AFL Report Round 12 – 14/7
Swans Face Mammoth Task
The end of the 2012 season cannot come soon enough the Coffs Swans and it does not get any easier today. The Swans face up to the red hot Sawtell/Toormina Saints who absolutely smashed North Coffs last week and who are sure to show no mercy at Richardson Park this afternoon. More interest will be in the U18 clash commencing at 11.15am where the Saints sit just outside the top four and desperately need a win today to stay in touch. In fact a win today could see them displace North Coffs who have the bye.
Swans coach Tristan Snow was frank when contacted yesterday admitting ‘We are just struggling with numbers and just to field the three sides. It is disappointing but we have our reserves and U18 in contention and our focus will be on those boys from here on in" Snow praised his tireless backline that are continually inundated week after week singling out Sam Hardes and Pete Robinson for special mention. Both will see plenty of footy today as well.
Tigers to Sharpen Claws
Grafton got away with a tight victory against Port Macquarie last week and return to Ellem Oval today with a chance to sharpen their game in readiness for the finals next month. Their opponents, North Coffs, gave Grafton a good contest when they last met but have been hit by injuries and fallen off the pace in recent weeks. Based on the numbers on the track for their final session and some key exclusions in Levi Sands and Tim Heather the Tigers should win handsomely.
Shawn Purdon returned to some form last week and Grahame Connolly was outstanding. Ryan Sheather, Kelly Thompson, Sean Duroux, Rod Davis….the list of players in form goes on. The Tigers will pretty well sew up top spot with a big win today.
AROUND THE TRAPS with Rod Macpherson
The competition is hotting up with Port Macquarie pushing top placed Grafton all the way last weekend. Port still have a couple of big names to return before the finals and with Sawtell in blistering form the competition is wide open.
Great to see AFL back at Macksville Park last week. The locals were treated to two closely fought and high quality games. Port Macquarie and Grafton traditionally hold one of their games at Macksville each season.
Sawtell forward Craig Parsons has only played a handful of games in 2012 but is averaging around eight goals a game! The competitions leading goal kicker, Lee Anderson from Grafton, rates at about half that rate. Parsons is expected to improve that strike rate if he plays today.
Great to see Grafton big man Daniel Gordon back in the side after a horrendous wrist injury a few season back saw him retire prematurely and miss out on a place in the 2011 premiership side. He looks to be enjoying being on the other end of the score line for a change.
Last Modified on 13/07/2012 13:32