Port under the pump
Defending premiers, Port Macquarie face an uphill task to make an impact in the finals with recent form suggesting the fall of the Magpies. The black and whites, however, are a proud club and the side, under Matthew Newton and Paul Sheldon, always produce their best football at the BCU Stadium.
The record doesn’t read well for the ‘Pies, with the side losing their last two games against the top two sides by an average of 94 points.
Their away record is below average, with only three wins and four losses- their only win against a top four side, however, was against North Coffs recently; their first opponent in the elimination semi-final.
The side has struggled to overcome the injury toll sustained by their Representative stars and have obviously missed the presence of big Jon Stephens who hits peak form come August.
One can never discount a side possessing the likes of last year’s Woodlock Medallist, Dean Nankervill, along with representative star, Jesse Schmidt.
Matthew Newton will be a massive key and he will need to get plenty of the football, along with the engine room of Matthew Lill and Jarrod Brian who are hard workers and will relish the finals pressure.
Accountability will be the key, with the side having key position players, but are a bit short of depth in comparison to last season’s success.
They are in a position where they can only take it one week at a time, which may work to their advantage. North Coffs will be first on their mind this weekend.
Last Modified on 06/08/2008 10:44