THE Mid-North Coast AFL's best players combined on Saturday June 11th to capture its sixth consecutive victory over Summerland in the annual inter-league clash.
In a tight, physical game, the Mid-North Coast triumphed, spurred on by a rousing half-time speech.
Magpies' leader Scott Payne was selected as vice captain and enjoyed his time up forward, booting four crucial goals.
A large crowd gathered in Coffs Harbour to watch the match, which was played at Fitzroy Oval, the home of the Coffs Swans.
Fans witnessed players from as far as Ballina, Nimbin, and Byron Bay fighting it out for the honours.
The 'Coasters' took an early lead, kicking two quick goals before Summerland troubled the scorers.
Boasting the toughest mid-field the league has had in several years, the first quarter was set up by the Coasters' ferocious tackling and close attention to the opposition.
Tristan Snow, from Woolgoolga, was inspirational, disregarding his own health and safety in his pursuit of the ball.
Magpies' Jon Stevens clearly won the ball from the middle, giving his on-ballers first use of the football.
Spearheaded by in-form forward Darren `Fred' Funston, from North Coffs, the Coasters took control of the match in the opening 25 minutes.
Port Macquarie's Dean Nankerville was a standout in the opening quarter, gathering the ball cleanly and running straight lines to open up the play for his forwards.
The second quarter was a different story, with the Mid North Coast side beaten to the ball, and caught out of position - giving Summerland a sniff going into the half-time break.
Mid-North Coast coach, and director of umpiring, Rod McPherson was left fuming as his side walk from the ground.
He blasted his players for their attack on the ball and ferocity of the play.
He asked his players to lift their intensity as they emerged from the break.
Response was swift with the Coasters booting six goals and keeping Summerland scoreless in the third quarter in what proved to be the match-winning period.
It was great to see so many of the Magpies stepping up to stamp their authority on the game with Dean Geddes controlling the big forwards, while Nankerville, in what was possibly a best on ground performance, ran hard all day to deliver the ball from the half back line, to deep in the forwards range.
Stevens showed why he is the number one ruckman in the competition with his preparedness to play defence and earn the hard ball.
Payne displayed his class and experience in front of goal, and his ability to win the tight contests when he switched onto the ball.
Daniel Butterfield was a deservedly tired man after clocking a number of kilometers in his bid to secure the ball for his team-mates.
A knee injury to Shannon Skreja, which will likely sideline him for several weeks, was the only low light for the Magpies.
Better players for the Mid-North Coast side included Snow, who ran deep into the defence to recover the ball as well as kicking accurately in front of goal.
Funston ended the day with eight goals in an intimidating display of hard leading and strong marking.
NORTH COAST 3.1 6.6 11.12 14.14 (98)
SUMMERLAND 2.0 5.3 5.4 8.6 (54)
Goals: North Coast - D.Funston (8), S.Payne (2), T.Snow (2), J.Bencich, A.Pearson. Summerland - W.Hudon (3), C.Frangos (3), S.Wollington, A.Eldridge.
Last Modified on 22/06/2005 16:37