Hunter AFL Masters

An intrepid few jumped in cars and headed up the Pacific Hwy to the beautiful city of Coffs Harbour for the long awaited exhibition game planeed since last year.

We were to play at the home ground of the Sawtell Saints. We were timed to start after the under 18's game.

We were little undermanned with 16 players and with opponents who were looking real fit (turns out half of them still play grade footy).

All players were over 35 as per the ethos of masters footy. The Coffs boys were coming out of the woodwork and numbers were looking extremely healthy. So after seconding a couple of the coffs boys to even up the numbers we took to the field for the battle of the day.

All was looking good in the first quarter with a very even ruck contest in the centre. It all came down to clearances and the boys from Coffs were starting to cut us up out of the middle. It soon became evident they were obviously a lot younger and a lot fitter than most of us. The first quarter finished with the scores very even.

The second quarter saw more of the same with the opposition running rampant.. Blokes like Derek, Spence, Eric and Hopey were trying to stem the tide with Mick Brown and Sheeny working overtime in the backline..

Hunter started to show some spirit and with some good interference play from Glenn Mitchell in the backline our boys started to get the footy and run. Delivery to our team mates picked up and again we finished the quarter without disgracing ourselves.

The third quarter saw the fitness levels kick in and Coffs pulled away with some really good ball movement.

Clarkey was heard to say he felt like Sandilands from Freo. All the hitouts but none of the ball with the Coffs boys reading the ruck almost every time.  The end of the quarter saw us well behind.

The fourth quarter got under way and we were caught napping ( or more like asleep) and Coffs ran away to win the game by 15 goals.

A great day and I think we have planted the seed with quite a few guys from Coffs overheard saying they need to get a club going in and around the North Coast. So it seems the trip has been an oustanding success.

Let's hope that the North Coast get something happening and get a club going. Almost all of the players from Coffs had no idea this level of football was available to them and had retired.. Some cobwebs have now been blown out.

Thanks to those who took the time and made the effort to come up to Coffs Harbour. IT is much appreciated by all.

Sunday 29th May saw our first game on No.1 Sportsground for season 2012.

The day began well with a healthy dose of sunshine. By the time we arrived at the ground things had taken a turn for the worse.

Dark cloud loomed on the horizon with a southerly change making its way up the coast.

It hit us during warm up and continued on and off throughout the game.

The ground was in magnificent condition and surprise surprise the centre square was actually in the centre of the ground. For those of you that know No.1, this is indeed unusual. The council is very protective of the cricket pitch area but this time around it had a very healthy level of grass cover and was fantastic.

A hardy group of players rocked up for a kick with a few new bodies and a few new spectators there to take in the spectacle.

The game also marked Brian Phillips' 100th game for the club and Scott Cooper-Johnson's 25th. Brian was awarded with Life Membership and Scott was awarded his mug. Congratulations to both of you.

Ian Wood was also there and was presented with his last 2 best and fairest trophies. Glen Mitchell had been hiding them in his cupboard at home making out they were his.. But I think the committee wised up to him and made him hand them over..

Photos from the game can be seen in the photo gallery under the heading of game 4..

Our next game is on Saturday 5th May in Coffs Harbour. As mentioned in a previous news item, this is an exhibition game with the intention of showcasing our game to those in and around Coffs so they may be bitten by the bug and form a club of their own.

We have quite a few names on the list and look forward to a great game.

The following game will be on the 19th of May. This will be the NSW cup game against the Wombats down there.

We need to get a decent team there to be competitive. The club was a tad disappointed in the first game with numbers being very tight. We were lacking a bench and got run over. Let's try not to let this happen again.

Cu all next weekend.

The Club has approached the North Coast AFL and has organised for an exhibition game of AFL Masters Football to be played at the home ground of the Sawtell AFL Club, Hulberts Road, Toormina (Coffs Harbour) on the 5th of May.. We have a 1pm start which should give those that need to travel time to get there. It is around a 4.5 hour journey from Newcastle these days.

This is an attempt by our Club to generate some interest on the North Coast for AFL Masters Football..We need the support of our members and those from other clubs to help make this a success.. Put it this way, It won't look good if we show up with 10 players to play.. Please guys, let's make an effort to attend this one.. It is not too far away and if you want you can drive home that afternoon. Already some have orgainsed to stay Friday and Saturday night so have a think about it and get back to the club with your intentions asap.. Email the Secretary on secetary@huntermaf.org.au and let him know.

Those from other clubs are also most welcome to attend.

The game scheduled for this weekend (22nd) at Medowie has been called oof as the ground is too wet.. The Committee is in the process of finding another.. At this stage Nelson Bay is favourite due to the sandy surface.

Please keep an eye on your emails for further info.

They think they have got us.. Let's get our butts out on the paddock and show them how the game can be played.

Or do we just bring a can of spider spray and make em forfeit..?

We need volunteers to umpire both in goal and on filed.. We also need scorers and time keepers..

Let's make this (our first NSW Cup game) a game to remember.

Our next game is to held on Sunday April 15th at 11am. It will be held at the home ground for the Lake Macquarie Dockers, Tulkaba Oval, York St. Teralba.

This is the first of 4 home and away games that will comprise the NSW Cup. This is a round robin competition in which we play teams from North West Sydney, Sydney, UTS and Wombats.

Unfortunately we can only filed teams of 24 so it will be first in bestdressed. Not an ideal situation but one that is unavoidable due to the concept of the competition.

Our next intra club game will be April 22nd with another on April 29th. Keep an eye on the draw for the venues for these 2 events.

We have an exhibiton game in Coffs Harbour on the 5th of May and all are welcome to come along for a weekend of fun and frivolity with some footy tossed in. from all reports the boys in Coffs are ready and waiting our arrival..

Heard the words... Gunna smash em... No sure what that means but I guess we will find out..

Anyway.. keep an eye on here for future news etc..

cheers