The temptation might be for the O’Rourke Realty A-Grade to drift into tomorrow’s qualifying round climax in preservation mode, but neither the team nor individuals can afford it.
The last game of the regular season against Wanneroo at Wanneroo Showgrounds tomorrow will pit the fourth-placed Tigers against bottom team Roos, but it will be no ‘gimme.’
The Roos are bound to return to B-Grade and will be keen to make a statement on their way back to the second tier, so there will be plenty of pride at stake as they play their last A-Grade game – for now – in front of their home crowd.
For the Beach, with pressure coming from below, few players are guaranteed a place in the senior team on the eve of the finals, so individuals have plenty of incentive to perform at their optimum. And there is the added possibility that victory could elevate the club into third position.
It might be unlikely, but it is feasible, that Kingsway could unseat third-placed Fremantle CBC at Kingsway Reserve.
If the Craig Dalton and his Rockets can cause an upset on their home deck, victory would see the Beach vault into third place and the all-important double chance.
So there is every reason for North Beach to finish positively and at least create the possibility of finishing the home and away season strongly – not to mention the momentum it would take into what looms as an intriguing and open finals series.
The Lifenet A-Reserves have set a remarkable standard throughout the season, their only blemish coming a fortnight ago, and they will be looking to complete the year in good form as they prepare to win a hat trick of premierships.
They have put themselves in pole position with a near exemplary home and away performance and have, for some time, had top position locked away.
They will look to fine tune their systems ahead of a bye next weekend as they see the challenges compete to play them in a second semi-final a fortnight from now.
The Plasterwise Phil Scott Colts, on paper at least, appear to have the toughest assignment of all at Wanneroo Showgrounds.
The Roos colts have been competitive all season and the Beach boys will need to be on their mettle to ensure they finish in second position.
There is some serious talent in the Beach colts line-up and it would be worth getting to the ground early to see them round out their finals preparations with a game that looms as a genuine challenge.
Fixtures
August 24, 2019
O’Rourke Realty A-Grade
Wanneroo v North Beach, Wanneroo Showgrounds, 2.30pm
Lifenet A-Reserves
Wanneroo v North Beach, Wanneroo Showgrounds, 12.35pm
Plasterwise Phil Scott Colts
Wanneroo v North Beach, Wanneroo Showgrounds, 10.40am
Hybrid Linings D1-Reserves
North Beach v University, Charles Riley Reserve, 2.30pm
Coast to Coast Imports D1-Reserves
North Beach v University, Charles Riley Reserve, 12.35pm
GJ Osplumb E3-Grade
North Beach v SNESA, Charles Riley Reserve, 2.30pm
