Breakers vanquish another challenger

Amy Johanson of the Coffs Breakers leads in the race for possession of the ball against Port Macquarie. Photo: Green Shoots Marketing

A NUMBER of challengers have stepped forward in the first half of the season to try and knock the Coffs Breakers off their perch. On each occasion the reigning premier has met the challenge.

The latest one came from an improving Port Macquarie and the Breakers romped to a 47-point victory.

Heading into a double bye which includes the long weekend, the Breakers are undefeated with a massive percentage of 642.55%

At Fitzroy Oval on Saturday the Breakers more than held their own in the first quarter while kicking into a strong southerly before kicking away in the second term.

Amy Johanson again topped the goalkicking list with three majors while Kyah Griffith and April Devine each kicked two.

Port Macquarie had won two straight matches heading into the Sir Doug Nicholls Round contest but learned there’s still improvement needed if it’s to seriously threaten the Coffs Harbour team’s current stranglehold on the women’s competition.

Magpies co-captain Astyn Kirkby said the lessons learned will only benefit her team.

“We learned to put up a good defence, they (the Breakers) are great so more defence but we also learned that we really need to pick up on our skills to be able to get those goals and the points, and moving forward basically towards our end,” Kirkby said.

COFFS BREAKERS 9.5 (59) def PORT MACQUARIE 2.0 (12)

Goals – Coffs: A.Johanson 3, K.Griffith 2, A.Devine 2, R.Batey, R.Goodenough. Port: O.Jogever, E.Heeney.

THE Lismore Swans returned to the winner’s list with a convincing 52-point victory over Sawtell/Toormina.

The Saints travelled up the highway with less than the full complement of players but the Swans in a sporting gesture ensured there were even playing numbers on the field.

With fewer players on the field comes added space and Lismore’s runners were able to find room to push the ball forward.

When it got inside the 50 metre arc, it was the designer of the Swans’ new indigenous guernsey Talarra Berry as well as Amy Keen who benefitted the most, both kicking two goals.

Despite failing to score, Sawtell/Toormina was upbeat about the performance.

Speaking to Northern Star/Daily Telegraph journalist Alison Paterson, Saints captain Vienna Schoeffel said she was proud of her team adding the match against the Swans was only their third game as a squad but the players were committed to supporting each other and to improving their playing skills.

“Our team focus is to grow women’s sport in the Coffs area and beyond,” she said.

“Early in the season we had a group discussion on why we were attracted to the sport and why we are a part of the team.

“Not one person said it was about winning, it was all about personal growth and to be a part of a community.”

LISMORE SWANS 7.10 (52) def SAWTELL/TOORMINA 0.0 (0)

Goals – Swans: T.Berry 2, A.Keen 2, H.Wall, L.Cahill, K.Schafer. S/T: Nil.

WOMEN’S LADDER

	P	W	D	L	WIN %	FOR	AGST	%
Coffs Breakers	5	5	0	0	100	302	47	642.55
Northern Beaches	3	2	0	1	66.67	116	92	126.09
Lismore Swans	5	3	0	2	60.00	196	117	167.52
Port Macquarie	4	2	0	2	50.00	83	104	79.81
Sawtell/Toormina	3	0	0	3	0.00	25	145	17.24
Grafton	4	0	0	4	0.00	34	251	13.55

ROUND 7 FIXTURE – Saturday, June 5

NORTHERN BEACHES vs PORT MACQUARIE at Centennial Oval, Woolgoolga
(11.50am – Women; 1.20pm – Reserves; 2.50pm – Seniors)
NAMBUCCA VALLEY vs LISMORE SWANS at EJ Biffin Playing Fields, Nambucca Heads
(2.50pm – Seniors)
COFFS BREAKERS vs CASINO LIONS at Fitzroy Oval/Old Camp, Coffs Harbour
(2.50pm – Seniors)
SAWTELL/TOORMINA vs GRAFTON at Richardson Park, Sawtell
(10am – Under-17s; 11.50am – Women; 1.20pm – Reserves; 2.50pm – Seniors)

The Coffs Breakers under-17s will be playing a cross-conference match against Inverell Saints at Inverell. The match starts at 11am.