Hamilton will need to put the disappointment of last weekend’s thrilling draw with Broadmeadow behind them when they take on the Jets Youth on Sunday.
Match of the Round
Hamilton Olympic v Newcastle Jets Youth
2.30pm Sunday 31st July at Darling Street Oval
Last Meeting: Hamilton 5 Jets Youth 0 at Darling Street Oval, Saturday 21st May 2016
Ladder: Hamilton 1st (35pts) Jets Youth 6th (17)
Past 3 Starts (Most Recent First):
Hamilton – Drew Magic 1-1 (a), Won Eagles 3-1 (h), Won Bears 3-1 (a)
Jets – Won Rosebuds 4-1 (h), Lost Magic 10-2 (a), Lost Eagles 4-2 (a)
Bottom Line
After the high of knocking Edgeworth off top spot, the week before Olympic must regroup after a result which handed Edgeworth the initiative in the premiership race.
The Jets Youth will be no pushovers, though, having lost just three of their last ten matches. The back end of the season has been fruitful for the Jets young guns with Cameron Joice, Krisitan Brymora and Cody Carroll leading their attacking charge. At the back, the acquisition of Matt Richardson has steeled up their defence.
However, the Jets must overcome history if they are to win this match. Their last win against Olympic came way back in their first meeting in round five of 2012 when the Youth side won 3-1 on that occasion. Since that day it has been all one-way traffic with Hamilton winning six of their last eight clashes, with two draws which both came in 2014 when the Jets were minor premiers.
Key: The pressure is on Hamilton to get the three points this weekend, while the pressure will also be on the young Jets as they vie for spots in NYL team. Who will respond better?
Valentine Phoenix v Broadmeadow Magic
3pm Sunday 30th July at Blacksmiths Oval
Last Meeting: Broadmeadow 3 Valentine 3 at Magic Park, Sunday 22nd May, 2016
Ladder: Valentine 7th (15) Broadmeadow 3rd (29)
Past 3 Starts (Most Recent First):
Valentine – Drew Bears 2-2 (h), Won Jaffas 3-2 (a), Lost Rosebuds 2-0 (h)
Broadmeadow – Drew Olympic 2-2 (h), Won Jets 10-2 (h), Lost Eagles 2-0 (a)
Bottom Line
The real question regarding this match is which Valentine side will turn up on Saturday? The Phoenix have had some outstanding showings this season, knocking off Charlestown and Maitland, both sides who are above them on the ladder, while they also held Broadmeadow to a 3-3 draw last time out.
However, disappointing showings against Weston last outing, Adamstown, and Lambton this season have ensured the Lake Macquarie based side sit ten points outside a finals spot and not within touching distance. This match will be a real test for the Phoenix, with Broadmeadow in red hot form after disposing of the Jets Youth 10-2 a couple of weeks ago and holding rivals Hamilton to a 1-1 draw on Sunday.
Key: Consistency. If Valentine can put two halves of quality football together on Saturday, Magic may be stunned for the second time this year against the Phoenix.
Charlestown City Blues v Edgeworth Eagles
2.30pm Sunday 31st July at Lisle Carr Oval
Last Meeting: Edgeworth 6 Charlestown 1 at Jack McLaughlan Oval, Sunday 22nd May 2016
Ladder: Charlestown 5th (21) Edgeworth 2nd (34)
Past 3 Starts (Most Recent First):
Charlestown – Won Bears 3-2 (a), Drew Jaffas 0-0 (h), Won Rosebuds 3-1 (a)
Edgeworth – Lost Olympic 3-1 (a), Won Magic 2-0 (h), Won Jets 4-2 (h)
Bottom Line
A loss for Charlestown in any one of their final three matches will see their finals hopes evaporate, and they couldn’t have asked for a tougher run home if they had tried. Matches against Edgeworth, Broadmeadow and then Hamilton to finish off the trifecta will no doubt make it difficult for Shane Pryce’s men to overcome the 5 -point gap between themselves and fourth-placed Maitland.
Along with Valentine, Charlestown have proved the doubters wrong all year and this presents another chance to do so. Edgeworth will be somewhat more fatigued and tired than they would usually be after an energy-sapping trip up north, and it provides Shane Pryce’s men with an opportunity to pounce.
Key: Fatigue. The humidity of Cairns will take its toll on Edgeworth, but do they have the fitness in them to ensure that has no impact on Sunday.
Adamstown Rosebud v Lambton Jaffas
2.30pm Sunday 31st July at Adamstown Oval
Last Meeting: Lambton 5 Adamstown 0 at Arthur Edden Oval, Saturday 21st May 2016
Ladder: Adamstown 9th (11) Lambton 8th (13)
Past 3 Starts (Most Recent First):
Adamstown – Lost Jets 4-1 (a), Lost Magpies 4-2 (a), Lost Blues 3-1 (h)
Lambton – Lost Magpies 4-1 (h), Drew Blues 0-0 (a), Lost Phoenix 3-2 (h)
Bottom Line
It is incredible how much can change over the course of a year. Last season at this point both of these sides were pushing for a finals spot, this year they will be aiming to salvage something from the remaining three matches of the season. Both have had no luck with injuries this season, and the Rosebuds have also not been helped by red cards handed out with monotonous regularity.
Lambton’s season seemed to be heading upwards after a slow start to the season when they incredibly upset Hamilton Olympic in the FFA Cup. But, it wasn’t to be and now the Jaffas are slowly forgetting that winning feeling. It will be more than a month since they last won – a 3-1 win against last-placed Weston – when they take the field against Adamstown on Sunday, which doesn’t bode considering they have an FFA Cup clash in less than two weeks.
Key: Desire. With an NPL season both sides will want to readily forget, whoever has the most heart will win this one.
Maitland Magpies v Weston Workers Bears
2.30pm Sunday 31st July at Cooks Square Park
Last Meeting: Maitland 3 Weston 0 at Rockwell Automation Park, Sunday 22nd May 2016
Ladder: Maitland 4th (25) Weston 10th (3)
Past 3 Starts (Most Recent First):
Maitland – Drew Jets 1-1(h), Won Jaffas 4-1 (a), Won Rosebuds 4-2 (h)
Weston – Lost Blues 3-2 (h), Drew Phoenix 2-2 (a), Lost Olympic 3-1 (h)
Bottom Line
Weston’s chance to finish with at least one win in season 2016 is running out fast, but, a derby battle with Maitland which normally brings out the best in both sides, regardless of their positions on the ladder, gives the Bears an opportunity to break their duck against their main rivals.
Last season it was a 0-0 draw against lowly Maitland in round 14 which cost the Bears a spot in the finals. In a match Weston were expected to win, and consolidate a top four spot, they were unable to put a valiant Magpies side away. A year later, and history repeats, albeit both sides are in opposite spots on the ladder.
If Maitland win, they will be all but assured of a finals spot. However, if the Bears can spring a major upset, or even share the points with the home side, Maitland could face a nervous final two rounds of the season.
Key: Weston’s defence. The Bears’ backline will need to keep the likes of Matt Comerford and Ryan Clarke quiet if they are to take down their rivals.
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