Breakers Claim First Senior Crown

Coffs Breakers are the toast of the AFL North Coast competition, having won the Senior Premiership for the first time in the club’s brief history.

The Breakers did it in style over arch rivals Sawtell Toormina Saints to erase the disappointment of last year’s loss to the same opponents.

The win came off the back of impressive performances by the team’s youngsters which bodes well for sustained glory in coming years. Jacob Sincock played the game of his life in the ruck, regularly giving first service to fellow young gun Luke Symons and Luke Valdes. Teenagers Harry Parker and Aiden Wallace were dominant on the wings, using their pace to full advantage to create plenty of scoring opportunities for the forward line, whilst fellow teenager Ben Gibbeson dominated across the half back line.

Up front it was Royce Close with three goals, Brett Vella and Fraser Duryea with two goals apiece providing great support to Luke Valdes who led the way with four majors.

In last season’s Grand Final the Breakers were off the pace so the big question was how they would perform this season. Any lingering doubts were dispelled early when Fraser Duryea slotted the first goal, his celebration showing that Breakers knew how important that moment was and that they were up for the challenge.

Breakers accelerated from there to produce a five goal opening term against two from the Saints. Sawtell battled hard but were never able to reduce the lead below 14 points, at which stage Breakers had the ability to ease away again.

Going in to the last quarter Breakers held a handy 23 point lead and the first goal was crucial. Luke Valdes duly provided it and the large Breakers crowd were on their feet. By this stage there was nothing that the Saints could do to reel the lead back in despite the best efforts of Luke Matthews, Hamish Bird and Leif Stuart. Breakers sealed a 41 point win with a four goal to 1 final term to send the crown into raptures.

Harry Parker was rewarded for an outstanding performance with the Woodlock Medal for Best on Ground.

Saints had no answer to the leg speed and silky passing of the Breakers who could be on the verge of creating their own dynasty if they can keep the core of their young brigade together. Saints need to regenerate their list if they are to remain competitive in coming seasons, adding more run to their uncompromising inside play.

Coffs Breakers 15.10.100 defeated Sawtell Toormina Saints 7.11.59