With the weather on the dramatic improvement, and thank goodness, as the rain caused all sorts of headaches last weekend, it is pleasing to announce that there are three full games being played today with the Sea Eagles at home to the Saints at Airlie Beach, the Bulldogs host the Tigers at Moranbah, and the featured match of the round is the clash between the Northern Beaches Magpies, at home at their new nest, the Magpies Sporting Club oval against the Mackay City Hawks, and with both teams on equal points, due to a first round bye to the Magpies, and a win and a points allocation due to a forfeit to the Hawks, todays clash will be a full on battle where we are likely to see some feather fly .
Coach of the Northern Beaches Magpies Dave Edwards told me that his side always tends to lift against the Hawks simply because they ( The Hawks ) are the bench mark of the competition, without disrespecting any of the other teams and although they always get a tough, physical encounter, it is played with great spirit and is usually a good clean game, and one his players look forward to.
Dave himself is keen to gauge how his team is tracking this early in the season, and as they got within 12 points of the Hawks in one encounter last year, and he can use them ( The Hawks ) as a yardstick for his side.
Despite going in undermanned as his full list is not all available just yet, Dave has said that he knows that his team, despite lacking the same level of skill as the Hawks, will give more in intensity and effort, and it is here that Dave is confident of a good outcome !
David Johnstone told me that although they had a good first up win, because they were unable to play last weekend, his boys are very keen to get on the paddock and are looking forward to playing the Maggies at their new home ground.
The Hawks too are not able to select from a full list due to the working commitments and our shift work environment, however he and his assistant Gary Downs are getting quite adept at slotting in up to five new faces every week, from his squad, and has said that should they make the finals team selection from such a big list may be difficult.
Like the Magpies , the Hawks are expecting a tough encounter and he and his side have a lot of respect for the Magpies and will not be taking the game lightly, especially as it their first home game.
With a new player kicking 9 goals last week, David expects his forward line to again dominate, but has said that his whole side seems fitter this year than last and after a really solid hit out from a full on practice game on Tuesday night, his crew are primed and ready to fire.
This game will be played at the new oval at the Magpies Sports Club, at Glenella, and I expect a good crowd to attend.
One point to finish on is the work done by our volunteers and in particular, the people on the gate trying to get enough entry fees to cover the costs of the umpires, who we need, in order to be able to play our great game.
If you are a player and are fully paid to your club, then you get free entry to your home games if you show your card, naturally, however that does not transfer to away games, and like every other sporting event in this district, you need to pay to enter.
Let’s try to remember these people are volunteers are only doing this job through a love of the game, and of the competition, they do not deserve your abuse if you are not happy with the fee, take your complaint to the League !
Last Modified on 18/04/2013 13:04