Countdown is on to Junior Grand Finals

Grafton Tigers v Coffs Breakers

Northern Beaches Blues, Coffs Harbour Breakers, and Grafton Tigers have all progressed to the Grand Finals of the 2018 Junior Competition following Preliminary Final wins at Ellem Oval, Grafton.

In the Under 11 competition, Northern Beaches Blues earned a rematch against Nambucca Valley Lions in the season decider with victory over Port Macquarie Magpies White.

The strong wind made scoring challenging right across the day and this was particularly evident in the Under 11 match where the Blues had 32 scoring shots for just six goals. Their defensive pressure and strong tackling ensured that they weren’t left to rue their goal kicking inaccuracy as they managed to limit Port to just the two goal for match to claim a 50 point win.

The Blues take on Nambucca Valley Lions in a Grand Final that has special significance for both clubs. The Lions can accomplish an unbeaten season and claim premiership glory in just the club’s second season, whilst the Blues are looking to secure the club’s first junior title.

In the Under 13 competition, Minor Premiers Grafton Tigers suffered the ignominy of going out of the Finals in straight sets after being beaten in the Preliminary Final by Coffs Harbour Breakers.

The Tigers had their chances to win this match but could only kick minor scores from their nine scoring shots. Breakers capitalised and, although they only managed seven scoring shots, sending five of these through the big sticks ensured they claimed a 23 point win.

The Breakers now face off against reigning Premier Macleay Valley Eagles who are well rested after going straight through to the Grand Final and having this week off. These two teams have only faced off once this season which resulted in a 15 point win to the Breakers so this match will be evenly poised and could go either way.

The Under 15 competition saw Grafton Tigers and Bellingen Bulldogs play out a highly entertaining and see-sawing match that was characterised by numerous lead changes. Ultimately Grafton’s fresher legs won out with Bellingen having to play the entire match without a bench to be able to run rested reserves onto the ground.

Bellingen pushed the Tigers all the way and really made them earn their spot in the Grand Final. The 20 point margin of victory was the biggest gap that either team was able to establish at any stage.

Grafton’s next assignment is against Sawtell Toormina Saints in the season decider. Saints have gotten to this stage without dropping a match and are still smarting from losing the 2017 Grand Final. Grafton pushed Sawtell all the way in the semi with the nine point result the closest of the season between these two teams. With players from the younger age group available for selection in Under 15, Grafton could be ready to spring the surprise of the season.

In a highly unfortunate turn of events the Port Macquarie Youth Girls team was decimated by illness and unable to take their place in the Preliminary Final against Coffs Breakers. This means that the Breakers progress to play Grafton Tigers in what will be a repeat of last season’s Grand Final.

These two teams have been evenly matched all season and will ensure a nail biting finale with numerous North Coast Force representative players in each line-up.

AFL North Coast Junior Competition Grand Final line-up – Sunday 26 August, C.ex Coffs International Stadium

9:30am	Under 11	Nambucca Valley Lions v Northern Beaches Blues
11:10am	Under 13	Macleay Valley Eagles v Coffs Harbour Breakers
12:50pm	Youth Girls	Grafton Tigers v Coffs Harbour Breakers
2:30pm	Under 15	Sawtell Toormina Saints v Grafton Tigers