AUSSIE rules clubs up and down the coast welcomed a bye last week to rest niggling injuries.
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Most clubs are now fighting fit and ready to hit the field, but Tathra Sea Eagles coach Luke Taylor said his squad still had a few in question.
“There’s a couple still under the cloud, but we’re getting a few back in,” Taylor said.
The Sea Eagles will need all hands on deck to meet the Pambula Panthers at the Pambula Sporting Complex on Saturday.
“If you go off the results thus far, they’re the team to beat and we’re looking forward to the challenge .
“They’re in some good touch.”
Mitch O’Loghlin, Lachlan Rettke and David Little will all make their return for the Tathra club on Saturday.
“They’re three very handy players to have back in,” Taylor said.
“We’re just trying to manage our side.
“If it means a few blokes have to miss a few games at this time of the year, then so be it.”
The game will be a grand final rematch that fans have been waiting for.
“We beat them in the grand final last year so they’ll have their motivation on, no doubt.
“It’s a new season and new challenge, we don’t need any motivation to want to beat them.
“We want to go to each game looking to come away with a win, it will be no different this week,” he said.
Breakers ready to smash Narooma
Bermagui Breakers president Tim Holds-worth said the senior squad was in good shape after the bye.
Being the northernmost clubs in the competition, Holdsworth said the two have a strong rivalry and looked forward to the clash on Saturday.
“[We have] heaps of rivalry, there will be a lot of feeling in this game,” Holdsworth said.
The Breakers will take on the Lions at Bill Smyth Memorial Oval, Nar-ooma and Holdsworth expects a challenge.
“We hold a lot of respect for what they’re gonna have on Saturday, it will be a very tough match.
“We’ll be looking to the likes of Brent [Ohlin] to really have a good game this week and our young blokes like Nick Lasaro holding the back line together.”
Meanwhile, the Breakers will be out to shut down Narooma captain Rowan Hawkey.
“We’ll look to quieten him down a bit.
“And it depends on their contingent that comes down from Canberra, we’ll keep an eye on those boys.”
However, Holdsworth said ominous forecasts for Saturday could intensify the game.
“It’s looking pretty ordinary, could be a wet day which will make things very interesting.”
The Breakers won’t hold back and will be out for the points.
“We had a comofortable win against Eden and we’re just looking to improve on that this week.”