Prelim Finals a stop at last chance saloon
IT’S a spot in the AFL North Coast Grand Final or bust when the Senior Preliminary Finals are played at Woolgoolga on Saturday.
The stakes are enormous at this stage of the season and the giant gulf in reward between victory and defeat on Saturday means all players will be giving their all.
It’s a day that promises to be worth every cent of the $5 entry fee at the gate.
The men’s match will see a Port Macquarie outfit trying to avoid a straight sets exit when it meets Sawtell/Toormina.
It’s the exact same position the Magpies found themselves in 12 months ago.
Knowing they can bounce back like they did last year will give Port confidence but the Saints are chock full of belief after last week’s impressive win the Elimination Final against Grafton.
The Coffs Breakers women find themselves in the same boat having suffered their first defeat of the season last week in the Qualifying Final.
The Breakers now find themselves playing against Northern Beaches/Nambucca Valley while Sawtell/Toormina’s women put their feet up for a week.
The Northern Beaches/Nambucca Valley joint venture will be playing in two matches on Saturday as the Reserve grade team will be facing Port Macquarie.
Port’s young guns in the Under 18s have beaten Sawtell/Toormina twice in the past three weeks so will enter the Preliminary Final against the Saints with confidence. But the Magpies know they need to be on their toes. The Saints have players in their team who can turn a match in the space of just 10 to 15 minutes and if Port’s 18s relax, they could pay a heavy price for the lapse.
PRELIMINARY FINALS
Saturday 17 August at Wiigulga Sports Complex, Woolgoolga
10.00am – Under 18s: Sawtell/Toormina vs. Port Macquarie
11:50am – Women: Coffs Harbour Breakers vs. Northern Beaches/Nambucca Valley
1.20pm – Reserves: Port Macquarie vs. Northern Beaches/Nambucca Valley
2.50pm – Men: Port Macquarie vs. Sawtell/Toormina
GRAND FINALS
Saturday 24 August at C.ex Coffs International Stadium, Coffs Harbour
10.00am – Under 18s: Northern Beaches/Nambucca Valley vs. Preliminary Final Winner
12:10pm – Women: Sawtell/Toormina vs. Preliminary Final Winner
2.00pm – Reserves: Coffs Harbour Breakers vs. Preliminary Final Winner
4.00pm – Men: Coffs Harbour Breakers vs. Preliminary Final Winner
