Edgeworth coach Damian Zane remains wary of Lambton Jaffas' attack despite the loss of Northern NSW NPL leading scorer Braedyn Crowley.
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The second-placed Eagles (16 points) meet Jaffas (15) on Sunday at Jack McLaughlan Oval in round 11 after contrasting fortunes in the FFA Cup midweek.
Edgeworth suffered no injuries in defeating second-tier New Lambton 2-0 on Wednesday night to make the final eight in NNSW, but the Jaffas lost Crowley as they went down 2-1 in extra-time to NPL leaders Broadmeadow on Tuesday night.
Crowley, who has nine goals in eight matches, was sent off in the 80th minute and given a two-match ban for kicking out at Matt Hoole after being fouled.
Zane acknowledged the loss of Crowley but he believed Lambton remained a dangerous line-up with the likes of Luke Remington and Tom Waller in attack.
"I think Braedyn has been well above the league, but I thought the other night when he was off, a few other guys started stepping up," Zane said. "I'm always impressed with Remo and I think Tom Waller is having a good year, so they've still got enough firepower."
The Eagles strike force is at full strength after the return from injury of Oliver Smith and Daniel McBreen, who both scored against New Lambton.
However, the four-time defending premiers are reeling from a 2-1 defeat to Weston last round and the loss of midfielder Dom Bizzarri (knee) for the season. Right-back Sam Maxwell remains out with an ankle injury.
"Maxy's been superb," Zane said. "Someone will do a job there, but he's quick and he matches up well against all the wingers."
Jaffas coach James Pascoe has problems of his own after a five-game winless streak and a battered squad.
Pascoe said Nathan Verity remained sidelined and Remington was in doubt despite getting through the match against Broadmeadow. James Pendrigh is struggling with his foot problem, while Michael Kantarovski and Josh Sutton, who came off the bench against Magic, were not yet ready to start.
Remington's shoulder dislocated when he was felled in a heavy challenge from Kale Bradbery on Tuesday night. The Jaffas camp were angry that the foul attracted only a yellow card, especially given Crowley's straight red and two-game sanction.
Sunday's clash will be the first between the 2017 grand finalists since Edgeworth scored late in regulation and twice at the death in extra-time to win last year's second-leg semi-final.
"To go into it with a group that's not 100 per cent, I'll need to use some young, untried boys, which isn't ideal in a game that has a lot riding on it, but it is what it is," Pascoe said.
Also Sunday at 2.30pm, Maitland (14 points) host the Jets Youth (16), Hamilton (13) welcome Valentine (7), Broadmeadow (20) are away to Charlestown (13) and Weston (16) travel to Lake Macquarie (4).