Premiership favourites and undefeated top sides the Eastern Swans and Mackay City Hawks will go head to head in a mouth-watering Round 6 encounter of the Allied Pickford’s Cup.
Both sides come into this match with an unblemished record and will be looking for early season bragging rights. Many have called this an Grand-Final preview for September and it definitely has the hype of a titanic affair heading in.
Swans stalwart Terry Bailey plays his 250th match, Hawk Nabako Stow is in his final preparations before his debut at the MCG and both sides are ranked one and two respectively for offense and defense.
Eastern Swans will start slight favourites, as the ladder leaders are the number one ranked offensive and defensive side over the opening five rounds.
The men in red and white average per game 168.5 points for and a mere 23.75 points against. However the Hawks aren’t too far behind, averaging 150 points per game for and only a slim 36.2 points against.
Mackay City has relied heavily on Brodie Saltmarsh over the opening rounds, with Saltmarsh booting home 35 majors so far this season. His best was against the much improve Magpies when he had a day out booting 9 majors.
Though Saltmarsh will come up against a relentless Swans defensive unit that has been outstanding so far.
For the Swans, they have shared the load in front of the big sticks with young-gun Nicholas Kempe and Grant Evans who have shared the work-load up forward booting 41 goals between them, creating headaches for opposition all season.
Kempe has been by far the Swans most consistent and no doubt can expect close attention against the Hawks but has been well supported by the ever consistent Simon Kiegrel and Andrew Leithhead.
Mackay City has relied heavily on the influence of Brodie Saltmarsh who has been named in the Hawks three out of five matches along with the previously mentioned Nabako Stow and Scott Brown.
Both clubs will be wary that premierships aren’t won in May and will know that the early season confidence in a win will go a long way to securing an ideal run come September.
With stalwart Bailey playing in his milestone match and the Swans at Rogers Oval, the preseason champs will be the early favourites. However, the Hawks will have different ideas.
A game not to miss, with first bounce from 2:45pm.
Round 6 Allied Pickford's Cup Action
Eastern Swans Vs. Mackay City Hawks @ Rogers Oval from 2:45pm
Whitsunday Sea Eagles Vs. Bakers Creek Tigers @ Airlie Beach from 2:45pm
North Mackay Saints Vs. Moranbah Bulldogs @ Zeolla Park from 2:45pm
Last Modified on 21/05/2015 21:12