Vital win for Tigers after slow start

Grafton’s Harry Anderson sends a long kick forward for the Tigers in their win against Sawtell/Toormina. Photo: AFL North Coast

ROUND 5 REVIEW: Grafton’s men’s team moved back into the top four after producing a come from behind victory against Sawtell/Toormina in Week One of Indigenous Round.

At quarter time at Richardson Park the Tigers looked long odds of securing a win when they trailed the home team by 25-points after Sawtell/Toormina jumped out of the blocks kicking five goals to one.

Yet half way through the second stanza there was a sense that the tide was turning as Grafton started to find more targets with their disposals, particularly inside the attacking 50.

Having clawed their way back to a 4-point lead at the final change, when the contest was there to be won in the final term it was Grafton who found an extra gear kicking four goals to one.

Mark Blundell kicked three goals for the victors while Charlie Martin was the leading goal kicker for the Saints with three goals of his own.

The women’s match saw the Saints kick away in the third quarter to record a victory that keeps them in touch with the top four.

In the third term the Saints dominated territory to kick 3.6 to nil with Bec Minichilli the main beneficiary in front of goal kicking two majors.

RESULTS – SAWTELL/TOORMINA vs. GRAFTON

Under 18s: Sawtell/Toormina 20.8 (128) def Port Macquarie 1.4 (10)

Women: Sawtell/Toormina 7.11 (53) def Grafton 2.2 (14)

Reserves: Grafton 10.16 (76) def Sawtell/Toormina 4.2 (26)

Men: Grafton 12.6 (78) def Sawtell/Toormina 8.8 (56)

Reigning women’s premier Northern Beaches continued their winning ways with an impressive 40-point win over Port Macquarie.

The Blues jumped out of the blocks to open up an 18-point lead by quarter time.

Port Macquarie was playing its first match in three weeks and displayed early signs of rust and managed to create more of a contest the longer the encounter went but were unable to match it with the Blues who were able to connect longer chains of possession.

The men’s match saw Port run right away from Northern Beaches with a 10 goal to one final term but for the Blues, their final score of 6.12 is their highest of the year so far and shows that the large number of younger players in the team are improving under the watchful eye of Adi Campbell.

It was another young player who impressed with 17 year-old Tom Ryan kicking seven goals for the victors while Jesse Schmidt booted eight.

RESULTS – NORTHERN BEACHES vs. PORT MACQUARIE

Women: Northern Beaches 5.10 (40) def Port Macquarie 0.0 (0)

Men: Port Macquarie 31.13 (199) def Northern Beaches 6.12 (48)

After an even first quarter, it was the Byron Bay Magpies who pulled away in the top of the table clash against the Coffs Breakers.

Blayne Hull continued his hot streak of form with six goals to take his tally to 22 over the past four weeks.

Byron’s women made it two wins for the day for the Magpies.

The home team kicked four goals to one across the second and third terms with Byron able to capitalise on their forward 50 entries better than the Breakers.

Lilli Hutchings kicked three goals for the Magpies.

RESULTS – BYRON BAY MAGPIES vs. COFFS BREAKERS

Women: Byron Magpies 7.3 (45) def Coffs Breakers 3.4 (22)

Byron Magpies 14.17 (101) def Coffs Breakers 5.8 (38)

ROUND 6 – Saturday, May 27

PORT MACQUARIE vs. SAWTELL/TOORMINA at Wayne Richards Park, Port Macquarie

(10am – Under 18s, 11.50am – Women, 1.20pm – Reserves, 2.50pm – Men)

COFFS BREAKERS vs. NORTHERN BEACHES at Fitzroy Oval, Coffs Harbour

(12.20pm – Women, 1.50pm – Men)

GRAFTON vs. BYRON BAY MAGPIES at Ellem Oval, Grafton

(12.50pm – Women, 2.20pm – Men)

GRAFTON v NAMBUCCA VALLEY at Ellem Oval, Grafton

(11.20am- Reserves)