The Tathra Sea Eagles are confident of knocking over Bermagui on Saturday.
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Clashing in the Sapphire Coast AFL minor semi-final, the Sea Eagles claimed a straight-forward win over the Breakers last weekend.
“We spoke last week about putting a bit of doubt in their [Bermagui’s] mind, and I think we’ve done that over the weekend.” senior captain Luke Taylor says.
“It gives us that confidence boost going into this week.”
Taylor said the Sea Eagles are battling a few niggling injuries, but that was part and parcel of the season with the club almost at full strength going into the weekend.
“You do get those niggling little injuries, you can’t help that, but the boys are pretty fresh and ready for the contest,” he said.
“When you can’t finish on top you gun for that third spot to lock in the home final so that’s what we’ve done to get our home crowd and that momentum moving forward.
“We’re going to ride that momentum as far as we can, hopefully for the next couple of weeks and give the finals a real good shake.”
The midfield is where the Sea Eagles get plenty of their work done with Rick Spink coming out strong in the ruck in previous rounds, while Troy O’Loghlin, Chris Dwyer and Taylor himself have been key at getting the ball out of the middle and up the middle.
Taylor said his middle-men were showing some of their best form, but it was coming at the right time as they would have to contest against the in-form Scott Proctor, while Luke Moresi would provide leadership for the Bermagui contingent.
Statistically this season, the Breakers boast a marginal lead in their defensive efforts, but the Sea Eagles have a hefty lead in offensive stats, out-scoring Bermagui by more than 40 per cent over the season – a figure of about 500 points.
In other grades, the Sea Eagles also finished third in the development grade and will host the Broulee/Moruya Giants this weekend as the Eagles enjoy two home draws.
Despite finishing fourth, the Giants have a much lower attacking presence than the Sea Eagles and have also conceded 300 more points over the season with a weaker defensive line as well.
So despite facing potential elimination in both grades, officials are extremely confident of their chances of pushing through to the preliminary final in a fortnight.
Meanwhile, the Sea Eaglettes ladies team lead the competition tally in the women’s draw and will get the week off before heading to Narooma to meet Eden in the major semi-final at Bill Smyth Memorial Oval.
The Eaglettes suffered an opening round loss to the Eden Whalers, but have since boasted an undefeated streak and are competition favourites to claim the flag over their Eden rivals.
Minor semi-finals are at Lawrence Park on Saturday with senior play to go ahead from 11.50am.