Breakers and Port renew rivalries in Semis

The Senior grade title race is on again in earnest following Port Macquarie Magpies victory over Coffs Harbour Breakers in the last round of the regular season. These two teams face off again for the second time in a week in the Qualifying Semi Final as a place in the Grand Final goes on the line.

Port will be buoyed by last week’s win and will take renewed confidence into their Finals campaign. They know that the task gets harder this week, not only because of the pressure that goes with Finals footy, but also because they have to reproduce last week’s effort away from home. The Magpies have traditionally played well at C.ex Coffs International Stadium and will be happy to get onto the wide expanses and move the ball around.

The Breakers have had a stellar campaign in 2019 and had only lost one match this season prior to last week. They were disappointed to see their eight match winning streak come to an end but know that everything starts afresh once Finals get underway. The last time that Breakers were at the Stadium they had to deal with the disappointment of losing a Grand Final and will be keen to atone for that in this year’s Finals Series.

The ledger stands at three wins to Breakers, two to Port Macquarie, with each having won away from home, so this match could go either way.

The Women’s match also pits Coffs Harbour Breakers against Port Macquarie Magpies in a replay of last week’s encounter.

Breakers have undergone a miraculous transformation. After winning only one match in the entire 2018 season they find themselves as Minor Premiers and favourites to win the flag. They have dropped only two matches throughout the season, and have won four of the five encounters against Port.

The Magpies are in the midst of a lean patch which has seen them win only one of their last four contests. They know there is no time to work through this now, and that all players need to stand up and be counted. If Port can get back to the style of footy they were playing earlier in the season they can be a genuine threat.

A fundraiser will be conducted over the course of the Finals Series where donations will go to drought affected farmers in the North West of the state. AFL North Coast has a long association with AFL North West NSW and any help we can give to a region that is gripped by the worst drought in generations will be greatly appreciated. Please look for donations tins at the ticket box, cafe, canteen, and bar and give whatever you can manage.

A preview of the Reserve Grade and Under 17 matches will appear online on Friday (23 August).

Qualifying Semi Finals – Saturday 24 August

10:00am             Under 17 – Sawtell Toormina Saints v Coffs Harbour Breakers

11:50am             Women’s – Coffs Harbour Breakers v Port Macquarie Magpies

1:20pm               Reserves – Northern Beaches Blues v Coffs Harbour Breakers

2:50pm               Seniors – Coffs Harbour Breakers v Port Macquarie Magpies