Tathra Sea Eagles captain Luke Taylor is under no illusion that the Bermagui Breakers will be a pushover this weekend.
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The Breakers kept the Panthers to four goals last round and will look to their midfielders to excel once more.
“Their biggest strength is that midfield, you’ve got guys the likes of two-time league best and fairest winners Scott Proctor and Luke Moresi, throw in Daniel Smith, we certainly won’t be taking the challenge lightly,” Taylor said.
Five rounds out from the finals series, the Sea Eagles and the Breakers are locking horns for third place on the competition table and Taylor expects a strong contest from his outfit to lock in the home-final.
“We’re gunning for third to get that home final and this weekend could have a big bearing on that outcome,” he said.
“It’s now the run home and we’re really starting to hit our straps, but the biggest challenge for us now is to string that together over the full four quarters.
“At this stage we’re sitting where we think we deserve to be and want to earn our spot in that finals series, we don’t want to rely on other teams losing rounds.”
The Sea Eagles had what Taylor said was probably their best quarter all season to outscore Narooma by seven goals in the opening period last round.
The ladder-leading Lions were able to rally and steal the win away in the later stages.
“We’ve been really slow starters all year, but we just got off to a flyer … that game just kind of got away from us at the end,” Taylor said.
“But we’ll definitely take alot from that experience to tinker and fine tune a few things.”
However, the club will also welcome the return of key players in coming weeks.
“Adam Blacka will be back in for us, he’s a big inclusion in the mix and a very versatile player,” Taylor said.
“Blake Grant has been out with a hand injury, but he should be back next weekend and he’s in top form.”
The captain also praised Chris Dwyer and Louis Coulton, two of the club speedsters, who have been putting in overtime on the park to win possessions.
The Sea Eaglettes ladies will also contest play with the Breakers.
Despite missing Tarni Evans on national duties, the Eaglettes are tipped to win the contest as they sit atop the SCAFL ladder.
Senior play will run from 12.40pm at Bermagui’s Dickinson Oval with the senior game to start at 2.30pm.
The Tathra reserves play at Bega’s Roy Howard Oval at 11.50am.