At The Bar
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
THE Daily Advertiser sports journalists Simon Brunsdon and Matt Malone caught up "at the bar" to discuss the hot topics in the local football world.
Matt: Terrible news with Nathan Dowdle set to miss 12 months.
Simon: Shocking news. One of the Farrer League's nice guys and a real on-field leader at North Wagga. Fingers crossed he recovers in time to get back in 2015.
MM: Spot on, I'm sure he'll be back. The Saints are on the move aren't they, signing the Hamblin brothers and from all reports, more to come.
SB: Rumours of some very handy footballers in the pipeline for the Saints. They weren't far off the mark this year and with a few quality players they could become a real contender.
MM: I was impressed with their run in the elimination final. A few experienced bigger bodies thrown in and they are serious premiership contenders next season. What's your take on what happened at Temora?
SB: Strange one. When the club was happy to announce its decision to part ways with Kruger I assumed they must have already stitched up a 2015 coach, but it appears they are still on the hunt. Can't argue with Kruger's coaching record.
MM: It's the club's prerogative to extend his contract or not. The timing and how it unfolded surprised me. To Temora's credit, it remains on track for a third straight premiership.
SB: Kruger is a professional...he won't let anything distract him from the job at hand. What's the market on Temora-EWK this weekend?
MM: I'd have East Wagga as favourite. The Hawks beat them last time and are the form team of the competition.
SB: Temora hasn't beaten the Hawks this season. Should be a cracking game though. Is Marrar a chance of knocking off the Blue boys?
MM: Both should be great contests. Marrar is a chance, but Coleambally would be the team to beat. Can the Blues still win the flag after two heavy losses?
SB: Great question Matty. My heart says yes but my head says no. EWK has beaten them convincingly twice now, and no Dean Pound leaves a big hole to fill.
MM: One good win could turn it all around though. Enough Farrer League, let's talk about the premier competition. Mango and Coolamon will be the best game all weekend.
SB: That's dangerous talk Matt! But yes, it will be a cracker. Much more exciting than the four dead rubbers played last weekend.
MM: And the weekend before that and the weekend before that! Finals have been a long time coming. Who do you like?
SB: Still can't go past the Demons for the premiership. But Mango is right on their heels. Can't write any of the top five off at this stage.
MM: You're right. I think Coolamon is still as good a chance as any. Ganmain may have finished fifth but I'd hate to be taking them on in a sudden-death final, especially with them going in as the underdog.
SB: The Lions knows what finals is all about. Winning it from fifth is hard but not impossible. They have that experience that some of the younger sides might lack.
MM: Narrandera did it a couple of years ago so it can be done. I can see them possibly winning one or two, but not going all of the way. What did you think of Coolamon's big signing this week?
SB: Anyone who played 50 games in the AFL is no mug. And word on the street is Coolamon may need a key forward next season.
MM: He's kicked a lot of goals at every team he's played at. I think Ladhams will be a great get. Coolamon probably will need a new centre-half-forward but they're not letting preparations for next season get in the way of the current campaign. I suppose they're in a similar situation to Temora, but the two clubs have chosen to go about things in a different manner.
SB: I'm waiting for a coaching announcement from the Hoppers! Will be interesting to see which way they go.
MM: They're not afraid of making a hard decision but we'll wait and see. Put it this way, I don't think you'll be here to see who it is. After five years, you'll cover your last Farrer League game on Saturday.
SB: It's been a good five years, too. Enjoyed every second of it. Bring on Wollongong.