Port stake their claim for Senior title
Port Macquarie Magpies have blown the premiership race wide open with a thrilling win over the Coffs Harbour Breakers that sees the two teams now sitting level on points at the top of the ladder.
Port led all the way but the Breakers were able to stay within one goal until the three quarter time break leaving the match on a knife edge going into the final term. This is the point where the Magpies were finally able to get on top of the tiring and injury depleted Breakers line-up, kicking six goals to two to seal the 24 point win.
Coach Tom Marmo led Port from the front to kick four goals. Fraser Carroll and Kyle Bray each kicked three goals, with Kye Taylor and Hugo Walker adding two goals each.
For the Breakers, Shaydan Close continued his outstanding run of form with four goals. Brodee Hood with three and Ben Gibbeson with two were the only other multiple goal kickers.
Port’s victory sees the teams locked at one head to head win apiece, however the fact that Port’s win was achieved away from home is all the more telling. The next time the two clubs face off will be in Port Macquarie and that will represent a great chance for the Magpies to get the leg up on the Breakers.
Port Macquarie Magpies 17.6 (108) defeated Coffs Harbour Breakers 12.12 (84)
Sawtell Toormina Saints recorded a confidence boosting win over the Grafton Tigers.
Without a victory in 2019 against either of the top two teams, the Saints needed to ensure that they overcame the struggling Tigers to build confidence and momentum, and to maintain some degree of contact on the ladder.
The Tigers produced their best footy of the season in the first quarter to trail by just four points at the first break. Saints fought back strongly in the second to set up the win with a six goals to none term that saw them ahead by 49 points at half time.
A further three goals to the Tigers in the third quarter wasn’t enough to see them go with the Saints seven goals, but it did ensure the Tigers biggest team score of the season in what is a promising sign.
Young Tyler Donovan made a real impact on the match with six goals for the Saints while Malcolm Trotter booted five. Will Christopher added three goals, as did Hamish Bird who was playing his first match of the season and was a sight for sore eyes amongst Saints supporters.
Evan Whitty has shaken off the jet lag from his school excursion to Europe to be the leading light for the Tigers with two goals.
Sawtell Toormina Saints 24.19 (163) defeated Grafton Tigers 6.1 (37)
A report on the round 6 Women’s matches will appear online on Tuesday (28 May).
For full results click here.
