The red hot ambition of the Tathra Sea Eagles seniors to get back in the winners’ circle will take a back-seat on Saturday as the women’s encounter shapes as the match of the round.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The senior Sea Eagles have missed the biscuits by less than 15 points in two consecutive encounters and will be battling furiously for a win on the weekend, but are unlikely to be challenged by the Eden Whalers in the senior draw.
However, the ladies fixture will shape as a top-of-the-table showdown, a clash of the titans and a second grand final rematch for the season.
The first went in favour of the Whalers in round one as they came from behind to seal a late win with Kamilla Grubesic bagging three goals against the Sea Eaglettes.
The two have not met since and sit just two competition points apart with Tathra comfortably holding down second with just one strike against their name.
Since their fateful round one encounter, both clubs have been on a streak of victories, casting aside all teams before them with the exception of a draw to Pambula by the Whalers.
That loss was on Eden soil, while this round goes ahead at the Sea Eagles’ home fortress of Lawrence Park.
The two stack up with similar fast-moving play-styles focused around the middle and clearances from the ruck will prove critical to moving the ball around favorably on Saturday.
There is fantastic depth to the lines of the Sea Eaglettes with a number of players able to put their hand up and shine through the midfield and on the fringes.
Sam Crowley has stepped up in recent weeks and has been bagging a number of goals for the team, while Cymmon Parker and Hannah Centra have shown great resolve through ball contests around the middle.
Ruck-flanker Tarni Evans is at the top of her game on the back of state All Schools selection for nationals and Elouise Russell is coming into her own as a phenomenal on-baller for the club.
However, in recent outings, Eden has shown similar depth and great endeavour out of the middle with lots of goal kickers putting their mark on the game.
Look for plenty of hussle in the central clearances as this game will likely go down to the wire.
In the later senior fixture, the bottom-of-the-table Eden Whalers are doubtful to pose much risk to the third-placed Sea Eagles.
Tathra will use the game to regather and focus on the task at hand to get back in the winners’ circle and build momentum with finals already looming in the near future.
Ladies play will go ahead at 1.10pm at Lawrence Park on Saturday with seniors to run at 2.30pm.