Early Blitz Gets Port In Form For Finals
Photo: Deb Novak, Grafton Daily Examiner
If Sawtell Toormina and the Coffs Breakers thought it was a 2 horse race for the 2018 premiership, the Port Macquarie Magpies have made a big statement, by defeating the Breakers by 76 points at Wayne Richards Park.
Port started with a flurry, kicking 7 goals to nil in the first quarter, and opened up a 64 point lead by the main break. The Breakers showed fight in the second half, but the damage was done, and Port ran away convincing winners. Fraser Carroll and Brendan Badenoch starred up forward for the Magpies, kicking 4 goals each, with Ed Smith booting 3 and Jesse Schmidt and Samuel Johnson slotting 2. For the visitors, Nicklaus Stanlan-Velt continued his good goalkicking form with 3 majors, while Shaydan Close kicked 2.
Whilst the Breakers had already locked away a top 2 finish, Port’s 6th win of the season will see them enter the finals race full of confidence that they can do some damage from 3rd spot.
Port Macquarie 18.14.122 defeated Coffs Breakers 7.4.46
In the other match, the Sawtell-Toormina Saints tuned up for the finals with a comfortable victory over Grafton at Ellem Oval, and locked in the Minor Premiership for 2018.
The Saints booted 8 goals in each of the 2nd and 3rd quarters, to eventually run out 157 point winners. Best in front of the big sticks were Schwatz, Angel, Napier and Johnson who each kicked 4 majors, while Anderson was the only multiple goalkicker for the Tigers with 2.
Grafton finish the 2018 Season winless, with Sawtell’s win continuing to keep them clear at the top of the table, as this powerhouse of North Coast AFL prepares for another premiership assault.
Sawtell-Toormina 27.17.179 defeated Grafton 4.4.22
In the Women’s match, Port Macquarie held off a spirited Coffs Breakers at Wayne Richard Park. A 3 goals to 1 first quarter from the Breakers gave them the ascendency, and an unlikely sniff at their second victory for the season. This kicked the Port women into gear, and their defence really tightened up, only conceding 4 behinds over the 2nd and 3rd quarters. However, scoring also proved difficult for Port during the 3rd quarter, being held scoreless, and allowing the Breakers to enter the final change with a 4 point lead. The last quarter was telling though, with Port kicking 4 goals to 1, to run out victors by 15 points.
This was a close affair, in blustery conditions, and with each team having 9 scoring shots, it was the accurate kicking from Port which held them in good stead.
Port’s Shaarn Whitehouse was the only multiple goalkicker for the game with 2, with Port’s other goals coming through Cambridge McCormack, Lauren Beasley, Anishah Burns, Clare O’Dwyer and Medan Cooper. For the Breakers, single goals were booted by Katika Adams, Remi Banuelos, Casey Miosge and Lisa Flick.
Port Macquarie 7.2.44 defeated Coffs Breakers 4.5.29
