AFL Report Round 3 – 27/4
Tigers Come to Town
The AFLNC juggernaut that is the Grafton Tigers rolls in to Leisure Park this afternoon looking to add the scalp of North Coffs to its belt. Gone are the days when the Tigers struggled to get enough troops to make the road trip for away games. Coach Adi Campbell has turned the club around and the smell of success has them hungry for more glory. Last round the Tigers debuted another new face in Charles Fish who booted a bag of goals. The club hopes that Fish can at least partially compensate for the loss of elite premiership forward Dan Zacek. He certainly has big boots to fill. Shawn Purton stepped up booting 5 majors as well and in that form, both will provide real challenges for the smaller Kangaroos defence.
Roo’s coach Mick Young played forward against the struggling Swans last week, helping himself to 9 goals, but don’t be surprised to see him floating across half back at some stage today. North Coffs are improving but the Tigers are hardened and should take the points.
Swans in Crisis
The Coffs Swans have dropped a bombshell during the week advising the league executive that they were not sending a senior side to Port Macquarie this weekend. Club spokesman Alan Clayton advised that the club is financially sound and has strong U18 and reserve sides but has been unable to secure quality recruits to the senior side in 2013. Some recent long term injuries have also compounded their situation. There are now doubts about the club’s ability to continue with a senior side this season and the league is awaiting a full report from the club.
Clayton said that the Swans remain upbeat about 2014 and already have feelers out to recruit key playing personnel and fully intend to reinstate a senior team as soon as possible. This is a major concern for the league to see one of the foundation clubs in crisis and will no doubt dominate discussions within local AFL over coming weeks.
AROUND THE TRAPS with ‘Rocket’ Rod Macpherson
Coaching Change at Port
Mick Tritton has stepped down as senior coach at Port Macquarie and handed the reins to Scott Abercrombie. Tritton cited personal reasons for his decision. He hopes to continue to be involved at the club and remains on the executive as Vice President. Abercrombie was sharing coaching duties in any case and the swap was handled seamlessly.
Impressive Family Pedigree
Phil Burgoyne made his senior debut for Port Macquarie last week and quickly displayed the silky skills associated with close relative and current AFL star Sean Burgoyne (Hawthorn). A classy left footer Burgoyne is a very handy pick up for the Magpies and improves their attacking options in the absence of Matt Newton. Newton is concentrating on triathlon and has reportedly dropped 10kg on his 2012 playing weight. Who needs Jenny Craig!
Chadwick Gets the Nod
Peter Chadwick has been reappointed as coach of the North Coast representative side to play Tamworth League on 18th May at Port Macquarie. Chadwick has coached the past four rep fixtures and is excited about some of the new talent running around in 2013. He and fellow selectors Jamie Coad, Scott Abercrombie and myself will announce a squad in early May.
Last Modified on 30/04/2013 09:31