Pies and Swans Battle For Double Chance
The Port Macquarie Magpies travel to Fitzroy Oval this Saturday and meet the Coffs Swans in a cut throat top two playoff. The Swans currently occupy second place on the ladder which gives them the all important double chance, but a win to the Pies could see them steal that position and relegate the Swans to third.
The Swans have straightened the ship after a tough month of football and look good coming into the clash after strong wins over the bottom two sides. Saying this, they have been toppled from top spot and need a win against one of the other finals aspirants after having lost to North Coffs and Sawtell recently.
Against a competitive Grafton side they won easily and have found more avenues to goal. Dave Box has become a target, alongside Fraser Duryea of recent weeks- in what is a small forward line. But then again competition leaders, Sawtell don't have an overally big cavalry in front of goal. The Swans have also formed a fortress across the midfield, with their opposition only kicking five goals in the last two weeks; testament to their increased pressure. They desperately need Peter Chadwick and Tristan Snow fit and raring into the finals; with the duo being rested in recent times.
Port steadied last week after a heavy loss against the Swans. They smashed the Lions with Dean Nankervill and Dan Blysma continuing their strong recent form. Jesse Schmidt and Matthew Newton, as always, will be dangerous up forward. The defending premiers will have to prove their ability against the elite sides of the competition away from home.
They were arguably the better side in their last clash at Port but were handed a hiding last time they travelled to Fitzroy. The world has turned since then, however, the ‘Pies need more contributors and some players to start hitting decent form. This week will be a great litmus test for their chances after the heavy toll that the representative duties took on a fair bulk of their squad.
The Magpies know how to win the big games and the Swans have looked a bit fragile lately under intense pressure.
It is a big test for both sides with a lot on the line. One feels Port needs to rise to the occasion to challenge the Swans.
Sawtell in unstoppable form
The Saints are in terrific form and are at very short odds to make it seven straight wins this weekend against Grafton who possess a poor travelling record, having won only once on the road this season against last-placed Nambucca.
Sawtell had another 80 point victory against a supposed contender on the weekend and look the goods with their ability to improve as the match progresses. Ben Hooke booted a century on the weekend in a rare achievement on the North Coast and is sure to add to his handsome tally at Richardson Park on Saturday.
Mark Couzens is like a wine and gets better with age in the midfield, with Jai Hardy is a big-game players and is also running into some good form with a fine showing across half-forward last week. Their defence is tight, their midfield is dynamic and their forward line creates opportunities. It’s a good team to be in at the moment; a team that looks hard to fault at the moment- another Grand Final berth beckons.
Grafton struggled against the Swans and will find the going even tougher this week. Zac Edwards will win his fair share of hit-outs but their midfield, at present, are unable to win the clearances. Justin Darby and Dion McGregor are agile around the ground, and they will need Daniel Zacek and Sean Purton available for them to be any opposition.
Kangaroos Licking Their Wounds
The final game of the round sees the Kangaroos aiming to get back to the winners sheet at the Coffs Coast Leisure Park against the struggling Nambucca Valley Lions.
Darren Funston leads the ‘Roos around but they need Brad Giri in the side and playing well if they have any chance of being a threat in the finals. They were shut down after quarter time against the Saints and were found to be short in terms of depth against a quality outfit.
They are no chance of a top two finish with the result purely academic with regards the ladder but extremely important with regards confidence and in healing the scars the Saints inflicted last week.
The end of the season is nigh for Nambucca but again they will give an honest contest. The score sheet hasn't shone brightly for them over the last month with the side failing to fire in attack and be tight enough in defence.
Last Modified on 23/07/2008 23:54