IF THIS is what can be expected come the finals then bring on the end of the season.
Saturday’s clash at Richardson Park was billed as an encounter to decide who should be named as premiership favourite this year and it didn’t disappoint.
Although the Coffs Swans walked away with the four points, Sawtell/Toormina knows it’s well and truly in the running to win the flag.
The contest was a high pressure arm-wrestle which the Swans managed to prevail 9.11 (65) to 9.4 (58).
“The game was testament to both sides as far as the hardness and pressure was concerned,” Swans playing-coach Jay Guthrie said.
“We weren’t allowed to play the style that we’ve been working on and it was goal for goal the whole day.”
The crowd at Richardson Park was the biggest seen for a long time and Guthrie said the players noticed.
“On the ground it was an electric atmosphere and all of the players noticed,” he said.
At each break the margin was less than a goal and the lead changed hands a couple of times during a tense final quarter when both teams kicked three goals each.
The Swans managed to have their noses in front at the end but Guthrie said the Saints will be a combination to be reckoned with.
“Obviously they’re going to be a force. They’ll be strong again next time we play them. I can’t see anything changing over the next six weeks.”
COFFS SWANS
1.5 4.7 6.9 9.11 (65)
SAWTELL/TOORMINA
2.1 4.3 6.4 9.4 (58)
Goals – Swans: M Pearce 3, N Whittle 2, P Curtain 2, N Von Schill, R Clayton. Saw: A Clarke 2, B Foote 2, M Couzens, J Ellis-Cluff, M Longbardi, M McHeyzer, G Faithfull.
Best – Swans: M Pearce, C Waldron, N Von Schill, J Guthrie. Saw: M Flynn, G Faithfull, J Ellis-Cluff, A Clarke, J Neaves, B Foote.
Reserves: Sawtell/Toormina 11.13 (79) def Coffs Swans 1.1 (7)
Under-18’s: Sawtell/Toormina 17.18 (120) def Coffs Swans 7.2 (44)
Photo courtesy of Leigh Jensen/Coffs Coast Advocate
Magpies record first win of the season
THE monkey is well and truly off the Port Macquarie back.
The reigning premier had endured a disastrous start to the season with three consecutive losses by more than 100 points but the Magpies bounced back to form on the weekend to record the first win of the season.
A dozen players added their name to the score sheet as Port inflicted a 200 point thumping over North Coffs.
Missing some experienced players, the Kangaroos had no answer for the continued onslaught from the Magpies’ midfield who bombarded the attacking 50 metre area.
Stewart Todd booted seven goals while Taylor Stone, making his AFL North Coast debut after moving from Northern Tasmania, slotted into the team nicely to kick five.
Port Macquarie could move into the top four this weekend if it manages to defeat Camden Haven in the first ever senior local derby to be played on the Hastings.
PORT MACQUARIE
6.3 14.7 22.10 31.15 (201)
NORTH COFFS
0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 (1)
Goals - Port: S Todd 7, T Stone 5, B Hutchins 4, T Bauer 3, J Schmidt 2, T Kelly 2, C Dobos 2, M Kemp 2, M Gentle, J Hall, J Jeans, I Brambley. N.Coffs: Nil.
Under-18s: Port Macquarie 21.20 (146) def North Coffs 0.2 (2)
Bombers flying high at Gladstone
ANY doubts about Camden Haven’s ability to handle the step up to senior football in its inaugural season in the top flight competition were dispelled with a comfortable win over Grafton.
The Bombers raced out to a 34 point lead by the first break and were never threatened from that point.
The Tigers, usually so potent in attack, failed to trouble the scorers in the first term and only managed to kick eight majors for the match.
It wasn’t an issue for the Bombers though as Brad Smith kicked three goals while controlling the ruck with partner-in-crime Angus Castleton-Crowley as the pair helped the Bombers to a 60 point victory.
CAMDEN HAVEN
5.4 8.7 12.13 16.16 (112)
GRAFTON
0.0 2.2 4.3 8.4 (52)
Goals – C.Hav: B Smith 3, R Close 3, C Wright 2, J Swain 2, L Boxall, E Prescott, J Tate, B Hayward, K Pursch, D Holten. Graf: L Anderson 4, E Myers, R Newman, B Holder, L Newman.
Reserves: Camden Haven def Grafton (forfeit).
AFL NORTH COAST SENIOR LADDER
|
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
Pts |
% |
Coffs Swans |
4 |
4 |
- |
- |
491 |
172 |
16 |
285.47 |
Sawtell/Toormina |
4 |
3 |
- |
1 |
601 |
178 |
12 |
337.64 |
Grafton |
4 |
2 |
- |
2 |
476 |
280 |
8 |
170.00 |
Camden Haven |
4 |
2 |
- |
2 |
349 |
448 |
8 |
77.90 |
Port Macquarie |
4 |
1 |
- |
3 |
308 |
498 |
4 |
61.85 |
North Coffs |
4 |
- |
- |
4 |
143 |
792 |
0 |
18.06 |
Last Modified on 06/05/2014 11:34