Saints strike early to set up success

Sawtell/Toormina's Jai Bowd was awarded the Nathan. Harris Medal for being the best player on the ground in the Under 18s Grand Final.

Sawtell/Toormina’s Under 18s team was the toast of the town after claiming the premiership with a 46-point win over the Coffs Breakers in the Grand Final.

The Saints set up an early advantage that their opponents couldn’t overcome. The Sawtell team kicked four goals to one in the opening term to hold a 20 point lead at the first break.

The next half hour of footy was neck and neck but try as hard as the Breakers did, they couldn’t eat into the early lead and two quick goals from the Saints late in the third quarter saw Sawtell/Toormina start the last stanza with a healthy 29-point advantage.

With Charlie Martin (five goals) and Sunny Perrot (four) causing damage up front and Jai Bowd collecting possessions across half back and through the midfield, the Saints didn’t let up in the final quarter kicking four goals to one to run out convincing winners.

GRAND FINAL DETAILS

Sawtell/Toormina 4.2 7.3 10.5 14.6 (90)

Coffs Breakers  1.0  4.0  6.0  7.2 (44)

Goals – Saw: Charlie Martin 5, Sunny Perrot 4, Darcy Brown 3, Euan Hill, Charlie Rutherford-Searle. Coffs: Oscar McKenzie 2, Riley Dagger, Campbell Forster, Beau Guthrie, Max Morgan, Will Nulty.

Nathan Harris Medal (Best on Ground): Jai Bowd (Sawtell/Toormina)

CluchTV Replay – https://cluch.tv/afl-sports/afl-nsw-act/north-coast-seniors/2023/452320/