Premiers Wollongong Bulldogs can expect their biggest test of the season in Saturday’s AFL South Coast Seniors grand final re-match against Northern Districts at West Street Oval.
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Wet weather on Friday forced the match to be moved from Keira Oval to Nowra’s home ground, with Nowra having the round six bye.
Late yesterday, the Shellharbour Suns’ home game against Wollongong Lions was also transferred from Jock Brown Oval to Kully Bay Oval.
The Bulldogs are coming off a tough four goal away win over Kiama Power in their first match for a month.
Bulldogs coach Lee Murray was relieved to just get back on the field after washouts, the bye and no play on Anzac Day combined for a 30 day break since their win over Kiama in their only other game since round two.
All seven division one clubs have had a stop-start beginning to the season, but Northern Districts at least have now had two games back-to-back after tight wins over Nowra and Bomaderry.
Norths’ relentless pressure and a superb display by the back six was the difference in the 17-point win over Bomaderry.
Norths couldn’t match the ferocity of the Bulldogs in last seaosn’s grand final as the Dogs went to claim a third straight premiership.
But the Tigers have closed the gap between themselves and the top sides in the past two season and look a genuine premiership threat to the Bulldogs and the in-form Wollongong Lions.
Meanwhile, in Saturday’s other round six games, Shellharbour will get a measure of their improvement this season against the in-form Lions.
Shellharbour beat Bomaderry in a thriller in round four before a tight 16 point loss to Nowra last Saturday.
Finally, Bomaderry and Kiama will be desperate in their clash at Artie Smith Oval.
Both teams are not playing poorly but the Tigers have lost two of their three games, while Kiama are the only winless side following three losses to start the season.
Ladder: Wollongong Bulldogs 6, Wollongong Lions 6; Northern Districts 4, Nowra 4, Bomaderry 4, Shellharbour 4; Kiama 0.