AFL is without doubt the fastest-growing football code across the national at present and the Hastings is not immune to the extraordinary growth the sport is enjoying.
This is evidenced by the success of both the senior and junior clubs of the Port Macquarie Magpies as they feature prominently in their respective grand finals this weekend.
The Port Macquarie juniors once again attracted record numbers of registrations across all age groups, including the very popular Auskick program designed for the mini-Magpies.
This Sunday will decide the competitive divisions of the Mid-North Coast Junior AFL with premierships up for grabs in both the under 13s and under 15s (under 11s remain non-competitive).
The Port Macquarie junior club is guaranteed a flag in the under 13s as the two teams they field in this age group will compete in the decider.
Port Macquarie Black goes into the match as favourites as the dominant side in the competition and with form behind them.
However, Port Macquarie White will be comfortable with its “underdog” tag and won’t be too worried about reputations as they look to cause an upset.
Either way, it’s a “win-win” result for the club.
In the under 15s, the powerful Camden Haven Bombers won the minor premiership and booked their spot in the final, firstly with a thrilling win over the Macleay Valley Eagles (in extra-time after scores were locked at full-time).
Port Macquarie Black managed to defeat the Eagles at Stuart Park last weekend and needs to be at their very best to knock off the Bombers.
This game is certain to represent a wonderful display of high-quality AFL, testimony to the development of the game at the junior level on the Mid-North Coast.
While the season ended for the Magpies’ exciting under 18s on Saturday, both the reserve and first grade teams take on the undefeated Sawtell-Toormina Saints for the 2010 AFL North Coast premierships.
The reserves will be looking to extend their historic run of eight years in succession this Saturday and, while they’re yet to defeat the Saints in 2010, all preliminary matches have been decided by 15 points or less.
“We’re not too worried about what happened in the other games this season as there’s only one result that matters,” captain-coach Paul Sheldon said.
In the top grade, the Magpies advanced to the grand final with victory over North Coffs Kangaroos by a single point for the second time this year.
While the Saints go into the game as red-hot favourites, the Magpies are the only team, which challenged them in the home and away competition and aren’t without the capacity to cause an upset.
If you’ve done the maths, you’ll have worked out the Port Macquarie AFL Football Club fielded a total of seven competitive teams in 2010 and has managed to progress five of them to contest in this weekend’s deciders (with the other two featuring in finals matches).
An extraordinary effort and further evidence of the popularity the game continues to enjoy in what was traditionally rugby league heartland.