Broken down bus can’t stop Magpies
A COUPLE of hours before the Senior Men’s Grand Final was due to start, you could’ve forgiven Port Macquarie players for thinking their preparation for the big match had been thrown into disarray.
The team bus had broken down on the Pacific Highway near Repton, 10 miles short of the C.ex Coffs International Stadium.
Those anxious moments were quickly forgotten after the final siren though when the Magpies were rewarded for four last quarter goals to overcome the Coffs Breakers in a pressure packed Grand Final.
In a fast contest the Breakers had the better of the early scoring thanks to a series of intercept marks across half back from Riley Dagger and goals to Luke Valdes and Nick Stanlan-Velt.
Port fought back in the second term with Braden Saggers goaling with a clever snap shortly after the resumption before Tom Cargill gave the Magpies the lead deep into the stanza.
The second half was a true arm-wrestle with defences causing plenty of turnovers and clean passages of play like pieces of gold.
Kieren Bellemore goaled for the Breakers followed by Matt Giri but Port responded when Jesse Schmidt kicked his second goal from a tight angle to make the margin just two points the difference at the final break.
Play opened up in the last term and Jamie DuField gave the Magpies the lead early before Jack Murdoch and Ryan Barnett goals extended it to 17 points.
The Breakers responded with an immediate goal to Stanlan-Velt before Oscar McKenzie reduced the margin back to five points with just six minutes remaining.
The final few minutes were frantic until Schmidt again marked on a tight angle with a minute remaining. He soaked up as much time as possible before threading the goal that secured a second premiership in three years for the Magpies.
The Breakers will spend the summer ruing a series of missed set shots that could’ve created some serious scoreboard pressure.
On the other hand Port will laugh when they recall the broken down bus and the mad rush of supporters who left the Stadium to give them a lift to the venue.
Schmidt’s three goals in a low scoring match saw the 36 year-old recognised as the best player on the ground and he was awarded the Woodlock Medal.
MATCH DETAILS
PORT MACQUARIE 1.1 3.6 4.7 8.10 (58)
COFFS BREAKERS 2.4 2.6 4.9 6.11 (47)
Goals – Port: Jesse Schmidt 3, Ryan Barnett, Tom Cargill, Jamie DuField, Jack Murdoch, Braden Saggers. Brk: Nick Stanlan-Velt 2, Kieren Bellemore, Matt Giri, Oscar McKenzie, Luke Valdes.
Woodlock Medal (Best on Ground): Jesse Schmidt – Port Macquarie