SENIORS
Sawtell/Toormina 14.16-100 def. Coffs Swans 9.6-60
Sawtell/Toormina
Goal Kickers D. Meyers 2, S. Matthews 2, B. Hooke 2, L. Cohen 2, D. Bienefelt, H. Schmidt, J. Hardy, L. Draper-Bell, T. Chuhaj, T. McCormick
Best Players M. Couzens, C. Tune, T. Matthews, T. McCormick, L. Cohen, J. Hardy
Coffs Swans
Goal Kickers S. Adams 2, E. Duryea 2, D. Box, F. Duryea, S. Morgan, W. Hickey, P. Chadwick
Best Players P. Chadwick, W. Hickey, S. Adams, R. Eddy, A. Landini
Umpires: L Turner, Staniforth, Berrigan
The Saints ensured they booked a place in all grades of the Grand Final with a comprehensive win over the Coffs Swans at BCU Stadium.
Sawtell were dominant from start to finish and were as good as the Swans were poor. The red and whites were unable to handle the finals pressure and lacked the vigour and intensity needed to compete from the opening siren.
The Saints jumped out the blocks, courtesy of their midfield division which ran rampant and put the Swans under unrelenting pressure. Les Cohen was dynamic across half-forward and looked even more dangerous with the return of Ben Hooke at full-forward. It was only a couple of goals against the run of play that kept the Swans in touch at the end of the first term.
Sawtell went on with the job in the second quarter, kicking four goals to one. Courtney Tune was superior in the ruck, with Mark Couzens, who was influential throughout the contest, imposing himself to give the Saints a big lead at half-time. Tristan McCormick was composed under pressure and was dangerous around the ground.
The Swans were more competitive after half-time with Shane Adams causing some problems across half-forward. Peter Chadwick tried to inspire his team but found little support as Todd Matthews and Jai Hardy were also among those to rack up the possessions and dominate field position. Daniel Pritchard was again successful in shutting down Swans dangerman, Evan Duryea, and as a result, the Swans lacked flair and weren't able to ask enough questions of the Saints.
The damage had been done going into the final term, with the minor premiers notching another consecutive win and strengthening their odds-on favouritism. The Swans were well off the mark and will find it difficult bouncing back in a do-or-die clash against North Coffs.
RESERVES
Sawtell/Toormina 12.3-75 def. Port Macquarie 6.6-42
Sawtell/Toormina
Goal Kickers S. Prior 5, P. Myles 2, E. Schmitt 2, S. Johnston, S. Jackson, K. Schwartz
Best Players S. Prior, S. Johnston, K. Schwartz, E. Brogmus, S. Jackson, C. Thwaite
Port Macquarie
Goal Kickers J. Murray 2, G. Hawtin, P. Sheldon, G. Wiegold, S. Jackson
Best Players R. Arantz, C. Gridley, G. Wiegold, R. Wright, D. Hammond, M. Long
Umpires: Upfield, Macpherson, Supple
In a controversial match, it was the Saints who reigned surpreme over a valiant Port outfit.
A player count against Sawtell/Toormina will ensure there is more discussion during the week. In the match, however, the Saints overcame a first-quarter deficit to score a comfortable victory.
Scott Prior's bag of five goals highlighted the Saints efficiency in front of goals, kicking only three behinds. Sam Johnston showed he is dangerous and was a strong contributor for the victors.
Players with seniors experience, in Kyah Schwartz, Eugene Brogmus and Steve Jackson were among the Saints best, as Robert Arantz and Chris Gridley tried their best to keep the 'Pies in the contest.
Inevitably, the middle half of the match was where the Saints got their break, keeping the 'Pies to only one goal in the second and third terms.
UNDER 18s
Sawtell/Toormina 13.10-88 def. Coffs Swans 4.6-30
Sawtell/Toormina
Goal Kickers S. Lane 4, E. Schmitt 3, B. Brissett 2, D. Burkitt 2, D. Shipley, S. Taylor
Best Players B. Brissett, E. Kelly, D. Klaasson, D. Crossley, D. Burkitt, J. Gillingham
Coffs Swans
Goal Kickers D. Bear, S. Turner, F. Duryea, R. Bear
Best Players F. Duryea, S. Turner, B. Ford, D. Pearce
Umpires: Maasaad, Bellamy, Wood
Sawtell inflicted the Swans their first loss of the season in a heated Under 18s encounter.
Five players were sin-binned during the encounter but in the match it was the Saints who dominated from start to finish.
Ineffiency in front of goal cost Sawtell a greater lead in the first quarter where the Swans were short of personnel. The second and third quarters saw the Saints make their move, with better tactics and movement of the football the highlight of their play.
One watching the match could notice the cohesion amongst the Saints squad dominating against some individual play adopted by the Swans. The Swans made costly errors and took a low key approach into the match, allowing the Saints to take full advantage.
Ethan Kelly was strong in the ruck and around the ground, as Blake Brissett continued his emergence as a future star. Jack Gillingham and Simon Taylor didn't shine for the Saints, as others took the opportunity to rise to the occasion. Daniel Klaasson and Daniel Crossley provided spark for the Saints and frustrated their Swans' opponents.
Fraser Duryea was easily the best for the Swans, provoking many advances by the Saints, whilst Sam Turner was good with his use of the football.
The Saints were far too good and made the best possible statement to the Swans leading into the business end of the season.
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Last Modified on 17/08/2008 14:13