Port Macquarie v Coffs Swans
Port Macquarie’s unbelievable home record goes on the line this weekend with the Swans travelling down the highway for an enticing clash at Stuart Park.
The defending premiers have kept all travelers at bay in recent times, but considering the significance of this clash, one wouldn’t expect the Swans to travel down with anything other than their number one side.
The winner of this match will entrench themselves in the much-talked about top two, whilst the loser can potentially lose touch and be at risk of facing an elimination clash in the first week of the finals. This particularly holds true for the Swans who face tough matches against Sawtell and North Coffs in coming weeks.
Back to the match, and the Magpies were far from convincing but got the job done last weekend against a competitive Lions outfit. Jarrod Brian and Matthew Lill have grown in confidence since gaining representative honours and taken leadership of the midfield. Matthew Newton booted a bag last weekend and is a scary proposition at full flight.
The Swans overcame a pluckish Grafton away from home, with the Duryea brothers dominating the scoresheet. Both are prominent across half-forward, and both will be important in spurring the Swans forward. Shane Adams is an under-rated recruit who is athletic and is gaining confidence in the top grade after transferring from the Black Diamond League.
The Swans will welcome back the services of captain-coach, Peter Chadwick who should add spine to the Coffs-based side playing in a key position but they will miss the contribution of Tristan Snow (calf) in the middle of the field.
Saying this, Port will be without Shannon Skreja, who himself is a much underrated midfielder and will need youngsters in Jesse Schmidt and Matt Gallagher to make the step up in his absence.
The Swans lost the corresponding clash at Port by a small margin in the first round but returned the favour by smashing an under-strength Magpies side in their last encounter. Port grows an extra leg at home but they are yet to prove themselves against full-strength opposition this year. This could be their chance.
Sawtell v Grafton
Sawtell’s confidence will be sky-high after blowing North Coffs off the field last Saturday. They possess an impressive home record like Port and against Grafton who are quite the opposite in terms of travel, should book another good win.
Ben Hooke maintained his strong domestic form with a clinical display up forward and is leading a side that is balanced enough to make a renewed tilt at the premiership. It is an honest line-up boasting talented individuals such as Mark Couzens, but more importantly hard workers in Daniel Pritchard and Glen Johnson, just to name a few.
Grafton has some good names on paper, with Sean Purton enjoying a purple patch, like Hooke, in front of goals. Daniel Zacek and Dale Beaver are talented enough, but inevitably Grafton lack the depth of the top sides. This has led to them falling away later in matches against quality opposition.
Expect this to be the case again.
Nambucca Valley v North Coffs
This is a match where gaining confidence as well as the four points will be at the top of each side’s agenda after experiencing fadeouts last round.
North Coffs have star players in Sam Dawes and Darren Funston, and capable performers such as Jordan O’Connor and Graeme Connolly. They seem to miss the hard edge of Brad Giri especially later in games where the side seems to be struggling against quality opponents.
Nambucca were competitive against Port in the first quarter but failed to kick another goal after that time, as the ball was predominantly in Port's half.
Tim Holden is a good player in the ruck, whilst Daniel Linares and Ray McGrath are enigmatic. It doesn’t seem to be coming together for them this season but hopefully with some more young talent given a shot in the senior grade, the club can make steps towards a stronger future.
North Coffs will straighten up and win well and need this momentum not far out from the finals series, especially if they are to get no second chance in August.
Last Modified on 18/06/2008 20:01