Fight for Final Four on the Line

Traditional rivals, and foundation AFLNC clubs, North Coffs and Coffs Swans, clash at Leisure Park in what is already looming as a qualifier for the finals. Neither club has tasted victory in 2012 and the winner will go into fourth spot on the ladder and carry a big advantage into the next round.

This is a tipster’s nightmare! It’s like picking a winner in a maiden without any barrier trial form. The Swans were very good last start at Grafton after quarter time and actually outplayed the Tigers in the last three quarters. Daniel Dickson has been an enormous influence in the middle and is a goal kicker as well. The Pearce brothers, Darby and McKinlay, are also dangerous and tireless workers while Sam Turner will improve on the bigger Leisure Park oval.

The Kangaroos add some much needed height to their structure with the return of Jason Piermont and Nick Bailey and tend to rise to the occasion against their cross-town adversary. Jordan O’Connor returns from an ankle injury and at home the Roos will be very hard to beat but this will be down to the wire.

Magpies Flying High in own Nest

The undefeated Port Macquarie Magpies have not been on the road north as yet, courtesy of the draw, but face their biggest test so far when they take on the improving Sawtell Saints. The Saints have the potential to be top two and will be no pushover for the home side who have smashed both North Coffs and the Swans in past weeks and have an unbelievable percentage as a result.

Port are a big side boasting Damon Munt, Michael Kemp and but should not take the Saints lightly. Sawtell coach Ben Hooke has moulded a fit and fast outfit with Alex Pearson, Craig Parsons and Pat Gillingham being prime examples. The Pies will start favourites but if they are not switched on could get a shock.



AROUND THE TRAPS

There is a rumour going around that a former North Coffs champion is preparing to pull the boots on in a few weeks. Now please keep it to yourself but the word is ‘Freddy’ is back. 

The old boys game played at Richardson Park last weekend was an entertaining and skilled affair. The local side got up in the end and the word is that with a few training sessions they could compete against a couple of the senior sides! 

And of course the winner was really football…oh and Carlton United did quite well after the game as well. 

New U18 side Camden Haven have made an immediate impact on the competition and sit equal on points with top placed Coffs Swans.

Have you seen the Port Macquarie percentage? It is about ten times greater than the next and reads like Brad Greenshield’s bank statement.