Round 13 or the North Coast AFL competition saw competition leaders Grafton Tigers dish out a thumping to the 2nd placed Port Macquarie Magpies at Ellem Oval on Saturday 30th July.
With the Tigers fielding a almost full strength side for what was expected to be a tough encounter against the 2nd ranked side on the ladder, but due to the Magpies travelling with a depleted team, the game didn’t provide the pre-final challenge the Grafton men had prepared for.
As has been the way for most of this season, the Tigers took a huge physiological advantage early by totally dominating the first quarter by booting 7 majors while the Magpies were only able to squeeze 2 goals past the solid Grafton defensive line to trail the Tigers by 29 at the first change.
One of the issues coach Adi Campbell has been concerned about all year is the Tigers inability to keep the pressure on in the second quarter of most of their matches this season, and again, the Magpies were able to fight back in this term, however due to some inaccurate kicking by the Pies for 7 one pointers, the Tigers were able to extend their lead by kicking 6 goals to Ports 2 to lead at half time by 49.
The third quarter saw Grafton again dominating the play, midfielders Sammy Morrison and “Hooky” Davis were unstopable around the stoppages and able to supply plenty of ball forward to the hungry Tigers forward line of Evan Duryea, Shawn Purton, and Sean Duroux who all marked strongly all game, with the every player in the side working well together, the Tigers martched out to a 81 point gap to lead at the final break, 122 to 41.
From there the Tigers were able to coast home, kicking another 5 goals before the final siren while the Magpies were able to put together some strong plays and add 4 goals, again some inaccurate kicking and pressure by Grafton led to 6 behinds for Port.
Final Scores:
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1QG
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1QB
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2QG
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2QB
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3QG
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3QB
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4QG
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4QB
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PTS
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Grafton
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7
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3
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13
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6
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18
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14
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23
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21
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159
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Port Macquarie
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2
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4
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4
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11
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5
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11
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9
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17
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71
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Grafton
Goal Kickers: J. Sheather 3, S. Duroux 3, S. Purton 3, E. Duryea 2, T. Whalan 2, D. Zacek 2, D. Beaver 2, J. Darby , S. Morrison , J. Meade , W. Bagnall , R. Davis , L. Hayman
Best Players: R. Davis, J. Meade, S. Morrison, J. Sheather, R. Sheather, L. Hayman
Port Macquarie
Goal Kickers: D. Nankivell 4, K. Lynch 2, J. Connell , M. Lill , A. Gillman
Best Players: D. Nankivell, A. Gillman, H. Kennedy, M. Lill, R. Horton
The win also secured Graftons first minor premiership in the clubs 28 year history and provides the Tigers with a huge confidence boost with the finals nearly upon us.
On a less positive note for the Tigers, Rick Hayman’s depleated second-graders had a convincing 17.7 (109) to 5.4 (34) defeat against their Magpies counterparts.
Robbie Linnet had a dominant game through the mid-field while Simon Wilson and Rod Newman bagged 2 goals each.
Luke Butler was a constant danger for the opposition and the likes of Andy Lolback, and Kelly Thompson contributed strongly.
Final Scores:
Grafton 2.1 3.1 4.4 5.4 (34)
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Port Macquarie 3.2 7.5 10.5 17.7 (109)
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Grafton
Goal Kickers: S. Wilson 2, R. Newman 2, A. Lollback
Best Players: R. Linnett, S. Wilson, L. Buttler, J. Carnley, A. Lollback, K. Thompson
Port Macquarie
Goal Kickers: C. Carroll 5, E. Durbridge 3, J. Stangherlin 2, B. Kennedy 2, C. Gridley , G. Wiegold , A. Beasley , M. Clark , R. Moore
Best Players: A. Beasley, D. Beasley, E. Durbridge, S. Fitzgerald, C. Gridley, C. Carroll
Last Modified on 15/08/2011 10:18