Very Different Wins for Leading Contenders

Photo: Brad Greenshields, Coffs Coast Advocate

Round 14 of the AFL North Coast competition saw the expected wins for both Coffs Breakers and Sawtell Toormina Saints, but the style of these two wins were polar opposites.

Breakers got the percentage boosting win they were looking for with a 137 point victory against the Grafton Tigers. This sees the Breakers hold a very handy 30 percentage point advantage over Sawtell meaning that it’s now unlikely that Breakers can be beaten to the minor premiership irrespective of the result of next Saturday’s clash between the two teams.

For Breakers, the win was never in doubt once the match had started, with the home team holding a 4 goal lead at the first break which extended to 9 goals by half time. Breakers experimented by changing the line-up around but it didn’t matter who played in what position, there was no reprieve for the Tigers. Breakers had 13 individual goal kickers that contributed to the overall tally of 22 majors, but it was the midfielders who were the stars of the show with Chris Frangos, Jacob Sincock, and Luke Symons who laid the platform for the forwards to take full advantage.

Major contributors to the scoreline were Josh Hunt, Brett Vella, and Luke Symons with three apiece, whilst Jacob Sincock, Nick Stanlan-Velt, and Chris Frangos each added 2 goals. Such was the Breakers dominance that even the evergreen Tim Heather managed to sneak a goal.

Rhys McDonald carried his representative form into this game and booted the only two goals of the game for the Tigers. Fellow rep players Sam Hardes, Ethan Olsen, and Luke Stanford also showed their class in a sure sign that Grafton’s main downfall is a lack of depth.

Coffs Breakers 22.19.151 defeated Grafton Tigers 2.2.14

In a much tighter contest, Sawtell were pushed all the way by Port Macquarie Magpies who stormed home in the last quarter to provide a thrilling finish.

The undermanned Saints held a 14 point lead at half time and a 19 point lead at the last break and seemed to be in control of the match. However, the Magpies really lifted in the last quarter and applied the pressure to the reigning premiers, playing their best footy of the match. Sawtell showed signs that they were flagging and the match became a nailbiter.

Despite losing the last quarter by 4 goals to 2,  Sawtell managed to do just enough to hang on for the win. As is always the case, the Saints were well led by Luke Matthews who won the hard ball all day. Dan Pritchard kicked 4 goals to lead the scoring, while the returning Mark Couzens kicked the goal in the last term that proved to be the sealer.

Port’s fightback was led by Scott Dalton and Dylan Beasley who provided the drive and effort that Port’s charge was built upon. Shaun Guthrie kicked 3 goals for the home team but the Magpies lacked the impact of having another multiple goal kicker that may have got them across the line.

The Saints will be mightily relived to claim the 5 point win and will know that they need to do better next week against Breakers. They will be hoping for the return of more troops from injury and will also know that a game in Coffs Harbour means no travel and more players available.

Port will be disappointed to have gone agonisingly close in what has been a frustrating season. Better kicking for goal would have seen a different result as the Magpies managed 5 more scoring shots than Sawtell who claimed the win off the back of very impressive finishing from limited opportunities.

The Magpies have shown that with both of their remaining games at home they can build the form that will allow them to mount a serious challenge in the Finals Series. The main concern out of the game for Port was a concussion to Jesse Schmidt who will be in doubt for next week’s match with Grafton.

Sawtell Toormina Saints 10.4.64 defeated Port Macquarie Magpies 8.11.59

Next week sees Grafton making the long road trip to play Port Macquarie, whilst Coffs Breakers and Sawtell Toormina Saints will play the last derby of the home and away season. This round is a preview to the Semi Finals and will provide an excellent insight into how the latter stages of the Finals Series are likely to pan out.

Also on the card for next week is the first Women’s AFL match in Port Macquarie. Following on from the overwhelming response received across the region, a North Coast Women’s team will take on the travelling Tamworth Kangaroos in a ‘friendly’ match that aims to sow the seeds that will see the formation of a Port Macquarie Magpies Women’s team in 2018. The match is at Wayne Richards Park at 1:30pm and is open to any woman (16 years or older) that is interested. For more information please contact the AFL Northern NSW office on 6659 6000.