Sawtell v Coffs Swans
With the finals series only a week away, both sides will look to take winning form out of their Round 15 contest at the Coffs Coast Leisure Park.
Sawtell have not lost a match since their opening match of the season and again proved their favouritism last weekend in their win away at Grafton. They inflicted slow death on the Tigers with their ball movement most impressive on the small Ellem Oval confines.
Mark Couzens was again in masterly touch in a midfield which regains Luke Matthews from injury. Communication is an underestimated asset of the top sides, and Couzens directs his side better than any captain in recent times.
Daniel Pritchard is an important component, along with Clint Williams, in terms of their ability to find space moving the ball forward.
One could go on; such is their depth at the moment. Todd Matthews and Daniel Johnson are starting to look ominous, racking up the possessions, even without the side fielding a recognised ruckman with Ethan Kelly and Courtney Tune absent last week.
The Swans will look to reverse the thrashing they received from Sawtell the last time they faced-off. They are a proud club and know a similar defeat will put a big dent in their confidence leading into their Elimination Final against Port.
Their win against Port was what they needed. The 21-point win produced eleven goalkickers and greater accountability through the centre.
There are doubts whether they can match-up for four quarters against fitter opposition.
Port Macquarie v North Coffs
Expect a tight and tough encounter at Stuart Park this afternoon.
Time will tell whether last week’s rest for the North Coffs side will prove beneficial as they travel south to Port Macquarie.
The Kangaroos were up and about after their win against the Swans and had a massive win last time they played the Magpies, but this match should be closer given recent events.
Darren Funston and Josh Drum will go head-to-head with Shannon Skreja and Matt Lill in what should be an absorbing battle in the clinches.
North Coffs’ key over the coming weeks will be their tall timber. Jordan O’Connor and Matt Quinlan are among the best big men in the League. Both need to mark well and be active around the ground.
Port could well be the sleeping giants of the competition. They have made their run in the last fortnight and any side with Jesse Schmidt and Dean Nankervill firing is dangerous such is their individual brilliance.
Mark Harvey and Greg Dean have been underrated big men and given they challenged the Swans last weekend; at home, Port could challenge their highly-ranked opponents.
Nambucca Valley v Grafton
This weekend brings to an end a long season for the bottom two teams of the league.
Nambucca haven’t won for a couple of years now and have a marginal chance of upstaging the Tigers who suffer travel sickness every time they leave the postcode.
Grafton got overrun by the Saints and failed to kick a goal in the second-half. They will start favourites with Daniel Zacek and Dale Beaver sure to try and lift their side to their third win of the season.
The Lions know this is their best chance to win this season and will put all stocks into ending their long-standing drought. They got close last time they played Grafton, so their dreams may come true this time around.
Last Modified on 07/08/2009 19:33