In an attempt to get all teams featured at least once in the AFL Mackay Match of the Round during each season, our attention this week is on the game between the Bakers Creek Tigers at home, hosting the North Mackay Saints, this Saturday at Etwell park.
This game may not have a huge impact on the ladder and may not even have any impact on the finals appearances, however it is an important game for both clubs coming into the end of the season.
Bakers Creek are desperate to notch at least one win for the season, and as they have started to win a few quarters, in this second half of the year, against superior opposition, a win is not that far away.
The Saints on the other hand need a win to consolidate their position in the four, as they are on equal points to the Sea Eagles and as they ( Sea Eagles )play the Swans this week who, after their surprise loss to the Hawks last Saturday are a bit wounded, well, anything is possible up at Airlie beach .
Bakers Creek have the type of spirit that is the envy of some other clubs and it is often said that after losing week in and week out, it would be easy to understand if they chucked in the towel, but quite frankly the opposite is the case, they are well supported by their WAGS and families, and there is a great spirit down at the club, and all of the boys really dig deep and put in a fantastic effort week in and week out, it is a credit to all concerned.
Coach of the Tigers Shaun Williams said this week his team selection is a task as he has not had a full squad to select from all season, a theme quite common in our district, and so he really has not had his best side available for any game this year, but what he did emphasise is that the players selected each week have great endeavour and fantastic team spirit, and while they all know they are constantly up against a stronger opposition, he knows that his side will fight till the last siren, always give all they have, and do it as a team, and while they may not have kicked the winning score, Shaun says they can all leave the ground with their heads held high, knowing they have given it a real crack, and a red hot go…
Surely this is what AFL is all about !
North Mackay Saints assistant coach David Harding said that they ( Saints ) realise the importance of a win in this game and in reality, for every game from now till the end of the home and away season, as they need to keep other clubs at bay, in order that they play some finals footy, and playing finals is all important to the survival of the club. Winning attracts people, and the Saints need as many people and players as they can get .
David said that the policy of playing some up and coming juniors, introduced by senior coach Dennis Nicholson, is starting to pay dividends with the side now starting to gel and play together as a team.
David said it takes a bit of time to learn to trust each other under pressure but that this was starting to happen, as is evident by some of recent results that this side is starting achieve .
Other games this weekend are the flurry of feathers up at Airlie Beach where the Whitsunday Sea Eagles take on the wounded Eastern Swans, who will be smarting after last week’s loss and will come out firing I am sure, and the Moranbah Bulldogs who occupy third spot on the ladder, are at home at Stevenson’s Park in Moranbah, for the clash with the Northern Beaches Magpies and this contest usually produces a good game.
Once again the weather seems to be on our side, so do try to get along to a game and support local sport and local people.
Last Modified on 02/08/2013 11:06