CLOSEST SEASON IN YEARS…

Gerringong Lions winger Michael Robinson brushes away a Milton defender in the Lions win earlier this season. PHOTO: www.kiamapicture.com.au

ONLY seven points separate second and eighth placed teams on the Tooheys South Coast Rugby League competition table.

Albion Park are clear leaders and Group Seven league officials are hailing the 2006 competition as one of the closest in years.

This is the closest and most interesting season we have had for quite a while, said South Coast Rugby League Secretary Manager David Hall.

Last season the final five was almost decided before the halfway mark of the season, but this year looks like going right down to the wire and that has to be great for the competition, he added.

The Kiama Independent would like to thank Robert Crawford and Alex Arnold for their assistance with the southern teams. We hope you enjoy the comments from the coaches.

First Grade Points Table

P W L D B F A Pt

First Grade

A.P.O.F 11 10 0 1 2 498 186 25

Nowra 11 7 4 0 2 402 310 18

Gerringong 11 6 4 1 2 274 256 17

Shellharbour 12 5 4 3 1 350 283 15

Batemans Bay 12 6 6 0 1 343 414 14

Berry 12 5 6 1 1 250 292 13

Kiama 12 4 6 2 1 342 368 12

Milton Ulladulla 12 4 7 1 1 308 362 11

Warilla 11 0 10 1 2 188 484 5

Gerringong Lions

Coach - Alan Miller

After a solid start to the season are you happy with where you are sitting and what are your reflections on the season to date?

I am more than happy, particularly after our pre-season, which was pretty light on.

We are taking nothing for granted. We are only one loss away from dropping out so the comp should sort itself out in the next few weeks.

Its a close knit group and the club prides itself on its rich history, is that the key to your success?

Yeah I think it is and Im more than happy with the way they are. On the bye weekend a few went down to Canberra and the ones that stayed actually did some training.

Best win so far?

Still to come

With Albion Park certain Minor Premiers, who else will be there for the finals?

My only prediction is Park will make the semis. I respect all clubs too much to make a prediction on who will miss out.

What will it take to beat the Eagles?

There is a lot of football to be played and the comp is won in September. Having said that you have to be winning games now.

It comes down to the individual teams on the day.

Who will you look to come finals time?

We have such a young team. I dont feel we rely on a game breaker, I would mainly class them as a team.

We have changed out style of play to suit this and the star players will come to the fore in the big games.

Game breaker?

Look out for Michael Brown and backrowers Matt Vaux and Greg Sharpe.

Final thought?

Like all clubs we will be striving for consistency and hope to make the semi finals.

Every game from here on in a semi for us.

Also can i say it is good to see that the clubhouse at 13 Greta Street is thriving and the dancing poles have been fully installed.

Nowra Warriors

THE Warriors are the big improvers of the 2006 season thanks mainly to an off-season of recruiting. Among the stars are Group Seven veteran prop Mick Blattner and former NSW Country representative Geoff Johnson.

Predicted to be Albion Park's biggest threat, the Warriors have spent most of the season in second spot, but are yet to realise their potential.

On their game the Warriors are a potent attacking force, as their recent first half against Shellharbour showed, however their defence is at times very shaky, as the game against Shellharbour also showed.

Coach - Greg Lebrocque (spGreg Lebrocque.JPG)

What are your reflections on the season to date?

Our own performances have been dramatically improved on the past five years. We have a good bunch of guys and are progressing well.

We have had a couple of disappointing losses and if we had won those games we would be in a better position than where we are. We are not at our best yet, but there are good signs there

Is the Premiership your aim?

Semi finals and top three is our focus to start with. Anything else is a bonus.

What is your side's biggest asset?

Our side's biggest asset is our ability to score tries form long range.

Biggest weakness?

The fact our talk and organisation in defence is not the greatest, but it is improving. Come semi final time it will only improve.

With Albion Park certain Minor Premiers, who else will be there for the finals?

Gerringong and Shellharbour are in contention, but Gerringong have a tough draw. Berry look like that have a reasonable draw to sneak in. That could be a problem for us as we have played poorly against them

Can you survive the loss of Athol Lester?

Yes we can survive. He certainly took a great deal of enthusiasm out of our forward pack. We have proven we can lift without him, but a guy like Athol is very hard to replace.

Milton-Ulladulla Bulldogs

THE defending premiers got off to the worst possible start with four straight losses, including a heartbreaking 40-38 defeat at the hands of Albion Park.

From here they strung four wins together to be well in contention.

The Bulldogs are blessed with the talent of Glen Hughes and Greg Sherwin, but the loss of prop Billy Brown to Nowra was a big blow to the club.

Coach Andrew Phillips

What are your reflections on the season to date?

Probably as well placed as we could be.

It was disappointing not to win games we have put ourselves in a position to win, especially the two against Albion Park.

Is the Premiership your aim?

I would still say it is. 21 points should get us in the five and once we are there we can do anything.

What is your side's biggest asset?

Biggest asset is Greg Sherwin. His unpredictability - and skill.

Biggest weakness?

I'm not telling anyone that! Concentration and completions have let us down in the second half when fatigue sets in.

With Albion Park certain Minor Premiers, who else will be there for the finals?

Nowra will definitely be there, anyone else except for Warilla can make it

What is your secret to beating Albion Park?

Just basically completing sets and turning them around.

Turn the big fellas around enough and they start to knock up a bit and the outside backs can't take advantage of their go forward.

Simple football actually.

Batemans Bay Tigers

IN recent seasons the Batemans Bay Tigers have been consistently good and constantly in the mix come semi-final time.

It is surprising this year to see the Tigers have an up and down season. More than any other year it seems the Tigers fortunes hang on the gifted Aaron Brierley and veteran captain coach Michael Elliott.

With a run home that includes a number of home games, the Mackay Park factor could be the key top the Tigers sneaking into the top five.

Coach Michael Elliott

What are your reflections on the season to date?

We've been struggling but hanging there. A lot of injuries, a few blokes missing through work commitments but are hanging in there.

Is the Premiership your aim?

Of course it is. I think anyone can win it actually.

What is your side's biggest asset?

We have a good young side, and we all stick together pretty well.

What is your side's biggest weakness?

A lack of concentration.

What has been the reason for you up and down season?

You tell me. I wish I knew.

Berry-Shoalhaven Heads Magpies

BERRY-SHOALHAVEN Heads have been the surprise packet of the 2006 season.

The Magpies got off to a flying start winning three straight before just being pipped by Albion Park and have done enough to be well in contention for the semi-finals.

The withdrawal of Bomaderry from first grade last year has helped with Berry's depth.

Coach Trent Burns: (spTrent Burns.JPG)

What is your side's biggest asset?

Probably our mateship.

What is your side's biggest weakness?

Probably our size.

Is the premiership your aim?

We would love to make the semi finals and see what happens from there.

Are there enough points in you to make the semis?

I think there are enough points in us.

So far our defence has kept us in games and defence is the key come semi-final time.

Albion Park-Oak Flats Eagles

Coach - Shane Sainsbury

Still undefeated at this stage of the year, you must be happy with that result?

Yeah, the trouble is you can get carried away with that. What really matters is that one game come September.

The only team to come close this year has been Milton who have got away early, any nightmares from last year?

I dont think so, no. You need to front up every week and lift for the ones that count.

It really is all about attitude changes for us at the moment.

The players are tight knit, has there been any commitment or pact come finals time?

We have all talked about it which is something you need to do. The thing is not making the same mistake again and I feel we have learnt from it.

We wont know if we fully have until then.

Your team would be certain Minor Premiers, who else will be there for the finals?

Milton drew with us and they are toward the bottom of the table so it just comes down to who plays well on the day.

Nowra are a good team and we were great last season but it just come down to Milton wanting it more.

Their players lifted and that is the thing for us at the moment.

The biggest threat currently in the competition?

The team we play every week is a threat.

Who will you look to come finals time?

We have so many that can lift and at the right time. Shaun Jenkins, Simon Piminovs, Wade Walsh, Danny Settori are having great years.

Steve Butfield has been outstanding, Darrell Brisbane has changed his entire attitude to the game and training and Col Skelly is just going from strength to strength and is an inspiration.

Derek Spud Gray has been great up front.

Game breaker?

Ian Jones Everyone knows what he is capable of and he can change the game and step it up when he want.

Final thought?

Focus on that last game, nothing but a premiership will do this year.

We have great sponsors and supporters and without them we wouldnt win games and I would like to thank them.

Shellharbour City Sharks

Coach - Peter Ellis

Would you say it was a slow start to the season or are things going to plan? And what are your reflections on the season to date?

I wouldnt say it was a slow start. We had three draws and a one point loss.

The team have started to control the football and it is turning around for us now. The draws could have been losses.

You lost some experience players at the start of the season, did that interrupt the preparations and roles of key players?

It was but we never make excuses. I think it has shown the depth in all our grades.

With Albion Park certain Minor Premiers, who else will be there for the finals?

I think all sides are capable you just have to be consistent.

What will it take to beat the Eagles?

They are no certainty and Milton are a bogey side for them. They certainly know how to play and its not just one player, they are strong across the Park and play for the full 80 minutes.

Who will you look to come finals time?

Not one player we will look to the whole club and draw on depth from our U18s.

Our bench has been good for us this year and the senior guys will lead the way.

Game breaker?

The boys will look for the inspiration of Club Captain Ryan Schuster and he will lift us.

Final thought?

Keep improving and winning games.

It is a credit to our whole club to come through, we could have thrown in the towel and given up but we are coming through.

Warilla Gorillas

Coach - Michael Hodgson (spMichael Hodgson.jpg)

What was the aim at the start of the season?

The aim was to make the semis then we had a few injuries to key players like Kevin Bridal, and Aaron Henry went to Port Kembla.

Mark Walsh and Dean Allen have really hung in there and Damian Fulsons arrival has helped immensely.

You have a relatively young team, and with the interest from the Old Boys what does the future hold for the Warilla-Lake South Gorillas?

It is unbelievable really the talent in the U18s and U16s. I think the Old Boys is a great step and willa ttract former juniors.

Like they say, you have to hit rock bottom before the cream can rise to the top.

Who is the form team currently in the competition? And a tip for the grand final?

It would have to be Park but Milton to win the grand final.

Final thought?

In our games against Nowra and Kiama we exposed a few weaknesses and am tipping a few upsets for the rest of the year.

Kiama Knights

Coach - Tony Myers

After a good start to the season, youve struggled to put back to back wins together. What are your reflections on the season to date?

We started off with a hiss and a roar and then after the Bay game Marc Laird, Adam Thomas and Ben Nicholls were injured.

We have struggled with consistency and have made no excuses. I am happy with the group and we are developing as a club.

The team has struggled with injury throughout the season, how has the club handled this? And who has stepped up?

Dan Cowling, James Garside, Luke Gilmore and Matt OBrien have all stepped up for us this year.

With Albion Park certain Minor Premiers, who else will be there for the finals?

Hopefully us.

What will it take to beat the Eagles?

They are strong, they just turn up on the day and take it week by week. I am feeling Shellharbour Sharks will be there.

Who will you look to come finals time?

No one individual I am just looking for the team to gel and not rely on the senior guys but to mature, lift when needed and play to their potential.

Game breaker?

Jason Smythe

Final thought?

The club has build good character and it is a pretty tight bunch. There is a good feeling and players are enjoying themselves.