“On this day in September” – 13 September

This date has previously hosted two Senior Grand Finals that were of huge significance to the South Coffs and Sawtell Toormina clubs. It’s also a date where the Grafton Tigers continued a run of dominance in the Best & Fairest count in the early days of the League.

1986 SENIOR GRAND FINALS
This was the last of the Grand Finals played at England’s Park, which was the home to the GF for the first five year’s of the competition’s existence. The South Coffs club claimed its second Senior Premiership whilst completing a clean sweep of the three flags.
Seniors: South Coffs 12.12 (84) def Woolgoolga 11.12 (78)
Reserves: South Coffs win their fourth straight Reserve Grade title.
Under 18: Competition resumed after a one year hiatus, South Coffs picked up where they left off to win their third straight age group flag.

1987 SENIOR PRESENTATION NIGHT
Darryl Isaacs becomes the third Grafton Tiger to earn the Best & Fairest Medal in just four years (after Steve Smith in 1984 and Anthony Cummings in 1985).

1997 SENIOR GRAND FINALS
Sawtell Toormina Saints win their first Senior Premiership, setting them on the path to what will eventually become the League record of 10 flags.
Seniors: Sawtell Toormina Saints 11.11 (77) def Woolgoolga Blues 10.7 (67)
Reserves: The competition resumed after a one year break and the Sawtell Toormina Saints claimed their first Reserve Grade title.
No Under 18 competition played in 1997.

To see more details of the AFL North Coast timeline over the past 40 seasons and beyond, please click here.