Coffs Swans v Port Macquarie
With the start of the finals only a fortnight away, this match at Fitzroy Oval carries much more significance than the four competition points on offer.
Both sides are likely to face off in the Elimination Final after Port blew away Grafton at home last week. In their best match for the season, Jesse Schmidt and Dean Nankervill were potent in front of goal. Like their side, the duo have been in and out of form but provide that X-factor that will enhance the Magpies’ finals aspirations.
Michael Kemp and Tim Donohue will offer the drive through the middle, in tandem with Matthew Lill who is intense and hard at the ball. Along with Shannon Skreja, Lill will ensure the southern outfit is competitive come finals time.
Kemp deserves special praise after his great efforts last week. He hasn’t played every week but marked basically everything and dominated the ruck, filling in a void that has been there since Jon Stephens was last at the club.
The Swans were ordinary last week. Admittedly, they were below strength but even with all men on deck, they lack the leadership and direction of the top sides.
When there is movement through the corridor, the Swans look a better side. Against Sawtell and North Coffs, the red and whites were pushed wide and unable to get men behind the ball.
Blake Ford and Sam Turner are strong link-up players with others needing to follow their lead. Rob Eddy is one of the Swans players keen to bounce back after he was outgunned by Jordan O’Connor.
It is a big day for the Swans who also commemorate their 1999 Premiership win. May of the past players will be among a host of guests to return to town to support the current side. Kudos goes to Ken McGrath and the Swans hierarchy for organising what is sure to be a bumper weekend. There will be some sore bodies on Saturday, and even sorer heads come Sunday.
There lies extra motivation for the Swans to rise to the occasion against a resurgent Magpies unit.
North Coffs v Nambucca Valley
It will be another big win for North Coffs when they host the Lions this week at the Coffs Coast Leisure Park.
With more important matches to come, expect the Kangaroos to work on ironing out a few chinks that were well concealed in their near-floorless display against the Swans.
Sam Dawes again showed why he is the reigning Best and Fairest with a nine-goal show. His main competition for the same honour this year, Darren Funston, was also strong in the midfield that is still missing Brad Giri.
The impressive aspect is the contribution of the second-tier players leading into another tough finals campaign.
The Lions were walloped last week with only fifteen players taking the field for a home game. They will make the trip up north but will come home with their tails between their legs again.
Grafton v Sawtell/Toormina
Sawtell are on a roll and expect them to show no mercy against Grafton at Ellem Oval on the weekend.
Without the Matthews clan, the Saints support crew chipped in to help their side to an easy win over the Lions.
Daniel Pritchard and Mark Couzens again led from the front, with the under-rated Tim Chuhaj kicking six goals. Daniel Johnson is starting to build into a gallop and will be a dangerous proposition as Sawtell looks set to appear again on Grand Final Day. That would be their fifth in a row.
The Missing Persons Unit are still looking for the Grafton side that were unable to challenge the Magpies in their most important game of the year. They now need to win their remaining two games and Port to lose theirs.
Their cause was not helped with Daniel Zacek playing carrying a hand injury, with the star Tiger in doubt this week. Justin Darby will have another tough task trying to stop spearhead, Ben Hooke.
There are some strong individuals lining up for either side, with Grafton not far off the third and fourth sides on their day, and have pushed North Coffs each time they have faced off. The difference here is that Sawtell are a much better team.
Last Modified on 30/07/2009 17:47