Mid-season report: AFL Sapphire Coast
Some say it’s the most beautiful place in the world to play football, but it’s not up to us to judge.
As AFL Sapphire Coast enters the second half of the season, there remains pride and premierships on the line.
First Grade Women
Ladder
- Tathra 7-0
- Bermagui 3-3
- Eden 3-2
- Bega Valley 0-6
Full ladder available here.
Summary
Tathra is way out in front in this four-team league which unfortunately saw the Merimbula side have to abandon the season.
Bermagui and Eden will go toe-to-toe in the rest of the year, chasing second place.
It’s been a tough start for Bega, languishing at 0-6. Neither the Bombers’ women nor men have registered a score yet, but that’s understandable given the state of the club’s home ground in March. We’d back them to dominate any water polo series AFL Sapphire Coast wants to manage.
Highlights so far…
- – Tathra undefeated so far (share some of your secrets with the men’s team!). The side’s consistency and commitment from the first pre-season session is paying off.
- – All four women’s teams playing at Roy Howard Oval in Bega for Road Safety Round was a special coming together of the community.
- – The U15 Youth Girls competition has grown to six teams this year. Graduates of previous years’ Youth Girls division have stepped up into the senior ranks and are doing a great job.
Image
All four women’s teams played at Roy Howard Oval in Bega for Round Safety Round.
Men’s
Ladder
- Narooma A 7-0
- Bermagui 4-2
- Eden 3-1
- Merimbula 4-3
- Pambula 3-3
- Narooma B 2-1
- Bega Valley 0-6
- Tathra 0-5
Full ladder available here.
Summary
After an unconventional change following Round 4 in which the Division 1 and Division 2 competitions were merged, teams competing for the open men’s premiership are jostling hard for a spot in the finals.
Narooma A has started the season strong, running undefeated so far in 2022. The feat is extra impressive given the team’s loss of some key players to injury. It demonstrates the club’s depth and shows why they will be hard to beat this season.
Bermagui has been the surprise packet so far, sitting at 4-2 and causing a few upsets. Its 21-point win over Merimbula in Round 4 was a highlight, although its trouncing from Narooma (17.19.121-0.2.2) in Round 1 and Pambula (8.15.63-3.3.21) in Round 5 would be a concern for the squad.
All men’s clubs have struggled with player numbers at various point throughout 2022 and will be looking at the long weekend as a good chance to regroup and rest to charge into the back half of the year.
Highlights so far…
- – Narooma A’s 7-0 start puts them in the box seat for a home final.
- – Clubs’ exemplary handling of the divisional merge. Thank you.
- – The young talent coming through all clubs has been well supported by senior players at training and on game days.
