North Coffs
Goal Kickers: L. Henschke 3, J. O'Connor 3, T. Heather 3, J. Wylie 2, D. Funston 2, S. Dawes, M. Kerr, M. Crispe
Best Players: B.Giri, T. Cook, M. Gleeson, D. Funston, T. Merrick, S. Dawes
Coffs Swans
Goal Kickers: S. Morgan 3, S. Turner, W. Hickey, R. Eddy, N. Millard
Best Players: R. Eddy, D. Elks, S. Turner, D. Colman, D. Box, P. Robinson
The Kangaroos extended their lead at the top of the AFL North Coast ladder with a comfortable win over the Coffs Swans.
The competition leaders led at every stage to down their plucky opposition in front of a parochial crowd at the Coffs Coast Leisure Park. Brad Giri was impressive in the middle as his side jumped to a solid lead going into half-time.
The honest performance by the Swans was typified as they matched North Coffs after the break but the damage had been done. Rob Eddy and Damien Elks served the undermanned Swans well across half-back.
In an even contribution up forward, Luke Henschke and Jordan O'Connor led an impressive 'Roos attack. Trent Cook and Darren Funston were also solid in a team performance that will serve the side well as the season progresses.
Grafton
Goal Kickers: D. Beaver 8, S. Onus 4, G. Blackwell 3, H. O''Toole 2, D. Zacek 2, Z. Edwards, T. Whalan, J. Walder, D. Cameron
Best Players: T. Whalan, D. Zacek, B. Kurtzman, D. Cameron, Z. Edwards, D. Beaver
Port Macquarie
Goal Kickers: J. Schmidt 6, D. Nankivell 2, M. Harvey, G. Wiegold, J. Mohr, C. Miechel
Best Players: L. Long, M. Kemp, M. Harvey, D. Hammond, J. Hall, J. Schmidt
Grafton notched up their first win of the season with a comprehensive 82 point win over Port Macquarie at home.
The opening quarter was a shootout with a dozen goals kicked as Grafton jumped to a narrow lead. It was the second quarter where Grafton asserted their dominance to double Port's score by half-time.
The midfield division set up the win with Daniel Zacek and Tim Whalan strong in the middle for the victors. Dale Beaver was dynamic up forward and gained strong support from Scott Onus and coach, Grahame Blackwell. Jesse Schmidt asserted his stance as the premier goalkicking forward of the competition with six goals.
Luke Long and Mark Harvey were again Port's best in an inconsistent team showing.
However, it was to be Grafton's day as they held their nerve after half-time with a strong final quarter cementing a well-deserved win.
Nambucca Valley
Goal Kickers: J. Boatfield 2, R. McGrath, E. Linares, D. Cameron, A. Clarke, D. Roscoe, N. Cohen
Best Players: R. McGrath, M. Schmidt, A. Clarke, N. Cohen, J. Angel, R. Copeland
Sawtell/Toormina
Goal Kickers: B. Hooke 5, L. Matthews 4, T. Chuhaj 3, T. Matthews 2, D. Beveridge 2, M. Elliott 2, L. Cohen, M. Couzens, E. Kelly, S. Matthews, D. Pritchard
Best Players: L. Matthews, T. Matthews, M. Couzens, T. Chuhaj, L. Cohen, M. Elliott
The Saints took another step towards their title defence with an impressive display over Nambucca Valley at Macksville Park.
Sawtell shot out to an early first-quarter lead with the midfield clicking into gear. Going into half-time, the defending premiers took their foot off the pedal as both sides kicked three goals apiece in a more even contest.
An honest appraisal at the break saw the Saints regain their dominance with Luke Matthews and Mark Couzens leading the way. Both were particularly impressive in delivering to a hard-leading forward line led by Les Cohen and Ben Hooke. Todd Matthews was also potent around half-forward for his side.
Nambucca were again patchy and matched Sawtell as several stages. Coach, Ray McGrath led from the front but inevitably, it was the skill of the Saints that was the deciding factor.
Last Modified on 09/05/2009 22:19