AFL Report Round Finals Week 2– 17/8
Grand Final Qualifier
Finally the showdown that we were all waiting for! Port Macquarie and Sawtell/Toormina going head to head with near full strength lists for a place in the 2013 AFLNC grand final. Hallelujah!
To date results between the two are split and went with home ground advantage but at the neutral CEX International Stadium today we will finally get a feel for which side deserves premiership favouritism. To be fair the Magpies do have all grades playing today which will test their depth. Regardless this is a play off for a grand final spot and neither club has offered excuses. Sawtell coach Russ Matthews has the luxury of naming his best side of the season with only Ben Hooke (bicept) unavailable. The big news is the inclusion of Matthews’ young son and star midfielder Todd who has returned from WA and been declared fit to play. He may be short of match fitness but not class. Nathan Wheelan also makes a welcome return from Victoria.
For the Magpies big men Michael Kemp and Brayden Eastwell are likely outs with Ben Hennessy (season) and of course they have all grades playing. Port coach Scott Abercrombie, who may still be called up to the bench from the reserves himself, offered no excuses. "We had our best training sessions this week. It’s finals. No excuses" Port finished on top of the ladder having won more games than any other side. They are fit and they are hungry. Port has a couple out while Sawtell will have a couple underdone. Too close to call for me so get out and watch this one.
Fellow southern club Camden Haven play Port in the reserves in what should be another excellent game of football starting at 1pm. No love lost here I can tell you. In U18’s the undefeated Port Magpies look too good for the Coffs Swans but again this is finals. Buckle up.
AROUND THE TRAPS with ‘Rocket’ Rod Macpherson
Sportsmanship Alive and Well
My hat goes off to Sawtell U18 coach Tim Myles. Last weekend his side had 16 players against a depleted Camden Haven side with only 13 fit players. Rules allow each side to play up to a maximum of 16 on the field but Myles opted to play even numbers to improve the contest. This almost backfired as the Bombers hit the lead late into the last quarter only to be run down by Sawtell in the shadow of full time. Good to his word the Saints kept even numbers until the end. This made for a fantastic game and was appreciated by all. Well done Tim.
Kanngaroos Bow out in Style
They had not trained for a month and were expected to get beaten by 200 points but North Coffs Kangaroos bounced out of the blocks booting the first three goals against their much more fancied opponents, Grafton, in last weeks first semi final. While their condition fell away as the game wore on their vigour and energy at the contest did not. Darren ‘Freddy’ Funston turned back the clock with a stellar display at full forward booting three goals and handing off a couple of others. Lets all hope that this is not the last we see of the North Coffs Kangaroos who are struggling to stay afloat.
AFL Discussion Paper gets the Nod
The AFLNC Board has signed off on a discussion paper summarising a number of initiatives put forward by various AFLNC stakeholders with a view to reinvigorate the competition. The paper is set to be distributed shortly to clubs for further feedback before all clubs gather to discuss and agree actions for 2014 and beyond. The league hopes to have any changes agreed in time for the AGM in late October for implementation in the 2014 season. The paper will be up on the AFLNC website shortly and further feedback is welcomed.
Last Modified on 16/08/2013 17:03