Warners Bay's first grade team goes into Round 9 with five wins and three losses under its belt. All three losses have been to City (2) and Killarney Vale (1) who are first and second on the ladder. The Bulldogs are currently fourth and come up against third placed Cardiff this weekend. The lads will be keen to knock off a team above them on the ladder and show they are contenders this season.
It won't be easy, though. Cardiff is coming off a very convincing win against Killarney Vale last round and will be full of confidence going into Saturday's match. The Bulldogs also managed a morale boosting win last week and it was much needed as the club has been battling a horrendous injury toll over the past month. Warners Bay will be looking to key playmakers such as Scott Bartlem, James Newburn, Clint Carter and Paul Wyman for drive around the ground and will also be relying on the pace and fitness of their younger generation to fill the gaps left by the injured list. A key to the match will be the Bulldogs ability to stop the on-ball combinations of Cardiff, which are considered the best in the competition. If their key playmakers can be prevented from getting easy ball to their forward line then the Bulldogs are a chance.
Reserve Grade will be looking to improve on their last performance against Woy Woy two weeks ago. The Doggies took a vastly understrength line up down the highway and came back firmly defeated. Warners Bay should be a much different proposition at home though despite bearing the major brunt of the club's injury woes. The return of captain Ben Street will boost the side and, like the Firsts, their chances will be best if they can nullify the strong Woy Woy midfield and prevent easy clearances into their forward line. Look to Ben Street, Anthony Mitchell, Scott Butcher and Cain Dendunnen for big performances.
In the first match of the day, the Under 18's will be looking record a win against the struggling Woy Woy side. The Bulldog's won by nearly forty goals a couple of weeks ago and it will be a confident outfit that takes the field this week. Coach Petherbridge may take the opportunity to rest some key players who have had a heavy workload recently but won't be taking anything for granted. Sean Colville has been in devastating form in recent weeks and will be one to watch if he is given too loose a reign in the middle.
Last Modified on 01/06/2007 13:01