North Coffs

Goal Kickers: R. Turner 3, J. Mayer 2, B. Giri, G. Jarman, T. Freebody
Best Players: D. Funston, A. Miller, T. Merrick, J. Drum, B. Giri, T. Campbell

Sawtell/Toormina

Goal Kickers: B. Hooke 7, M. Couzens 3, L. Cohen 3, S. Taylor 2, L. Matthews, E. Brogmus
Best Players: E. Kelly, S. Taylor, L. Matthews, M. Couzens, J. Gillingham, B. Hooke

Sawtell continued their irrepressible form with a 61-point win over North Coffs at the Coffs Coast Leisure Park.

The Saints were always the better side apart from the final term and will take some stopping if they are to be denied their third straight premiership.

A passionate quarter-time address from Darren Funston failed to stem the flow of goals as Sawtell took full control of the contest.

With a host of players leading the way, the Saints led every key statistic. Their dominance was hardest felt in the centre, with the youthful tenacity of Simon Taylor and Jack Gillingham working in brilliantly with the experience of Luke Matthews and Mark Couzens.

Ethan Kelly was particularly strong in the ruck and put the ball on a platter for his teammates. Ben Hooke played arguably his best game this season with a seven-goal haul.

In the same breath, North Coffs were disappointing and lacked the application needed to succeed against a disciplined outfit. They struggled rebounding from defence, and failed to slow the Saints run through the corridor.

Even without the presence of first-liners, Courtney Tune and Jai Hardy, it was another strong team performance from the Saints to demonstrate their depth as a club.

Grafton

Goal Kickers: K. Thompson 5, S. Duroux 3, G. Blackwell 2, G. Connolly, R. Newman, A. Spies
Best Players: T. Whalan, K. Thompson, S. Duroux, D. Cameron, P. O’Malley, K. O'Malley

Coffs Swans

Goal Kickers: S. Turner 4, A. Landini 3, K. Rundell 3, D. Willoughby 2
Best Players: S. Turner, K. Rundell, P. Robinson, A. Landini, J. Burow, S. Burow

The Grafton Tigers came from behind to force the first draw in the 2010 season at Ellem Oval.

It looked like the besieged Swans would come away with an easy win even leading into three quarter-time before the last-placed side produced a stirring effort to split the points in a controversial finish.

The Swans led by as many as seven goals, with Sam Turner kicking all his four majors in the first-half.

Their opponents started to tighten down back, and with a more attacking mindset, led by Kelly Thompson, started to whittle away the lead.

The visitors failed to kick a goal in the final term, and in an impressive sign for the Tigers going forward, their young leaders in Tim Whalan and Sean Duroux created hope for their home supporters.

The result sees Grafton leapfrog Nambucca Valley to fifth position, and a game and percentage behind the Swans.

Port Macquarie

Goal Kickers: J. Schmidt 6, M. Lill 3, J. Mohr 2, L. Carroll, D. Rumble, M. Kemp, R. Mc Mahon
Best Players: J. Mohr, C. Dicker, G. Dean, J. Schmidt, M. Kemp, S. Skreja

Nambucca Valley

Goal Kickers: R. McGrath 3, A. Blair 2, A. Clarke, M. Townsend, M. Schmidt, M. Morris
Best Players: J. Angel, A. Blair, D. Linares, M. Schmidt, M. Townsend, A. Clarke

Again the Lions were valiant but unable to produce a four-quarter performance to stun the Magpies at Stuart Park.

The Lions had the better of proceedings in the opening stages, as they went into the main break with a narrow two-point lead.

This awoke the home side from their slumber as they plotted seven goals in an entertaining third term to continue the Lions poor record after half-time.

Jesse Schmidt was among those to start imposing himself on the contest, as the Magpies found more space in the middle third of the ground.

With Michael Kemp dominating the hit-outs to advantage, Port were able to seal a flattering end-score line despite the best efforts of Jim Angel and Andrew Blair.

While Port are now in striking distance of second place, the equation is now simple for the Lions. They need to win their last two games against Grafton and the Coffs Swans to have a chance of making the finals.