AFL North Coast- Grand Final Preview
Sawtell/Toormina v Port Macquarie
The scene is set for an epic finale to the AFL North Coast season with the Saints looking to go through undefeated against the improving Port Macquarie Magpies.
Every key indicator points to the Saints as they have won all three head-to-head encounters this year, including two big wins at their Richardson Park home.
Saying this, the five-point margin in Round 10 is as close as any side has come to the Sawtell outfit all year.
Look across the park and it is easy to see why the Saints have been such a formidable force in 2010.
Their side is littered with A-graders, especially in the midfield with Luke Matthews and Mark Couzens adding experience and contested ball-winning ability in the centre contests.
Simon Taylor and Jack Gillingham are young stars in the same mould, and they have thrived with these two veterans beside them in the clinches.
Gillingham, in particular, was best afield in the Grand Final last year, and has enjoyed another stellar year.
Ethan Kelly returns to support Courtney Tune in the ruck. They will square off against Michael Kemp who was below his best last week. He has to play well for the Magpies to break even in the midfield.
A big tick for the Magpies would be that they won last week without their stars having a major influence. In addition to Kemp, Jesse Schmidt was well-held by Levi Sands. Despite kicking the winning goal a minute from time in the one-point thriller, Schmidt was consistently behind on the lead.
The Magpies’ strength is normally their defence. The trio of Dean Nankervill, Craig Dicker and Greg Dean have oodles of experience and will need to provide strong rebound to break the Saints’ zone.
The coaching staff of Paul Sheldon and Scott Payne are two savvy football thinkers. They will surely consider playing the highly-skilled backman further up the ground as he is their premier X-factor.
It is a daunting task taking on the Saints midfield, and the Magpies have the potential to take them on in this department. Justin Mohr and Shannon Skreja are not highly-billed midfielders but put their body on the line each week and will be asked to perform another shutdown role.
Matthew Lill is almost the player of the finals to date, and has impressed everyone with his development over the past few years into a premier on-baller who can go forward and kick goals.
He has had an impact in both departments against Nambucca Valley and the Kangaroos. He will add goalkicking support to Schmidt, and also Greg Conway and Beau Hawtin.
With this said, the Saints have the edge in the attacking department and possess more avenues to goal.
Ben Hooke is their main target, while playing coach, Dave Meyers was most impressive in their last match against the Kangaroos, with five goals across half-forward.
The Saints were inaccurate in that match, but apart from that there have not been too many negatives to their season.
In comparison, Port finished third in the regular season but have timed their run to perfection. They often hold an ace up their sleeve for the finals, and at their best, they are capable of challenging any side.
However, they have been behind six of the eight quarters in the finals series. One feels the Magpies must start well to have a chance of defeating the Saints who are ruthless front-runners.
RECENT CLASHES
Round 14- Sawtell/Toormina 21.16-142 def. Port Macquarie 3.3-21
Round 10- Sawtell/Toormina 9.13-67 def. Port Macquarie 9.8-62
Round 4- Sawtell/Toormina 24.16-160 def. Port Macquarie 5.3-33
RESERVES
Sawtell/Toormina v Port Macquarie
There will be plenty of intrigue in the Reserves with Port Macquarie gunning for eight premierships in a row when they take on the Saints.
Back when they started their run Woolgoolga were still in the competition and John Howard was Prime Minister. Times have changed but still the Magpies are the side to beat in the Reserves competition.
Rick Johnson and his Sawtell comrades are hellbent on stopping the Magpies’ dominance and have a good chance as they won straight through to the Grand Final against the same opposition.
That day it was a nine-point win to the Saints as they led at every change.
Pace will be key to both sides.
The Saints will rely on Andrew Draper and Pat Myles, both of whom were impressive a fortnight ago. Kyah Schwartz will also be important in the midfield.
Port have the luxury of promoting Under 18s after their defeat in the Elimination Final. Their side will still boast a plethora of experience players.
Paul Sheldon will lead across half-back, while Anthony Beasley will be crucial in the last line of defence.
In the midfield, Gordon Wiegold and Tim Donohue have had good finals series, with Craig Carroll and Chris Gridley entrusted with kicking a winning score.
Given the nature of the Reserves competition and the rivalry between the two sides, this match promises to be tight and could well be decided late in the final quarter.
UNDER 18s
Sawtell/Toormina v North Coffs
Sawtell will start favourites in the Under 18s but will have their hands full against North Coffs.
North Coffs have been the most improved side of any in the finals series after finishing the regular season in third place.
Coach, Trent Cook has done a stellar job, but whether they can take the final step remains to be seen.
Sawtell are a strong line-up and have only lost one match, by less than a kick to Port Macquarie, all season.
Jack Gillingham and Elliott Schmitt kicked a dozen goals between them to ensure the Saints had a streamlined passage through to Grand Final day.
Both will also line up in the Senior side, so their workloads will need to be monitored.
There are no such worries for the Kangaroos, who will regain Levi Sands and towering ruckman, Nick Bailey. In a blow, they will miss Jack Campbell who set the tone for their come-from-behind against the Magpies last week.
Blake Brissett is a gun for the Saints in the midfield, while Jake Saunders is another with a promising future, as a ruckman-cum-forward option.
North Coffs will rely heavily on Nathan Harris to have an influence, and Brendan Norton to kick the bulk of the goals. He will receive support from Josh Lansdowne in the forward-half.
Match Schedule
2.35pm- Sawtell/Toormina v Port Macquarie
12.50pm- Sawtell/Toormina v Port Macquarie
11.00am- Sawtell/Toormina v North Coffs
GATES OPEN 10AM
GRAND FINAL SPRINT AT HALF-TIME OF SENIORS
$8 Adults, $4 Aged Pensioners and Under 18s, Free- Under 12s
Last Modified on 01/09/2010 20:37