In the Match of the Round Edgeworth meet a Maitland side who have roared back to life over the end of the season.
Match of the Round
Edgeworth Eagles v Maitland Magpies
2.30pm Sunday 7th August at Jack McLaughlan Oval
Last Meeting: Edgeworth 3 Maitland 1 at Cooks Square Park, Sunday 29th May, 2016
Ladder: Edgeworth 2nd (37pts) Maitland 4th (29)
Past 3 Starts (Most Recent First):
Edgeworth – Won Blues 2-1 (a), Lost Olympic 3-1 (a), Won Magic 2-0 (h)
Maitland – Won Bears 3-2 (h), Drew Jets 1-1(h), Won Jaffas 4-1 (a)
Bottom Line
The Magpies are undefeated in their last five matches and have won four of those five. Their only hiccup was a 1-1 draw with a resurgent Jets Youth side last Wednesday.
However, their second halves in their last three matches haven’t been as dominant as their start the matches. Against Lambton, they led 3-1 at the break and gave Lambton chances to get back into the game. A John Majurovski penalty, which was brilliantly saved by Matt Trott was one of a few chances the Jaffas were given to get back into the match.
Key: If Matt Thompson, Dean Heffernan, and Carl Thornton don’t play, can Maitland’s less experienced players step up to the plate against the 2nd placed Eagles?
Newcastle Jets Youth v Lambton Jaffas
2.30pm Saturday 6th August at Arthur Edden Oval
Last Meeting: Lambton 1 Jets Youth 1 at Arthur Edden Oval, Saturday 28th May 2016
Ladder: Jets 7th (18) Lambton 8th (16)
Past 3 Starts (Most Recent First):
Jets – Lost Olympic 1-0 (a), Drew Magpies 1-1 (a), Won Rosebuds 4-1 (h)
Lambton – Won Rosebuds 2-1 (a), Lost Magpies 4-1 (h), Drew Blues 0-0 (a)
Bottom Line
In the opening match of round 17, both sides will be aiming to finish the season as high as they possibly can, with the top four now wrapped up. Both can finish in 5th spot on the ladder, and that will be their thinking. Lambton’s major goal though will be to get ready for their Westfield FFA Cup tie next week against Devonport. The match being on a Saturday aids the Jaffas cause, giving them some added rest before their trip south.
It will be interesting to see what kind of side Lambton line up with on Saturday, given their aging squad and it seems likely that midfielders, Pete McPherson and Jobe Wheelhouse won’t play the full match on Saturday given with the likely rain this week the pitch will be heavy. John Majurovski is another one of the Jaffas old guards and he too may not see the full 90 minutes on Saturday.
Key: With two youthful line-ups expected on Saturday, which set of youngsters will take their chance?
Weston Workers Bears v Adamstown Rosebud
2.30pm Sunday 8th August at Rockwell Automation Park
Last Meeting: Adamstown 2 Weston 1 at Adamstown Oval, Sunday 29th May 2016
Ladder: Weston 10th (3) Adamstown 9th (11)
Past 3 Starts (Most Recent First):
Weston – Lost Magpies 3-2 (a), Lost Blues 3-2 (h), Drew Phoenix 2-2 (a)
Adamstown – Lost Jaffas 2-1 (h), Lost Jets 4-1 (a), Lost Magpies 4-2 (a)
Bottom Line
This match won’t change anything in terms of the ladder, but a heap of pride will be on the line this Sunday afternoon at Rockwell Automation Park. Weston are still searching for their first win of 2016 and there is no better time to do it than this weekend in front of the fans who have stuck with the Bears through a difficult season.
It has now ticked over to just over a year since the Bears last tasted victory in the PlayStation 4 NPL Northern NSW, that win was back in round 15 last year against Charlestown at Rockwell Automation Park. Since the Rosebud’s were promoted at the end of the 2013 season the sides have met on five occasions with Weston winning one, Adamstown two and two draws. Weston haven’t beaten the Rosebuds at home since 2007 where they won 7-0.
Key: Heart and desire. There is not much on the line in terms of the ladder in this one. Weston desperately want a win; Adamstown won’t want to be the side who loses to them. Whoever wants it more will win on Sunday.
Hamilton Olympic v Valentine Phoenix
2.30pm, Sunday 8th August at Darling Street Oval
Last Meeting: Hamilton 5 Valentine 0 at Cahill Oval, Saturday 28th May 2016
Ladder: Hamilton 1st (38) Valentine 6th (18)
Past 3 Starts (Most Recent First):
Hamilton – Won Jets 1-0 (h), Drew Magic 1-1 (a), Won Eagles 3-1 (h)
Valentine – Won Magic 2-1 (h), Drew Bears 2-2 (h), Won Jaffas 3-2 (a)
Bottom Line
Hamilton will be missing two of their most important players when they meet Valentine at Darling Street on Sunday afternoon, with the terrible news coming out this week that midfielder Jacob Bailey will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL and keeper Danny Ireland is out for anywhere between two and four weeks.
However, if any side has the depth to cover the injuries it is Hamilton. The experienced Andrew Swan or Simon Mooney will come into the side to replace Bailey, while backup goalkeeper Tom Pullin had a full season of the first-grade experience with former club South Cardiff in 2015.
Key: The loss of Ireland and Bailey opens the door slightly for Valentine. Can they take the opportunity with both hands?
Broadmeadow Magic v Charlestown City Blues
2.30pm Sunday 8th August at Magic Park
Last Meeting: Broadmeadow 4 Charlestown 2 at Lisle Carr Oval, Sunday 29th May 2016
Ladder: Broadmeadow 3rd (29) Charlestown 5th (21)
Past 3 Starts (Most Recent First):
Charlestown – Lost Eagles 2-1 (h), Won Bears 3-2 (a), Drew Jaffas 0-0 (h)
Broadmeadow – Lost Phoenix 2-1 (a), Drew Olympic 2-2 (h), Won Jets 10-2 (h)
Bottom Line
With Charlestown’s finals hopes gone after their loss to Edgeworth on the weekend, and Broadmeadow’s slim chance to claim the minor premiership ended on the weekend, it seems both sides will have little to play for on the weekend. The highest Charlestown can finish is fifth while Broadmeadow will finish the season in either third or fourth depending on how their final two matches go.
But with that all said, the match will be crucial for both squads, with positions on the line for next season. Shane Pryce will be looking at players he will keep for next year, while Broadmeadow coaches Rob Virgili and Bobby Naumov will be looking for their best side for the finals series.
The sides have split their last six matches, with Broadmeadow winning the last two, including their match earlier in the season which Magic won at Lisle Carr Oval 4-2. However, Charlestown haven’t been able to win at Magic Park since 2013, where they won 5-2.
Key: Charlestown need to keep Broadmeadow’s attacking weapons quiet. While James Virgili is out, Kale Bradbury has scored six goals in his last three games and the Blues will need to watch him.
CLICK HERE for a full Round 17 preview.