The AFL Mackay Match of the Round this week has been in the making for the past three months and what a blockbuster it has the potential of being, with two well-balanced teams, who are at this stage of the season, both unbeaten and performing well under all conditions, and in positions one ( Hawks ) and two ( Swans ) on the ladder, with only percentage between them, and with both sides eager to prove superiority over the other, this game could be a preview to the grand-final, depending on the ladder positions at the end of the home and away season.
A win to either side over the other would be a tremendous boost to the teams confidence, and although we are only just over half way through the season, and with another clash between these two sides in round 17, a win now can make an enormous difference to the psyche of the winning team.
Both teams including all players, committee’s and their respective coaches, are well aware of just how important a win this weekend is, to each teams finals aspirations.
Coach of the top of the ladder Hawks Dave Johnstone, said this week that although his side will be missing up ten regular first grade players due to work and other commitments, the boys he is elevating into the senior side know what is expected, and like the whole club, all of the boys are aware of their brand of" Hawks Footy ", and if instructions are carried out to the letter, Dave expects a win over a very strong Swans outfit.
Dave told me his magnet board has been smoking due to overuse this week, and while he is confident that his team can do what is required, Dave did stress that at no stage are they taking the Swans lightly, as they are the other form team in the competition at the moment.
Dave expects this game to be played at a finals type of intensity and if his boys can dominate the centre clearances as they have done all year, he is quietly of a win.
Meanwhile Eastern Swans Coach Brad McLaren told me that his side too will be missing up to six regular players, however, as his team is aware of the importance of this game , they go into the game full of expectations and he has every confidence his backline can withstand the pressure from the form forward line in the comp, in the Hawks crew, and Brad wants his boys to restrict the oppositions scoring opportunities
Brad said that while the Hawks play the Harrup Park oval well, his team has been focusing on adapting their normal style to suit conditions, and while the Swans play a different brand of footy to the Hawks, he is keen to see how they stack up against arguably, the best performing team in the comp for the last three years or so.
Brad said that this should be a great game, and a win could cement second position on the ladder for the Swans even this far out from the finals.
Other games this weekend are the Whitsunday Sea Eagles at home at the Whitsunday Sports Park up at Airlie Beach to the Bakers Creek Tigers, where the unlucky Tigers could post their first win for the year, although good luck to both sides, and the Northern Beaches Magpies take on the North Mackay Saints at Magpies Sporting Complex, and this too should be a good game, although the Saints are travelling a little better than the Maggies.
If the weather holds it looks to be a cracking round of AFL here in Mackay so if you can get along to a game, cheer the boys and be sure to watch the Big Men Fly.
Last Modified on 28/06/2013 10:04