It’s all on the line for Reserves and Under 17

Photo: Dean Kirby

 

Northern Beaches Blues will be hoping to complete a fairy tale first season back in the North Coast competition when they take on Coffs Harbour Breakers in Reserve Grade.

The former local powerhouse club had been in recess for 13 years before being brought back to life this season, and the team has exceeded expectations with a Grand Final appearance. Now that they find themselves in the season decider President Zac Edwards and coach Danniel Johnson will be looking to finish off in style to provide a launching pad for the next phase of growth on the Northern Beaches.

There is a healthy rivalry with Coffs Harbour Breakers, with a significant number of Blues players having worn the teal of the Coffs club as recently as last season. This is the only male grade in the Senior Competition that the Breakers club is yet to win in its brief history and coach Ben Watson will want to complete the set in his first year at the helm.

The Under 17 match between Sawtell Toormina Saints and Coffs Harbour Breakers is a showcase of the future of the local game. Both teams have a significant number of players that have played regular Senior footy this year and this match should be a free flowing, fast paced encounter.

Despite all of their successes at the Senior level, Sawtell hasn’t won an underage competition since 2010. The majority of this crop of players claimed last year’s Under 15 title and the experience that players such as Angus Anderson, Tyler Donovan, Alex Pyke, Jonah Horan, Mal Troutman, and Ronan Singleton have had in the top grade will stand them in excellent stead.

Breakers are well led from the front by Hayden Proctor and have quality options up front in Franklin Antonysamburuma and Aden Van Ryswyk that are capable of testing any defence. The club has appeared in the last four Grand Finals of the underage competition and will be keen to round off a great season with a third flag in this time.

Senior Grand Finals – Saturday 7 September, C.ex Coffs International Stadium

9:30am               Under 17 – Sawtell Toormina Saints v Coffs Harbour Breakers

11:40am              Women – Port Macquarie Magpies v Sawtell Toormina Saints

1:30pm                Reserves – Northern Beaches Blues v Coffs Harbour Breakers

4:00pm               Seniors – Coffs Harbour Breakers v Port Macquarie Magpies