AFL Report Round 11 – 5/7
The Run Home
There are only four rounds of home and away rounds left, after today, and the premiership race is down to three real contenders. The Sawtell Saints, Port Macquarie and Grafton are the only realistic chances in the senior grade. In reserve grade it is more open but again the top three Port, Camden Haven and Sawtell look to be the big chances while in U18 grade the Port Magpies are clearly the side to beat. Having said that the Coffs Swans are not far off the pace and on any given day each of five teams could surprise.
This afternoon the Port Magpies and the Camden Haven Bombers go head to head in Port Macquarie in what has already developed into a fierce rivalry. The Bombers are a pseudo breakaway from the Pies and the cuts of separation run deep. Up at Grafton the Tigers are hosting the Coffs Swans in a do or die contest with the loser of this reserve grade fixture almost destined to sit out the finals in 2013. At Leisure Park North Coffs is home to Sawtell with the U18 game set to be the highlight at 11.15am. The Kangaroos must win to stay alive while the Saints are clinging on to fourth spot and holding them at bay. This will be a close one. Not so in the senior same where the undermanned Roos suffered another cruel blow last weekend losing their playing coach Mick Young to a season ending ankle injury. The Saints will win this in a canter. The senior game starts at 1.30pm.
AROUND THE TRAPS with ‘Rocket’ Rod Macpherson
AFL North Coast 2.0?
Behind closed doors representatives of the AFLNC Board are holding talks with rival codes and close neighbours as they investigate a blueprint for a relaunch of the code on the North Coast in 2014 and beyond. Board delegates Brad Greenshields and Heather Coutts are working with junior and senior league presidents across the region in search of a refreshed model to take to the clubs and the full board later this year. It goes without saying that the competition needs a change.
The Secret is Out
South of the Kempsey bypass Craig (Crackers) Carroll, Port Macquarie U18 coach, has been secretly assembling a young Magpie outfit that is shaping as one of the best ever junior sides to play on the coast. The speed and precision with which this side moves the ball is amazing. While they ooze individual talent in the likes of Tom Dickson, Darren Bourke and Isaac Brambley it is the way they mesh as a team that has me tipping this group to go all the way this year. This side would be in the finals mix in the senior fixture!
Old Foes in Merger Talks
I never thought that I would see the day. Peter Morgan would turn in his grave and David Velt would tear any remaining grey hair from his head but it is happening. The Coffs Swans and North Coffs have reportedly held preliminary talks about some form of possible merger or joint venture. Details are sketchy but both Coffs Harbour teams have struggled in recent years and are faced with the reality that the city can only support one competitive first grade team. Crikey, a couple of years ago if you had put people from Norths and Swans in one room you would have had a riot!
Last Modified on 05/07/2013 12:34