Grand Final day provides an unbelievable spectacle!
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack kicking a ball into the crowd as part of the opening of the Stadium. Photo: Dean Kirby
What an incredible day! The Grand Finals of the AFL North Coast Senior Competition provided a fitting finale to the best season in recent memory and proved to be a fantastic advertisement for footy in our region.
Coffs Harbour City Council chose to tap into Grand Final day to host the official opening of C.ex Coffs International Stadium. This meant that action on the field was avidly watched by Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, Mayor Denise Knight, Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan, and a number of other local dignitaries and prominent members of the business community. Michael McCormack, who hails from Wagga Wagga and is a passionate Hawthorn fan, was particularly impressed and couldn’t wait to get a Sherrin in his hands!
The Stadium opening featured the delivery of the Senior grade match ball by Life Member Jim Woodlock who arrived in the centre of the oval by helicopter. The ground was declared open as Michael McCormack, Denise Knight, and Pat Conaghan each booted a commemorative Sherrin into the huge crowd.
Jim Woodlock arrives with the match ball.
Highlights on the ground included two matches that were decided by less than a goal, a third that provided an upset result, and a gripping, high quality Senior Grand Final.
Outside of the matches there were two new Life Members inducted together with five highly valued and eminently worthy volunteers recognised. This took place in front of a record Grand Final crowd (1,228), ensuring that there was an attendance record established at each round of the Finals Series. Our people are clearly loving the phenomenal facilities at the International Stadium!
This caps a season that saw the introduction of a new club for the first time in a number of years, a fourth Women’s team join the competition, and the highest number of registered players in many years. Thanks to everyone involved with the Senior Competition for a fantastic year of local footy.
With the ongoing growth of footy at the Junior levels, the future is extremely bright for our code. Bring on season 2020!
Stay tuned to the website for Grand Final match reports in the coming days (Seniors today, Women’s and Under 17 on Tuesday, Reserves on Wednesday).
