Coffs Swans v Port Macquarie
The match of the year is promised on Saturday when the two top sides in the competition battle it out in the feature Community Weekend match at Fitzroy Oval. The AFL has send Luke Brennan (Sydney Swans) as an ambassador for the day and special 150 year medallions will be awarded in all grades to the best players from each side, with Luke to toss the coin in the Senior match.
Back to the match and the Swans have experienced a dramatic improvement in their early season form belying their reputation as an inconsistent side. The youngsters have really stepped up to the plate and have brought a breath of fresh air that was much needed at the club.
The Swans have recorded three straight impressive victories and local junior star Evan Duryea is in sparkling form and coming off a nine goal haul last weekend, and has kicked 16 goals as a midfielder in the last two matches. Evan has showed he has returned from Southport as a very accomplished player possessing lightning pace, impeccable kicking and strong overhead marking. He needs to play another blinder for the Swans to get up but to do this he will have to shake the tag of Steve Gluyas or Shannon Skreja.
Port Macquarie is the Geelong of the local competition, as they are so methodical on a weekly basis, sending their opponents crazy with methods on how to beat such a well-balanced side. Swans captain-coach, Peter Chadwick may fit this description but I’m sure he will be confident that his charges have that X-factor that is needed to break the lines and put Port under pressure.
Port have numerous avenues to goal with the big frames of John Bain, Jesse Schmidt and Jacob Hart all being prominent across the forward line this season. Their backline are sure to relish the extra responsibility that they will have trying to stop the likes of Scott Morgan, who returned to form last week, and others such as Shane Adams and Nick Millard. Peter Chadwick will play in a key position but questions still remain at which end of the ground he will play.
Questions are also present over the Swans strength in the ruck. Luke Gemmell is tall and has a wingspan comparable to a Jumbo jet. He will win the majority of hit-outs which will place extra responsibility on the Swans midfielders to nullify Port’s ability at winning the clearances.
The Swans will be reliant on the experience of Rob Eddy and Tristan Snow to help their side get over the line.
A wide range of activities are planned as the league officially celebrates the 150th year of Australian Football.
Get there early as one thing is for certain; there won’t be much between the two sides at the final siren. Action starts from 11am.
Grafton v Sawtell
The Grafton Tigers are taking AFL back to Centennial Oval on Saturday in recognition of the contribution of the former Woolgoolga Club in their line-ups. The Tigers will have their work cut out against a Sawtell side high on confidence after a methodical win last weekend.
Grafton really missed the presence of Mark Blundell and the Onus brothers in the midfield and showed they are string-like in terms of depth. One can expect a better performance this week where Sean Purton and Dale Beaver will be more prominent.
Their opponents, Sawtell Saints, are the big improvers and despatched North Coffs at home last start to send a message to the top two that they are back. Ben Hooke continued his sensational debut season and will be hard to contain again after bagging 8 goals last weekend in an experienced forward line that fired last weekend thanks also to Mark Couzens and Les Cohen. Couzens has beefed up in the gym over summer, as opposed to his usual beefing up at the Sawtell Hotel, and is starting to find his best form.
It promises to be an entertaining clash but it is hard to go past the Saints.
North Coffs v Nambucca Valley
North Coffs should get back on the winners list and cement their spot in the top four against a Lions side in need of a spark at the Coffs Coast Leisure Park.
Sporting new guernseys, the Kangaroos again were impressive in the second and third quarters like their previous clash against the Swans but were blown off the park, especially in the last quarter when they had the momentum to steal an unlikely win against the Saints.
Their key big men spent their tickets too early and the writing was on the wall when players started to cramp in the third quarter. Coach, Danny McFadden will no doubt focus on this and their ability to put in a four-quarter performance.
Jamie Coad was a target up forward, with Darren Funston playing well up the ground. Sam Dawes again showed glimpses of his best, whilst Graeme Connolly showed again last week why he is the form ruckman in the competition. This is a strong basis for the ‘Roos to build upon as the season progresses.
Nambucca have strong contributors in Daniel Linares, Mick Townsend and Ray McGrath who will be prominent in this match. Apart from this there is not too much for the Lions to gloat about at the moment.
Last Modified on 08/05/2008 20:32