Breakers clean sweep of local derbies

Coffs Breakers captain Tyrone Jones fires out a handless against Sawtell/Toormina. Photo: Brad Greenshields

ROUND 1 REVIEW: The Coffs Breakers started the 2023 season with four wins from four matches against local rival Sawtell/Toormina.

The Saints produced a memorable Anzac Round ceremony and event but it was the Breakers who proved stronger.

The closest the Saints came to a win was in the women’s match where a titanic battle of defences saw neither side kick a goal until late in the final term.

It was Nat Giri from the Breakers who kicked the goal that decided the eventual winner.

In the men’s match the Breakers led by 20 points at the final change with Riley Dagger’s two goals proving vital.

The Saints had the breeze in the last term and forced the Coffs defence to work hard but in the slippery conditions the home team was unable to place any scoreboard pressure on their opponent.

RESULTS – SAWTELL/TOORMINA vs. COFFS BREAKERS

Under 18s – Coffs Breakers 8.8 (56) def Sawtell/Toormina 5.1 (31)

Women – Coffs Breakers 1.6 (12) def Sawtell/Toormina 0.4 (4)

Reserves – Coffs Breakers 14.6 (90) def Sawtell/Toormina 5.3 (33)

Men – Coffs Breakers 7.11 (53) def Sawtell/Toormina 3.9 (27)

Reigning men’s premier Port Macquarie started its title defence in strong fashion, recording an 81-point victory over Grafton.

The Magpies led by just a goal at quarter time but piled on six goals to one in the second term to take a 36-point lead into the main break.

The most damage on the scoreboard was created by Tom Dickson who kicked six goals, while Tom Marmo who’s returned to the club from Darwin booted three.

In news that surprised many, co-coach Braden Saggers announced that Saturday’s match would be his last for the Magpies. He was dangerous forward of centre and finished with four goals himself.

RESULTS – PORT MACQUARIE vs. GRAFTON

Women – Port Macquarie 11.16 (82) def Grafton 1.5 (11)

Reserves – Port Macquarie 17.8 (110) def Grafton 3.3 (21)

Men – Port Macquarie 19.10 (124) def Grafton 6.7 (43)

It was one win and one loss for the Byron Bay Magpies in their AFL North Coast debut.

With the aid of a strong southerly breeze, Byron jumped out of the blocks in the men’s match and led by 62-points at quarter time.

Northern Beaches is rebuilding and has put its faith this year in a lot of younger players who improved enormously once they settled down after the initial onslaught in particular 17 year-old Billy Hoppe.

The women’s match saw reigning premier Northern Beaches flex its muscle and show that the Blues women will again be hard to beat in 2023.

RESULTS – NORTHERN BEACHES vs. BYRON BAY MAGPIES

Women – Northern Beaches 11.7 (73) def Byron Bay Magpies 1.1 (7)

Men: Byron Bay Magpies 15.29 (119) def Northern Beaches 1.0 (6)

NEXT WEEK

ROUND 2 – Saturday, April 29

COFFS BREAKERS v PORT MACQUARIE at Fitzroy Oval, Coffs Harbour

(10.00am – Under 18s, 11.50am – Women, 1.20pm – Reserves, 2.50pm – Men)

GRAFTON v NORTHERN BEACHES at Ellem Oval, Grafton

(12.50pm – Women, 2.20pm – Men)

BYRON BAY MAGPIES v SAWTELL/TOORMINA at Cavanbah Centre, Byron Bay

(1.00pm – Women, 2.30pm – Men)

NAMBUCCA VALLEY v SAWTELL/TOORMINA at E J Biffin Playing Fields, Nambucca Heads

(1.20pm – Reserves)