North Mackay will host the Eastern Swans in the round 4 Allied Pickford's Cup match of the round at Zeolla Park on Saturday.
The Eastern Swans have firmed as the premiership favourites heading into round 4, with Mackay City Hawks not too far behind. North Mackay will have to be mindful of the Swans in-form trio in David Fraser, Nicholas Kempe and Simon Kiegrel.
Kempe has been very damaging inside the forward fifty, booting 11-goals in the Swans opening two matches of the Allied Pickford's Cup season. With Kiegrel and Fraser both very damaging with football in hand.
Sam Dunbar and Joel Warren are the two most consistent players for the Saints and the North Mackay coaching staff will no doubt be looking to the duo for another consistent contribution but will need the next tier of players to step up against the impressive Swans.
The biggest hurdle for North Mackay will be penetrating the goals, as in the opening two rounds the Swans have only had an average 36-points kicked against.
Saints will be missing their most prolific goal-scorer Brendan Riddle and will be looking for more goals from their small forwards and midfielders.
North Mackay may have a slight advantage with the Swans having a fairly easy run in Round 3 against the Magpies, round 2 bye and weeks off over Easter and Anzac Day. However, no doubt Swans coach Brad McLaren will has his troops firing and ready to go for the cross-town derby between the two sides.
The Saints have put together two impressive back to back wins over Bakers Creek and Whitsunday's but playing the Eastern Swans will be a step up in intensity and North Mackay will need to stay disciplined if they are to upset the premiership favourites.
In the weekends other matches the Mackay Magpies host the Mackay City Hawks at Magpies Sports Park and Bakers Creek hit the road to take on Moranbah Bulldogs at Stevenson Park.
Click here for a Round 4 Allied Pickford's Cup schedule.
Last Modified on 12/05/2015 11:57