants have the ability to beat any team on their day and will need to bring their best this weekend. Bermagui need a win this weekend if they are to maintain a top two finish and set up a huge major semi final with their northern rival Narooma.
In Narooma, the Lions take on Merimbula having claimed the minor premiership last weekend. A win this weekend for Merimbula will see the club sew up a finals spot although the team will need to be at its best this weekend if they are to knock off the minor premiers.
Player to Watch: Theodore Turner, The Broulee/Moruya Giant player is a difference maker and a big performance this weekend will be needed to see his side play finals this season. Prediction: Narooma, Tathra & BM Giants.
Under 14s
After slipping down into third momentarily, Pambula are back up into the top two and should maintain a top two finish as they take on bottom placed Tathra this weekend at home. The Panthers peaked at this point last season to play their best football in the final rounds and finals to claim the premiership. Tathra will want to be competitive this weekend in their final match of the season.
In Bermagui, the Breakers will be looking to get off to a better start this weekend against the Giants with the Giants taking it up to the ladder leaders last weekend. The two clubs have aspirations to go deep into finals and they will want to both put in a good performance this weekend.
The final match of the weekend sees Bega host Merimbula with Bega looking to finish the season on a high. The Diggers have sewn up fourth place and with their finals birth assured the team will be looking to gain momentum heading into their minor semi final next weekend.
Player to Watch: Jayden Rafferty, the Merimbula junior has been a good pick up in 2018 playing a key role in defense for Merimbula. Prediction: Pambula, Bermagui & Merimbula.
Under 12s
Bega are still a mathematical chance of playing finals football this season although will need some results to go their way this weekend. The Bombers host Eden at Roy Howard Oval and the team is in a good postition to take the four points this weekend. The Bombers are unable to rely on percentage this weekend and will need the Pambula Panthers to drop points this weekend.
The Panthers host Tathra this weekend with the Sea Eagles coming off their first win of the season last weekend against the Eden Whalers. Tathra played some inspiring football last weekend and will be keen to do so again this weekend to finish their season on a high. If Bega are to win, the Panthers also need to claim the four points and the side will be confident with the Panthers challenging Narooma for three quarters last weekend to prove that they can make some noise come finals time if they are to claim the four points this weekend.
In Bermagui the Breakers host the Giants as they look to head into their finals series full of confidence. The Breakers were too good for the Giants last weekend in Tuross in a close game and this weekend looks like it will be another good game between the northern clubs.
In the final match of the weekend, the top two sides in Narooma and Merimbula go head to head in what will be an entertaining match between the two clubs. The winner this weekend will claim the minor premiership before they take on each other in two weeks time.
Player to Watch: Tyge Matters, The Bermagui junior is back after missing the majority of the season with a broken wrist. Prediction: Narooma, Bermagui, Bega & Pambula.
