There will be two things the Port Magpies are praying for this Saturday in Round 3 of the North Coast AFL competition — sunshine and a home crowd with a good memory.
Due to recent washouts and public holidays, the Settler’s Inn Magpies will run on to Stuarts Park this weekend, having not had a hit-out in 20 days.
It won’t take long for a wake-up call though, as Grafton Tigers travel south with First and Reserve Grade units with early 2011 season form on the board.
The Tigers proved in Round 1 they will be no pushovers this year, beating North Coffs by four goals — a rare and impressive away victory.
Magpie coach Scott Payne is confident that the Magpies can get their season back on track.
“We are determined to start focusing on football this week and our season starts again and watching the likes of Rod Sonagan, Hayden Kennedy, and Ethan Durbridge on the training paddock has been an encouraging sign for us,” Payne said.
The Norco Milk Under 18s have the bye this week which will also mean that a number of their young and rising stars will be fresh for First Grade action.
The CSR Reserve Grade Magpies will be looking to get their season back on track as well, having already put Coffs Swans to the sword in Round 1. Grafton, on paper, shape as a probable victory as the Tigers went down to North Coffs in Round 1 by seven goals.
The Reserve Grade Pies will be looking for their senior players to step up, such as Craig Carroll, Anthony Beasley, Troy Kelly, Ray Grimson and John Stangherlin to make sure the next generation of Magpie stars coming through are well versed in the winning Magpie culture.
The action at Stuarts Park this Saturday starts at 1pm with the Reserve Grade clash, followed by seniors at 2.30pm.
In other North Coast AFL Round 3 Senior fixtures, Nambucca takes on North Coffs at Macksville and the match of the round is Sawtell versus the Coffs Swans at Richardson Park.
