Reserves flag caps incredible comeback year for Blues

 

Northern Beaches Blues completed a miraculous rise from obscurity to take out the Reserve Grade title with victory over Coffs Harbour Breakers.

This time last year the Northern Beaches Senior club didn’t exist. A huge off season of forming a club, recruiting players, appointing coaches, finding sponsors, buying training and playing gear, and putting teams on the park has been capped in the best possible way with premiership glory.

With no more than points separating the teams throughout the match it was destined for a cliff hanger finish, and duly delivered.

Breakers started the better and led by seven points at quarter time after holding the Blues goalless. However tables were turned in the second half as the Blues found their kicking boots whilst turning the screws on the Breakers at the other end to lead by six points at half time.

Northern Beaches extended this lead to 10 points at the last change with a two goal to one third quarter and it looked as though the tide had turned in their favour.

The teams exchanged goals early in the last quarter before the nerves started to kick in for the Blues. At this stage Breakers grabbed the advantage in play and set siege upon the Northern Beaches goal. With only a matter of minutes left on the clock the margin was down to one goal. Breakers marked to have a set shot from in front and it appeared that extra time was imminent but the shot sailed through for just a behind.

There was to be no further scoring from that point and the Blues breathed a collective sigh of relief as the final siren sounded.

Marcus Davey from the Blues was awarded the Best on Ground Medal by Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack.

Lindsay Morrison was the only multiple goal kicker in the match with two. Jimmy Angel, Glen Golsby-Smith, and Marcus Davey added the other goals for Northern Beaches.

For Breakers, Rowan Osland, Gabe Ellicott, Brodee Hood, and Jay Guthrie each kicked one goal to come up one short.

Northern Beaches Blues 5.7 (35) defeated Coffs Harbour Breakers 4.8 (32)

The inclusion of the Blues has been a real bonus for the competition. It is hoped that this success can lead them to further expansion in the very near future that may even result in a Senior team in 2020. Congratulations to the club for what they have added to both the Men’s and Women’s competitions.

Breakers have finished one match short of a clean sweep of the three men’s grades which is a fantastic achievement. Credit to the club for performing so well this season, which also included a Minor Premiership for the Women’s team.