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Q1
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Q2
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Q3
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Q4
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Port Macquarie
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1.1
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4.2
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8.3
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13.5-83
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Nambucca Valley
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2.1
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6.4
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8.8
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10.9-69
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Port Macquarie
Goal Kickers: M. Kemp 4, G. Conway 3, B. Hawtin 2, D. Nankivell, M. Lill, C. Miechel, L. Carroll
Best Players: M. Kemp, M. Lill, G. Dean, B. Hawtin, D. Nankivell, L. Carroll
Nambucca Valley
Goal Kickers: E. Linares 3, M. Schmidt 2, R. McGrath 2, T. Baade, J. Boatfield, B. Wilkes
Best Players: M. Schmidt, A. Clarke, J. Angel, J. Ellis-Cluff, T. Baade, B. Wilkes
They were far from impressive but Port Macquarie managed to progress to the Preliminary Final after a 14-point win against a spirited Nambucca Valley at BCU International Stadium.
In a true finals match, the pressure and desperation from both sides was a highlight, as the momentum swung numerous times before the experience of Port Macquarie came to the fore.
Nambucca started the stronger and showed all the form that took them into this clash against their more-fancied opponents. Aaron Clarke was symbolic of the Lions’ start as he had a presence in the ruck, managing to cover the absence of first-choice big man, Mick Townsend.
Captain, Monty Schmidt was also exceptional for the Lions. Rounding off his stellar year, Schmidt played with tenacity in the midfield and was able to pinpoint Eric Linares and Ray McGrath, who were the main targets for the Lions going forward.
The tide started to turn after half-time, with Port Macquarie kicking four goals to trail by less than a straight kick heading into the final change.
Michael Kemp began to gain superiority in the ruck and was starting to become the difference, as he became a goal-kicking target for the Magpies.
Nambucca began to stall, and despite the best efforts of Jimmy Angel down back, the Lions became more ill-disciplined and began to leak goals.
Things didn’t get any better in the final quarter for the Lions. They became paralysed and retreated to defence, as Eric Linares was more often than not their only attacking player inside their forward arc.
In direct comparison, the Magpies resorted to attack to win the game. While carrying a leg injury and being far from fit, Dean Nankervill was shifted to the wing and gave the Magpies further drive, along with Matthew Lill.
They dictated terms and despite the brain-snap from Justin Mohr that saw him spend ten minutes in the sin-bin, the Magpies always looked like they would finish the stronger.
Nambucca were courageous but lacked the killer instinct to put the Magpies away after half-time. On the other side of the fence, Port have a lot of improvement to make ground on their next opponent but will be a better side when they regain Jesse Schmidt and Shannon Skreja for their match in a fortnight .
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Q1
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Q2
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Q3
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Q4
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Grafton
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1.1
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3.3
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4.4
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6.6-42
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North Coffs
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5.2
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6.2
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9.3
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10.4-64
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Grafton
Goal Kickers: J. Chevalley 2, A. Vassallo, G. Blackwell, J. Bagnall, K. O'Malley
Best Players: D. McGregor, K. Thompson, W. Bagnall, K. Windred, R. Sheather, K. O'Malley
North Coffs
Goal Kickers: B. Beer 4, J. Coad 2, N. Harris 2, B. Norton, N. Bailey
Best Players: L. Miller, B. Beer, P. Walsh, N. Bailey, T. Joseph, C. McCoy
North Coffs sprung a mini-upset in the Reserves, downing the Tigers by 22 points.
The end margin flattered the Tigers who were outclassed by a side that realistically, made the finals by default after the Swans withdrew their side from the competition.
However, the club showed their strength and depth with an impressive display that made the Tigers look slow on the big ground.
Lachlan Miller and Brayden Beer provided speed through the middle and were clearly the best players on the ground.
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Q1
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Q2
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Q3
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Q4
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North Coffs
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1.0
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4.2
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10.6
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14.8-92
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Coffs Swans
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0.0
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1.1
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1.1
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2.2-14
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North Coffs
Goal Kickers: B. Norton 4, J. Lansdowne 3, N. Harris 2, J. Campbell, D. Homan, R. Close, L. Sands, B. Foster
Best Players: L. Sands, N. Harris, B. Norton, D. Booth, N. Bailey, M. Waterhouse
Coffs Swans
Goal Kickers: B. Morgan, N. Stubbs
Best Players: D. Pearce, N. Stubbs, N. Hinton, S. Turner
North Coffs also knocked the Coffs Swans out of the finals race in the Under 18s with relative ease after their 78-point win.
While the Swans held sway in the opening half against relentless pressure and forward-50 entries, the Kangaroos kicked away in the second-half.
It was a weak way for the Swans to exit, as they had no answers for the Kangaroos dominance.
Darby Pearce tried hard but was eventually outclassed by the likes of Levi Sands, Nathan Harris and Brendan Norton, who all played well for the victors.
Last Modified on 15/08/2010 11:50