Swans taking flight at right time

Amy Keen on the attack for the Lismore Swans against Sawtell/Toormina. Photo: Green Shoots Marketing

SATURDAY’S win over Sawtell/Toormina was the result of gradual improvement over the past month for the Lismore Swans.

Coach Ken McPherson said his team’s ability to control possession was a major factor in the 26-point win over the Saints.

“Over the last three or four weeks we’ve been controlling the ball well once we’ve got it,” McPherson said.

“Our tackling and one percenters have been good and then when we get it we’re controlling the ball better. I’ve been very impressed leading into the finals.”

Sawtell/Toormina challenged the Swans in what was at times a physical clash but the home side was unable to maintain possession for long enough periods to turn some of their contested ball victories into scoring opportunities. When it did go forward, youngster Lilli-Yann Moody continued to impress with her speed and long left foot.

For the Swans, they had 12 scoring shots to one in the first three quarters with Amy Keen being the best of their goalkickers with two.

Looking toward the finals, the Lismore Swans are a 99.999 per cent chance of finishing in third position but they can always hope that this Saturday Port Macquarie beats Northern Beaches with a scoreline of 143-0 so the Swans can sneak into second position.

“There’s a chance that could happen isn’t there?” the Lismore coach asked with a laugh.

SAWTELL/TOORMINA 0.0 1.0 1.0 2.1 (13)
LISMORE SWANS 1.5 2.6 4.8 5.9 (39)
Goals – Lis: A.Keen 2, K.Parkes, H.Wall, M.Hartley. Saw: L.Moody 2.

THE Coffs Breakers warmed up for the finals with a convincing win over Port Macquarie in their last home and away match of the season.

The reigning premier and ladder leader kicked two goals in each quarter to draw away throughout the contest to a final margin of 52-points.

Breakers coach Brad Giri continued his recent practice of playing some of the women away from their usual positions just to ensure all contingencies are covered during the business end of the season.

One player who stayed in her usual position roaming the forward line was April Devine who finished the day kicking three of the Breakers’ eight goals. Those goals has seen her end the home and away matches with 17 goals in total, tied at the top with Breakers teammate Amy Johanson.

But Giri said goals weren’t easy to come by.

“Port put up a good fight, their defence was really good,” he said.

“We kicked a lot of behinds because of the pressure the Port players were putting on us.”

One goal that was a highlight was that kicked by Port Macquarie’s Olivia Williams in the final term. The acrobatic post-goal celebration from the Magpies’ bench was indeed a sight to behold.

Having finished on top, the Breakers next match is the 2nd Semi Final on August 21 where they will most likely meet Northern Beaches. Giri said that’s when his team will need to click into gear.

“The girls are really happy to win the minor premiership but now our season starts again in three weeks,” he said.

PORT MACQUARIE 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.0 (6)
COFFS BREAKERS 2.5 4.7 6.9 8.10 (58)
Goals – Coffs: A.Devine 3, S.Vidler, E.Rickards, K.Griffith, P.Baptiste, R.Goodenough. Port: O. Williams.

WOMEN’S LADDER

	P	W	D	L	PTS	FOR	AGST	%
Coffs Breakers	10	9	0	1	36	598	88	679.55
Northern Beaches	9	7	0	2	28	408	156	261.54
Lismore Swans	10	7	0	3	28	323	236	136.86
Port Macquarie	9	2	0	7	8	123	269	45.72
Grafton	9	2	0	7	8	142	505	28.12
Sawtell/Toormina	9	1	0	8	4	60	400	15.00

Three goals from April Devine (pictured) has seen her join Amy Johanson at the top of the goalkicking table. File photo: Green Shoots Marketing

LEADING GOALKICKERS

17 Amy Johanson (Coffs Breakers)
17 April Devine (Coffs Breakers)
11 Danielle Watson (Coffs Breakers)
10 Amy Keen (Lismore Swans)
10 Jessica Midavaine (Northern Beaches)
10 Shania King (Northern Beaches)

ROUND 14 – Saturday, August 7

LISMORE SWANS vs NAMBUCCA VALLEY at Oakes Oval, Lismore
(1.00pm – Seniors)
PORT MACQUARIE vs NORTHERN BEACHES at Wayne Richards Park, Port Macquarie
(11.50am – Women; 1.20pm – Reserves; 2.50pm – Seniors)
GRAFTON vs SAWTELL/TOORMINA at Ellem Oval, Grafton
(10.00am – Under-17s; 11.50am – Women; 1.20pm – Reserves; 2.50pm – Seniors)
CASINO LIONS vs COFFS BREAKERS at Queen Elizabeth II Park, Casino
(2.50pm – Seniors)