Round 11 of the 2011 TAC cup will be a very exciting weekend of football. Teams are now fighting for a spot in the finals, and with all teams missing key players through state selections; it will give opportunities to other players in the competition. Some teams are fighting to stay in the finals race and this weekend will show us who the real competitors are as Ben Cavarra reports.
Eastern Ranges vs. Bendigo Pioneers: Box Hill City Oval
The Eastern Ranges are coming off 4 straight losses and it will be a difficult task when they take on the Bendigo Pioneers who are on a high after recording their first win for the year against Calder Cannons. The last time they met, round 4 this year, the Ranges came out victors on the day by 9 points. With both teams missing players through state games this should be a very close encounter. This is a must win game for both teams as this could be their final chance to get a spot in the finals.
Calder Cannons vs. Dandenong Stingrays: Highgate Recreation Reserve
The Calder Cannons are coming off a loss to bottom placed Bendigo Pioneers and will come out firing looking to make up for their poor performance last week. The Dandenong Stingrays are coming off 2 straight losses and both teams are missing key players due to state games. Stingray’s Nathan Wright is in great form, being name in the top two best players in the last 5 games, while Daniel Markworth has been in fine form, being one of the Cannons best players on 7 out of 9 occasions so far this season.
Northern Knights vs. Geelong Falcons: Preston City Oval
Only one game separates these two teams, and with both teams coming off losses they will come out firing. This is the first time these two teams meet this year, and with only one team separating the two on the ladder this should be a very good game. A couple of players to watch in this game include; Nicholas Maric from the Knights who has kicked 11 goals in his past three games and has been named in the best multiple times this season, and from the Falcons Jai Sheahan who averages 2 goals per game and has kicked 4 or more goals on three occasions this year.
Western Jets vs. Gippsland Power: Shepley Oval
Gippsland Power are up and about after comfortably beating the Ranges last week by 83 points, and they have also had the edge over the Western jets in recent times, the Power beat the Jets by 67 points in their round four encounter this year. Both teams have players out due to state games and they both will need other players in their team to step up and play their role for their side. Western jets have been very accurate in front of goal this year and if Gippsland are going to win they will need to make the most of their opportunities.
Oakleigh Chargers vs. Murray Bushrangers: Warrawee Park
This is the first time these two teams meet this year and they are separated on the ladder by 2 games. Some of the players to watch are; Oakleigh’s Damian Mascitti is in great form kicking 7 goals in his past two games and has been in the chargers best 4 out of a possible 8 times this year. Nicholas Warnock for the Bushrangers has kicked 10 goals in his past 3 games and averages 2 goals per game for the year. The Bushrangers need to win this if they want to have any hopes of making finals, and the Chargers are looking to cement a spot in the top eight.
Sandringham Dragons vs. North Ballarat Rebels: Trevor Barker Beach Oval
Only percentage separates these two teams in the match of the round, with both teams on 7 wins and 3 losses for the year. Multiple players from both teams are out due to state games, but it will give opportunities for other players to stand up. Jake Lloyd for the Rebels is in great form with 6 goals in his past two games, and also being named in the best players 4 times this year. Christopher Mangoni has been named in the best 3 out of the last 4 games for the Dragons and four times overall this year. There are game winners on both teams and the team that wants the footy more on the day will be the team that wins.
Last Modified on 01/07/2011 15:54