Blue Lions hearts broken in lower grades

The Coffs Breakers Reserves ensured the club had a victory to celebrate on 2024 AFL North Coast Grand Final Day at C.ex Coffs International Stadium.

THE Joint Venture between the Northern Beaches Blues and the Nambucca Valley Lions proved a good marriage during the 2024 AFL North Coast season but unfortunately the Blue Lions were unable to consummate their connection with a premiership on Grand Final Day.

In the Reserves Grand Final the Coffs Breakers defence held the Bluer Lions goalless in the first half to open up a 20-point advantage at half time.

Although the Breakers didn’t score in the third term while Northern Beaches/Nambucca Valley threw everything at them, the Coffs Harbour team held on to win by 13 points.

The Under 18s Grand Final saw Sawtell/Toormina produce an 11-point lead at quarter time.

The second term saw a real arm wrestle between the Saints and Blue Lions with scores even for the term and the crowd at C.ex Coffs International Stadium left wondering what was going to happen after the long interval.

The third term is known as the premiership quarter and it proved true for Sawtell/Toormina with the Saints kicking four unanswered goals for the term to create an unassailable 33-point advantage at the final change.

MATCH DETAILS

RESERVES

COFFS BREAKERS  1.2  3.4  3.4  4.5 (29)

NORTHERN BEACHES/NAMBUCCA VALLEY  0.2  0.2  1.3  2.4 (16)

Goals – Brk: Jake Funston, Josh Landsdowne, Harry Mapleson. NB/NV: Ray McGrath, Will Buckingham.

Best on Ground: Malcolm Trotter (Coffs Breakers)

UNDER 18s

SAWTELL/TOORMINA   3.1   5.3   9.3   11.6 (72)

NORTHERN BEACHES/NAMBUCCA VALLEY  1.2  3.4  3.6  6.7 (43)

Goals – Saw: Ignatius Hibberd 3, Charlie Martin 2, Lenard Whyman 2, Beau Willoughby 2, Chad Anderson, Tane Skinner. NB/NV: Zane Quay 3, Wilson Baade, Lachlan Doyle, Thomas Epis.

Nathan Harris Medal (Best on Ground): Charlie Martin – Sawtell/Toormina