Rookies, Bakers Creek have a daunting task ahead of them when they host the reigning premiers in the opening round of the AFL Mackay Premier Women's season.
Mackay Magpies were the standout team in the inaugural 2014 season and again proved to be the team to beat after an undefeated Preseason Challenge Carnival earlier in March. Both the Tigresses and Magpies never went head to head in the pre-season carnival but the rookies were impressive.
It will be a mouth-watering opening round of the new season and the Magpies will take the favourites tag heading into this encounter.
Inaugural best and fairest winner for the Magpies Tina Hancock will be the player the Bakers Creek coaching staff will need to keep an eye on. The hard running link player averages 3 goals per game and can win games on her own boot.
However, Hancock isn't the only player to watch with 2015 Captain Adrian Smith and young gun Teah Mealy showing excellent form throughout the pre-season period.
For the Tigresses, they are an unknown outfit but had numerous weapons on display throughout the pre-season challenge. Captain Kelly Hegarty will be one to watch along with the elusive Summer Parry and player-coach Kirsty Swindells who will provide plenty of options through the corridor.
This should be a close encounter, with the side that can stay the most disciplined and willing to take the game on.
In the weekend's other opening round match, the Eastern Swans will host the travelling Moranbah Bulldogs at Rogers Oval from 11:10am.
Former Swan and Mackay representative player Alisha Matsen will come up against her old side and will be the key if the Bulldogs are to come away from Rogers Oval with the four premiership points. The last time these two sides met officially was back in Round 8 last season where the Swans came away with a nail-biting 2-point victory under lights at Rogers.
The Swans will be looking to trio Rebecca Grummitt, Danielle Overall and Hanna Quayle to influence the contest from the outset.
All eyes will be on new recruit, Alana McNabb who has transferred from Victorian Women's Football League club Bendigo WFC. For Moranbah however, new recruit Matsen and inside mid Jennifer Revell will be important in the outcome of this round 1 encounter between the Bulldogs and Swans.
Round 1 Premier Women's Fixture
Bakers Creek Vs. Mackay Magpies
1:00pm @ Etwell Park
Eastern Swans Vs. Moranbah Bulldogs
11:10am @ Rogers Oval
North Mackay - bye
The views in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of AFL Mackay, affiliate clubs, players or officials.
Last Modified on 07/04/2015 08:15