Breakers show they’re still the team to beat

Coffs Breakers leading goalkicker Amy Johanson gets away from some chasing Northern Beaches Blues opponents. Photo: Green Shoots Marketing

ANY thoughts reigning premier the Coffs Breakers would be an easier egg to crack in 2021 have quickly been laid to rest.

Playing in a replay of last year’s grand final against the Northern Beaches Blues, the Breakers put their foot down to win with authority and show they’re still the team to beat.

The Breakers got the early jump in the slippery conditions and Northern Beaches were unable to find a way to get the ball past the Coffs defenders.

Breakers captain Amanda Guthrie said the fact they had more players on the bench to call on than the opposition was helpful.

“They (Northern Beaches) were light on for numbers and it was a warm day

“It was a luxury that we won’t have next time against them.”

Another major factor behind the Breakers win was the form of small forward Amy Johanson. Having kicked three goals in the opening round, Johanson followed that effort up with another four against the Blues.

Guthrie said the goal sneak continues to get better.

“Her movement is the thing that’s working for her,” she said.

“Amy is up in confidence and there’s no stopping her at the moment.”

For the Blues Alana Hanson was strong across half back but coach Adrian Roberts said he was disappointed with the loss but proud of the way his girls continued try their hardest.

“The team we had was a couple of players short of our best but we still need to implement our style of football. The Breakers don’t always let you do that because they’re a well drilled team,” Roberts said.

“In patches we did the things we’ve been working on.

“So some good glimpses were there but you’ve got to try and play like that for four quarters.”

Coffs Breakers 10.3 (63) def Northern Blues 1.1 (7)

THE Lismore Swans were thrilled to be victors in their first AFL North Coast match.

In a low scoring match against Port Macquarie who was playing its first match in the women’s competition since it won the 2019 premiership, the Swans set up the win with a dominant second quarter.

Goals to Katelin Parkes and Georgina Morris in that term while keeping the Magpies scoreless set up a 17-point lead at the main break.

Goals were hard to come by in the second half as both sides fatigued. it wasn’t until Ella Heeney kicked a major for the ‘Pies in the final term that the drought was broken.

Lismore Swans 2.9 (21) def Port Macquarie 1.1 (7)

Goals – Swans: K.Parkes, G.Morris. Port: E.Heeney.

Best – Swans: K.Schafer, H.Wall, L.Hutchings, K.Stevenson, S.Phillips, S.Pittman. Port: S.Elfar, R.Beeton, A.Kirkby, F.Bagley.

NEXT WEEK – ROUND 3 – Saturday, May 8
GRAFTON vs LISMORE SWANS at Ellem Oval, Grafton
(Under-17s – 10am (Graf vs Breakers); Women – 1.20pm; Seniors – 2.50pm)
NORTHERN BEACHES vs SAWTELL/TOORMINA at Centennial Oval, Woolgoolga
(Women – 11.50am; Reserves – 1.20pm; Seniors – 2.50pm)
CASINO LIONS vs PORT MACQUARIE at Queen Elizabeth Park, Casino
(Seniors – 2.50pm)
COFFS BREAKERS vs NAMBUCCA VALLEY at Fitzroy Oval, Coffs Harbour
(Seniors – 2.50pm)