Tigers travel to tackle titleists
ROUND 1 PREVIEW: Grafton has been smarting for almost eight months since its Preliminary Final loss to Port Macquarie.
In Saturday’s Anzac Round season opener, the Tigers will have the chance to exact some revenge at Wayne Richards Park.
Waiting for them will be a reigning premier choc full of confidence.
At Woolgoolga it’s all about what’s new when Northern Beaches opens the season at home against Byron Bay.
For the home team it will be the first time that the Blues will be able to host home games at the new Wiigulga Sports Complex.
For the away team it will be the first time the Byron Magpies will be playing as a member of the AFL North Coast.
Byron’s men are returning to football after not playing in 2022 while Northern Beaches will be running out with a young team that will try to make up for its lack of experience with unbridled enthusiasm.
Another interesting aspect at Wiigulga will be that Saturday provides a rare season opener where two reigning premiers face off against each other.
Last year Byron’s women claimed the QFAW Division 2 South crown while the Blues won a memorable AFL North Coast grand final in wet conditions.
Anzac Round will see the traditional clash between local rivals Sawtell/Toormina and Coffs Breakers.
The big day at Richardson Park will see four matches being played.
The rivalry will no doubt ensure bragging rights at the end of the day will be hard won.
ROUND 1 – Saturday, April 22
NORTHERN BEACHES vs BYRON BAY at Wiigulga Sports Complex, Woolgoolga
(1.00pm – Women; 2.30pm – Seniors)
SAWTELL/TOORMINA vs COFFS BREAKERS at Richardson Park, Sawtell
(10.00am – Under-17s; 11.50am – Women; 1.20pm – Reserves; 2.50pm – Seniors)
PORT MACQUARIE vs GRAFTON at Wayne Richards Park, Port Macquarie
(11.20am – Women; 12.50pm – Reserves; 2.20pm – Seniors)
NEXT WEEK
ROUND 2 – Saturday, April 29
GRAFTON vs NORTHERN BEACHES at Ellem Oval, Grafton
(12.50pm – Women; 2.20pm – Seniors)
BYRON BAY vs SAWTELL/TOORMINA at Cavanbah Centre, Byron Bay
(1.00pm – Women; 2.30pm – Seniors)
COFFS BREAKERS vs PORT MACQUARIE at Fitzroy Oval, Coffs Harbour
(10.00am – Under-17s; 11.50am – Women; 1.20pm – Reserves; 2.50pm – Seniors)
