Semis set scene for terrific finale to challenging season
An outstanding day of Semi Final action sees all places in next week’s Grand Finals locked and loaded, with five clubs having teams representing on the biggest day of the season.
The Coffs Harbour Breakers Senior premiership defence is over after they fell to their local rival, the Sawtell Toormina Saints. For the first time since 2015, the North Coast Senior Grand Final won’t feature the Breakers as their four match winning run ended in a 35 point loss.
The Saints march on to yet another Grand Final with a win that was set up in the second and third quarters. After an even first quarter, the Saints accelerated in the second to control the majority of the play and jump to a 22 point lead at the main break. Despite their dominance, things could have been very different if the Breakers kicking for goal was more accurate with both teams registering eight scoring shots but the Saints superior finishing seeing them outscore their opponents by 15 points.
Two late goals to the Breakers in the second term gave an indication of a possible fight back in the third term, but the Saints managed the last goal of the quarter to slow that momentum. When Sawtell then kicked the opening two goals of the third term the Breakers had a mountain to climb that ultimately proved insurmountable.
Angus Anderson was the star for Sawtell, winning countless possessions in the middle of the ground and using the ball to great effect. He received great support from both Matt Zerna and Jonah Horan, whilst Mitch Napier was a constant threat up front with five goals.
Breakers looked like a team that had played their Grand Final the week before to beat Grafton and secure second spot, and just didn’t have their usual energy or efficiency. Chris Frangos led from the front and never stopped trying, while Josh Lansdowne was his usual reliable self down back then provided good options when he was moved forward later in the match. Kyle Ackroyd provided the Breakers’ chief goal threat with three majors.
Sawtell Toormina Saints 15.11 (101) defeated Coffs Harbour Breakers 9.12 (66)
The Northern Beaches Blues are through to their maiden Women’s Grand Final in just their first year as a stand alone team after they overcame Sawtell Toormina Saints.
The Blues had the advantage in both territory and possession for much of the match, however the final scoreline was a reflection of far greater efficiency inside the forward 50 rather than a dominance in the match that the scoreboard suggests.
Considering the pressure they found themselves under, the Saints defence was resolute for much of the match, re-buffing waves of attack. This was best highlighted in the second quarter when Sawtell held the Blues to just two behinds. The Blues defence was every bit as miserly, however the key difference was Northern Beaches’ ability to get the ball into the forward 50 and create scoring opportunities for their forwards.
Jazlen Hooke was the key beneficiary, scoring three of the Blues six goals. Alana Hanson, Rachel Bennett, and Jess Midavaine were the other contributors with one goal apiece.
Sawtell will start planning for 2021 and will be casting a keen eye towards Port Macquarie to see what happens in Women’s footy down south. Sahara Elfar and Jenni Cooper were two of their better performers on the day and, with both coming from Port, the Saints will be sweating on their availability next season.
Northern Beaches Blues 6.6 (42) defeated Sawtell Toormina Saints 0.0 (1)
In the Under 17 match, Coffs Harbour Breakers saved their best performance until last but couldn’t maintain the intensity to deny the Grafton Tigers a spot in the Grand Final.
The Breakers have endured a challenging season, but weren’t there to make up numbers when they trailed by three at quarter time, then stole a one point lead at half time. Poor kicking for goal by Grafton in the second quarter presented the Breakers with the chance to stay in the contest, but when this was rectified in the third the Tigers got on top in the contest. Grafton upping the ante at this time coincided with the move of Mikey Luxton into the centre from the half back line and his combination with Jye Boehme up front led to much of the Tigers renewed scoring intensity.
Boehme, Harry Anderson, and Ned O’Neill each finished the match with four goals, while Noah Swarski and Kyle Dehnert booted two apiece.
Quenten Close was a constant goal threat for the Breakers until late in the third quarter when he sustained a knock that curtailed his output. He led the way with three goals, with Ryley Koelmeyer and Oscar Mckenzie each adding two.
Grafton Tigers 17.10 (112) defeated Coffs Harbour Breakers 10.8 (68)
Nambucca Valley Lions outstanding return season goes from strength to strength having qualified for the Reserve Grade Grand Final with victory over the Northern Beaches Blues.
The Lions scored consistently throughout the match but were at their most damaging in the second and fourth quarters, kicking four and five goals respectively during these periods. Overall, it was the Lions goal kicking efficiency which caught the eye with just four behinds against thirteen majors. Andrew Welsh was the Lions main avenue to goal, booting six majors. Brad Doolan and Tyrone Kay were the other multiple goal kickers with two goals each.
The Blues battled gamely throughout in what was a tough, physical encounter but found their scoring opportunities dried up after the long break and couldn’t go with Nambucca. Goals were kicked for the Aden Van Ryswyk and David Boucher with one apiece.
Nambucca Valley Lions 13.4 (82) defeated Northern Beaches Blues 2.3 (15)
The Lions Grand Final opponent will be Coffs Harbour Breakers after they claimed a local derby victory over Sawtell Toormina Saints in the other Semi.
After a tight and tense first quarter that the Breakers shaded by three points, they were able to open a two goal lead by the half time siren. From there they were able to kick away against an injury ravaged Saints team that were light on for numbers and having to operate without a bench. Breakers doubled their lead to the last break, then managed a four goal to none final term to round out a comfortable 50 point victory against their near neighbours.
Josh Hunt provided plenty of run for the Breakers, his contribution growing the longer the match went as the Sawtell players tired. Hunt finished with two goals, as did Jacob Hicks and Dean Chambers, whilst Aaron Crolla’s two long bombs thrilled the large crowd.
Sawtell’s goals were kicked by Jedd Mitchell, Hamish Anderson, and Jordan Lark who each had one major to their name.
Coffs Harbour Breakers 11.11 (77) defeated Sawtell Toormina Saints 4.3 (27)