Blues back on the winner’s list

Northern Beaches defender Chris Frangos looks to break past some Nambucca Valley opponents. Photo: Green Shoots Marketing

NORTHERN Beaches bounced back from its last start loss to Sawtell/Toormina with a comfortable victory at home over Nambucca Valley.

The Blues were never threatened by the opposition and scored a percentage boost with an 84-point win.

Northern Beaches jumped out of the blocks against an undermanned Lions outfit and managed to hit the scoreboard 10 times in the first quarter. The trouble was only one of those 10 scoring shots was between the big sticks.

Blues coach Rory Evans said the improved efficiency in front of goal after that came from a change in the team’s approach moving forward.

“We did shift and move the ball a little bit shorter,” Evans said.

“I just think we probably got a little bit excited. We did all the work we wanted to do to get the ball forward and then we got a bit excited once we got it there and didn’t lower our eyes. So it was a pretty big focus to make the most of how we went in and we did that and probably continued it for most of the rest of the match.”

The final margin could’ve been a lot greater as Nambucca Valley took to the field with only 13 players. The Blues extended a hand of friendship and loaned the Lions some players to help even up the numbers and it was agreed to play shorter quarters.

Northern Beaches managed to keep the visitors scoreless for the first three quarters but Nambucca Valley coach Leif Stuart said that situation helped his team focus in the final stanza.

“That last quarter we were just looking for a goal. Any sort of point just celebrate,” Stuart said.

“This club, no matter the result, we’re always laughing. It’s what you’ve got to do in this league, have a bit of fun no matter what sort of position you’re in.”

NORTHERN BEACHES 1.9 6.11 11.16 13.17 (95)
NAMBUCCA VALLEY 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.5 (11)
Goals – N.B: D.Bear 3, F.Duryea 3, N.Webber 2, L.McPherson, J.Berryman, M.Huthnance, M.Davey, B.Petrolo. N.V: A.Baldwin.

Tigers now face an uphill battle

THE fallout from Grafton’s 66-point loss at home is that the reigning premier may not even get to fire a shot come finals time in a bid to defend their title.

For the Tigers the loss means the destiny of their season is now in the hands of other teams. To sneak into the finals the Tigers not only need to all of their remaining three matches starting with the Coffs Breakers this Saturday, but they need the teams above them on the ladder to continue losing.

Port Macquarie kicked with the aid of a southerly breeze in the first term and put the sword to the Tigers in what was an important clash. The Magpies kicked nine goals to one to build a 50-point lead at quarter time and then went on to narrowly win the second term while kicking into the wind.

Magpies coach Matt Clarke said he was surprised by the size of the margin against Grafton but said it all started in the middle.

“We were able to win one clearance after another early and we had alot of forward entries on the back of that,” Clarke said.

“We had a couple of forwards in Tom Dickson and Braden Saggers who are guns and were able to capitalise super quickly on those entries.”

Clarke paid particular praise to a pair of 16 year-olds in Will Kelly and Jaxon Mawson who spent large portions of the match playing in the midfield for the first time. While more experienced players Royce Close and Kye Taylor were dangerous in that position, the Magpies were well served by the youngsters playing their first season of senior football.

“They really know how to give us good balance around the contest,” the coach observed.

GRAFTON 1.2 5.6 7.10 11.14 (80)
PORT MACQUARIE 9.4 14.7 17.11 22.14 (146)
Goals – Port: T.Dickson 6, A.Pratt 3, A.Byrne 2, B.Saggers 2, R.Close 2, K.Taylor 2, M.Bylsma, J.Mawson Gulliford, D.Boulet, N.Cameron-Hancock. Graf: B.Nelson 2, N.Swarski, J.Kelly, J.Boehme, J.Deefholts, T.Churchin, N.Wheaton, N.O’Neill, C.O’Neill, J.Ashby.

Reserves: Grafton won on forfeit. Under-17s: Grafton 8.9 (57) def Sawtell/Toormina 7.6 (48)

Saints continue winning ways

SAWTELL/Toormina’s late charge toward a possible finals berth continues to build momentum.

Last year’s runner-up travelled to Casino and recorded a 127-pint win over the Lions with Darryn Raglass and Luke Matthews combining to kick 13 of the Saints’ 27 goals.

The Saints have now won four of their past five matches and closed the percentage gap on Port Macquarie which sits in fourth position on the ladder just 7.36% ahead of Sawtell/Toormina.

For Casino, Saturday’s effort was the second straight time the Lions have kicked seven goals and their total of 7.4 (46) was their third highest score of the season, almost eclipsing their P.B of 54.

CASINO LIONS 7.4 (46)
SAWTELL/TOORMINA 27.11 (173)
Goals – Saw: D.Ragless 7, L.Matthews 6, M.Pettifer 4, A.Pyke 2, H.Anderson 2, B.Bar Reech 2, L.Draper-Bell 2, T.Perks, J.Troutman. Cas: B.McKay 2, T.Myers, S.Fitzpatrick, M.Bradshaw, M.Malloy, A.Saunders.

SENIOR LADDER

	P	W	D	L	WIN %	FOR	AGST	%
Coffs Breakers	11	10	0	1	90.91	1075	579	185.66
Northern Beaches	10	7	1	2	75.00	771	499	154.51
Lismore Swans	11	7	0	4	63.64	1214	545	222.75
Port Macquarie	10	6	0	4	60.00	912	702	129.91
Sawtell/Toormina	10	6	0	4	60.00	826	674	122.55
Grafton	11	4	1	6	40.91	1034	798	129.57
Nambucca Valley	11	1	0	10	9.09	414	1017	40.71
Casino Lions	10	0	0	10	0.00	274	1706	16.06

ROUND 12 – Saturday, July 17

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