|
Q1 |
Q2 |
Q3 |
Q4 |
North Coffs |
7.3 |
13.7 |
18.9 |
22.14-146 |
Coffs Swans |
1.2 |
1.2 |
4.2 |
4.3-27
|
North Coffs
Goal Kickers: S. Dawes 9, J. Wylie 5, M. Kerr 4, J. Coad 2, T. Merrick, J. O''Connor
Best Players: S. Dawes, D. Funston, J. Wylie, G. Golsby-Smith, J. Drum, M. Kerr
Coffs Swans
Goal Kickers: S. Burow, S. Turner, F. Duryea, M. Pearce
Best Players: R. Eddy, S. Day, P. Robinson, B. Ford, T. Christie, B. Miller
It was one-way traffic at the Coffs Coast Leisure Park as the Kangaroos won easily over the third-placed Coffs Swans.
The divide was evident in the early stages with North Coffs dominating the clearances to put the Swans under constant pressure.
The lead blew out by half-time with North Coffs clearing space through the corridor with Darren Funston and Josh Drum delivering well up forward.
Sam Dawes was excellent with nine goals, further demonstrating his versatility as a player. There showed the football experience which the Swans were unable to counter. They were unable to effectively get men behind the ball to slow the Kangaroos' ball movement.
The Swans were more competitive after half-time but were still well beaten with Joel Wylie also imposing himself on the scoresheet. The physicality was still in the contest, but one could tell Norths wanted the win more, especially in the last quarter where they kept their opponents to one behind.
Whilst North Coffs were high-class, the red and whites were very disappointing. With two rounds remaining and the report of coach, David Box hanging over their heads, one must have serious doubts over the Swans ability to challenge in the finals.
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
Sawtell/Toormina 4.4 9.5 13.10 19.12-125
Nambucca Valley 0.0 2.1 2.1 2.1-13
Sawtell/Toormina
Goal Kickers: T. Chuhaj 6, B. Hooke 4, C. Tune 2, L. Cohen 2, J. Gillingham 2, D. Pritchard, D. Johnson, D. Crossley
Best Players: D. Pritchard, M. Couzens, D. Johnson, L. Cohen, A. Draper, T. Chuhaj
Nambucca Valley
Goal Kickers: R. McGrath, S. Grigson
Best Players: J. Angel, M. Schmidt, R. McGrath, R. Copeland, D. Linares
It was a similar story at Macksville Park, with the Saints continuing their glory run with a comprehensive win over Nambucca Valley.
The Saints kept the Lions scoreless in the first quarter and extended their lead into half-time despite giving up the only two goals of the game to their opponents.
Daniel Pritchard was again strong for the Saints and gained support from Mark Couzens. Daniel Johnson continued his comeback with an impressive display which bodes well for Sawtell's finals chances.
Without the Matthews' brothers, the Saints were never headed and kicked the only ten goals in a stale second-half. Tim Chuhaj presented well and kicked six goals, whilst Ben Hooke bagged another four majors for the premiership favourites.
Nambucca were well-served by Jim Angel and Monty Schmidt but were unable to truly test the supreme Sawtell outfit that set themselves up for a tricky encounter against Grafton next weekend.
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
Port Macquarie 4.4 10.9 15.13 24.20-164
Grafton 0.2 4.4 5.7 6.7-43
Port Macquarie
Goal Kickers: J Schmidt 7, D Nankervill 5, M Lill 3, D McNeill 3, C Miechel 2, G Wiegold 2, A Bagnall, M Long
Best Players: M Kemp, T Donohue, G Dean, J Schmidt, M Lill, S Skreja
Grafton
Goal Kickers: S Purton 5, D Zacek
Best Players: W Darby, Z Edwards, K Thompson, R Sheather, D Beaver
Port Macquarie put out their best performance of the year and have all but sewn up a finals berth with an 121-point win over Grafton at Stuart Park.
With a spot in the finals up for grabs, it was Port who took the initiative in a tense opening quarter. They managed to keep the travelling Tigers' goalless, with Michael Kemp and Tim Donohue dominating through the middle.
Always finding a way to creep into the finals, the Magpies kept the momentum heading in the second-half to extend their lead against a disappointing Grafton who made the long trip confident of victory after pushing North Coffs at home last week.
Shawn Purton was the only multiple goalkicker, and was outgunned at the other end by Jesse Schmidt, with the young gun returning to form with seven majors. He got good support from Dean Nankervill, with Matthew Lill and Shannon Skreja also influencial in setting up the big win.
Grafton now need to win their final two games to have any hope of making the finals under the match ratio system, whilst Port will have another important game at Fitzroy Oval next week against the Swans, in what is destined to be the curtain-raiser for the upcoming Elimination Final.
Last Modified on 26/07/2009 14:08