Senior Competition is ready to launch

The AFL North Coast Senior Competition gets underway on Saturday (21 April) and is shaping as one of the most open competitions in years.

Each of the four clubs have new coaches at the helm and have experienced significant player turn-over, leaving everyone eagerly awaiting round one to try and get a gauge on form lines.

Adding to the excitement is the introduction of the Women’s competition where Port Macquarie Magpies, Sawtell Toormina Saints, and Coffs Harbour Breakers will go head to head for the Linnett Perpetual Cup.

In the Senior competition, Coffs Breakers find themselves in the unusual position of being the hunted, entering the season as reigning Premier. Former coach Nic von Schill has returned to Tasmania, taking 2016 Best & Fairest winner Fraser Duryea with him, so Kevin Wilson has stepped up from the assistant’s position to take charge. His job has been made harder by the loss of premiership players Mackinlay Pearce, Luke Symons, and Liam Paige but numbers at pre-season training have been good and they enter the season as favourites for the flag.

Sawtell Toormina’s period of extended dominance of the competition could well be drawing to a close. The loss of 14 players from last season’s losing Grand Final team would be hard for any club  to replace, but when the retirements include players such as Mark Couzens and Luke Matthews who have won five League Best & Fairest medals between them, there are huge boots to fill. First time coach Brandt Lee takes over the clipboard and will be looking to shape a new team into a competitive outfit in a very short space of time.

Port Macquarie Magpies have placed their coaching faith in Russell Dawson who has joined the club from North Wangaratta in 2018. The Magpies have experienced a lean couple of years but started to rebuild last season and will be looking to continue that process. They will be boosted by the return of a Reserve Grade team which will add much needed depth to the club’s list, a factor that was sadly missing last season. Most of the club’s key players and leadership group return in 2018, with Scott Dalton being the key omission following his return to Brisbane.

Grafton Tigers have Chris Curthoys calling the shots this season, having taken over the role from Luke Stanford. In good news for the Tigers, Stanford will be pulling the boots on again meaning they have a guaranteed ball winner in the side. Pat Curtain had a question mark next to his name for much of the off-season but has recently been sighted at training and will be raring to go in round one.  Many of last season’s Premiership winning Under 18 team will be stepping up to the Seniors on a full time basis and could hold the key to the Tigers having a more successful season.

In round one matches, Coffs Breakers host the Grafton Tigers and will be unfurling the 2017 Premiership Flag as part of the return to the re-developed Fitzroy Oval, whilst Sawtell Toormina Saints are at home to the Port Macquarie Magpies. This second fixture means that Sawtell Toormina has the honour of hosting the first ever competitive game in the region which will ensure plenty of attention is at Richardson Park.

Round 1 fixtures:

Coffs Breakers v Grafton Tigers at Fitzroy Oval, Coffs Harbour

Sawtell Toormina Saints v Port Macquarie Magpies at Richardson Park, Sawtell

For full fixture details, click here.