By Greg Robson

COURTESY OF COFFS COAST ADVOCATE

Sawtell Saints V North Coffs at Richardson Park Sawtell

Under 7 – Sawtell and North Coffs played excellent team games with improvement from all the players appraent. For the Saints Cody, Emmett, Angus, Jack and Max all had great games. Terrific marks were taken by Nicholas, Damon, Hamish, James and Tyson. Awards went to Hamish Anderson and Bayne Shipman and a wonderful effort to Cody who scored all the goals for the Saints. For the Roos award winners were Michael Lourens and Isabella O’Donnell with Luca Cougal, Neihana Milne, Cody Polkinghorne and Jezal Sykes playing good games.

Under 10 – In a high scoring game both the Saints and Roos played with a high level of skill. For the Saints goals were kicked by Conner (award), Jesse, Isaac, Jeremy (award) and Danny. The game saw a lot of handballing and long kicks. Matthew, Dylan, Daniel, Jack, Curtis and Sam all had great games and were well supported by Oscar, Billy, Isaac and Jesse. For the Roos award winners were Connor Morton and Kai Onley with new faces Darcy Ryan, Patrick O’Gorman and Lachlan Burt playing strongly. Lachlan Clarke, Miles McCallum, Nelson Burrell, Samuel O’Donnell and Aidan Joseph also played well in a great team display.

Under 12 – North Coffs 7-8-50 to Sawtell Saints 6-6-42

Sawtell Saints and North Coffs fought out a close tussle in a match played in great spirit. The Roos started with the breeze and opened up a 10 point lead at quarter time. In the second quarter the Saints kicked 3 unanswered goals to take a 12 point lead into the long break. In a low scoring third quarter North Coffs scored all 14 points to lead by 2 at the last break. The Roos were able to kick 3 goals into the breeze into the last quarter to record a narrow 8 point victory. For the Roos best on ground was Lachlan Kelly (2 goals) displaying 100% commitment in every contest. Other goal kickers were Karly Amos, Brayden Coad, Machut Machut and Blayke Sykes. For the Saints Matt McHeyzer (award and 1 goal), Sam Taylor (1 goal) and Jordan Perks (2 goals) were best players. Elliot Anderson (1 goal) also played well going forward and in defence. All the team need to be commended on doing everything that was asked of them. Oscar also kicked a goal and the second award went to Jacob.

Under 14 – Sawtell Saints 10-3-63 to North Coffs 0-3-3

It is always a good rivalry between the Saints and Nth Coffs and the score was not a true indication of the competitive nature of the match. The Saints have a number of new players and they enjoyed their introduction to AFL by following the leadership of their more experienced team members. Sawtell moved the ball well out of the centre and backed each other up in the forward line to put points on the board. The defence for Sawtell was strong with the backline stopping many North Coffs advances. Awards for the Saints went to Cameron Bone (1 goal) and Ryan Buck. Goals were also shared amongst Tristan Pennant (4 gaols), Patrick Gillingham (2 goals) and 1 goal each to Angus Buritt, Jordan Hayes, Jackson Stanmore and Cruz Hastings. For the Roos best players were Rohan McMahon, Josh Bullivant and Mitch Papley. The Roos have a lot of new faces this season and will improve as the season progresses.

Ladders after Round 2

U12 – Coffs Swans 8, North Coffs 8, Northern Beaches 4, Bellingen/Nambucca 4, Sawtell 0

U14 – Sawtell 8, Northern Beaches 4, Coffs Swans 4, Bellingen/Nambucca 4, North Coffs 0

U16 – Sawtell 4, North Coffs 4, Coffs Swans 0, Northern Beaches 0

Round 3 Games – Sunday 13 April from 9am.

Coffs Swans V North Coffs (all grades), Sawtell V Northern Beaches (U16) at Fitzroy Oval, Coffs Harbour