Coffs Swans v Port Macquarie
The Coffs Swans will look to continue their strong recent record over the Magpies in their encounter at Fitzroy Oval.
The Swans will start favourites despite losing last start to the ladder-leading North Coffs. Rob Eddy has improved each week and is a man the Swans will look to as they make their run towards the finals. Consistency will be pivotal in the younger group, with the likes of Sam Turner and Darby Pearce looking more at home in the senior grade as they gain experience.
Damien Elks and Dave Box have been solid down back, along with Eddy. Box has stepped up since he has been handed the coaching reins. Peter Robinson has also returned after premiership success in 1999 and will continue to bolster the defence as he gains match fitness.
However, the side needs more contributors up forward, with Scott Morgan the only multiple goal kicker in their last outing.
They look in pretty good shape considering the player losses from last year.
There are genuine questions over Port's ability to make the top four, let alone challenge for the premiership. They travelled light in their heavy loss to Grafton last week and seem to lack the depth of previous years.
They might get a stronger group on the park this weekend but the fact is they miss Matthew Newton, with Jesse Schmidt being a one-man band up forward.
Luke Long has been useful in the midfield whilst Mark Harvey and Michael Kemp will hold down key positions and have size and ability. Harvey is still a bit green but is a handful in the ruck duels.
Pressure lies on both sides, with the Magpies sitting outside the top four and the Swans looking to hold a top two place which they narrowly hold on percentage over Sawtell.
Grafton v Sawtell/Toormina
Grafton will be buoyed with their impressive display last week and will need to be at their best to counter a continually improving Saints line-up. It was a rare senior victory and their first over Port in over a decade.
Daniel Zacek is the Tigers most valuable player with his ability to fill a variety of positions. Dale Beaver has given his side a renewed vigour up forward and shows his value when he is switched on. Confidence is a big thing in football and Grafton again need to play enterprising football to have a chance against their more established opposition. No doubt they want to make winning a habit now they have the taste for it.
The Saints were patchy at stages against Nambucca Valley but showed enough class to win easily. Again this week they have more talent at their disposal than the opposition. Luke Matthews was prolific in the midfield and across half-forward to continue his strong return to the local competition.
Mark Couzens again will be central to Sawtell's chances, as will Todd Matthews on the wing. At Ellem Oval, space is at a premium, making clean ball use even more pivotal to the result.
Should be close.
North Coffs v Nambucca Valley
North Coffs are odds-on to continue their unbeaten record this season as they host last-placed Nambucca Valley at the Coffs Coast Leisure Park.
The Kangaroos withstood the challenge in last weeks local derby with an even contribution across the board getting the side home. They possess the best individual players in the competition and will form a strong component of the Interleague squad for the June long weekend clash.
The side leads the clearances with Brad Giri and Darren Funston delivering on a weekly basis. Tom Merrick is a quiet achiever whilst Jordan O'Connor is growing as a genuine key position player in the forward line.
Nambucca have shown improvement under Ray McGrath who was the sides best last weekend. Jimmy Angel will have his hands more than full down back given the Kangaroos variety of attacking options.
Last Modified on 14/05/2009 14:02