Waratah sees wave of opportunity

THEIR reputations as beachside suburbs might have preceded them, but for NTFL rivals Waratah and Nightcliff the latest edition of Territory football’s Battle of the Beaches could not have come at a better time.

Today’s clash at Gardens Oval could decide the season’s fortunes for Waratah, which must win to keep a chasing pack including St Mary’s, Wanderers and Tiwi Bombers at arm’s length.

Waratah is on the cusp of its first finals appearance since 2014, while Nightcliff is set to play a significant role in the race that will decide the 2017-18 premiers.

Tahs boss Michael McLean has a simple but effective philosophy for his players as they search for a winning formula. An agonising loss to Southern Districts last week when they failed to score in the last quarter disguised the fact that Waratah led at three quarter-time and could easily have beaten the flag favourites for a second time this season.

“We need to win games of footy to make the finals, so we’ve got to find a way to make this game a contest and hopefully get into a situation like the Districts game where we can try and win,’’ McLean said.

“Unfortunately we were on the other end of it when Districts ran over us, but it was a tough game of footy and one where we showed we can mix it with the top sides.

“I hope we can put in another enormous effort and the result will fall our way this time.’’ Doubts on the fitness of former Melbourne Demon Michael Newton, who impressed with a five-goal haul against the well organised Districts defence, will keep the Tahs brains trust busy until kickoff time.

Nightcliff gets key forward Julian Lockwood back, while goalkickers Luke Clarke and Matt Bricknell have also been named.

Tigers coach Chris Baksh is wary of a Tahs side full of intensity and intent with finals football on the line.

“We’ve got a different side this week, though I reckon we’re a better team when Julian Lockwood comes in and we’ve brought Tony Gibson, Luke Clarke and Matt Bricknell back to give our rucks and forwards a bit more depth.’’ FB HB C

CHF FF J Smart J Beugelaar J Wray M Valastro K Kantilla Foll Z Westerberg