Round 3 results are crucial to each team’s season

The 2018 AFL North Coast season may only be in its infancy but round 3 represents an important marker for all four Senior teams.

Port Macquarie Magpies host reigning Premiers Coffs Harbour Breakers in a must win clash for both sides. The Magpies put the disappointment of a first round loss behind them when they dismantled an undermanned Grafton Tigers outfit last week and will be desperate to prove that they can perform against the competition’s heavyweights.

Breakers were stung to lose the local derby on Friday night but know that they regain key players Chris Frangos, McKinlay Pearce, and Jacob Sincock who were all on Swans Reserves duties last weekend. They will be keen to demonstrate their credentials as back to back premiership contenders but know that Port are historically very hard to beat on their own patch.

Meanwhile, Ellem Oval will host its first match of the season when Sawtell Toormina Saints travel north to take on the Grafton Tigers. The Tigers have suffered back to back defeats to be the only team without a win at this early stage and will be looking to build upon the positives of the opening two rounds by turning in a four quarter performance.

Sawtell, on the other hand, have surprised even themselves to be undefeated after two rounds. After an off season of rebuilding and recruiting the Saints expected to find life tough in 2018 but confidence is currently sky high as the players feel they could be building towards something good.

In the Women’s match of the round, Port Magpies and Coffs Breakers will both be looking for their first win of the season to maintain contact with early pacesetter Sawtell.

Port’s first match of the season was in round 1 when they were away from home and under strength. Key player Cambridge McCormack is expected to be available for this match which will improve the Port team immensely, while a number of other players are expected to make their competition bow.

Breakers have the benefit of having played last week which allows them to build continuity. However they do have to contend with the road trip to Port Macquarie which is likely to divest them of a couple of players. How close Breakers are to full strength on the day is the key to this match.

Full details of the round are available by clicking here.