The Grafton Tigers strengthened their North Coast AFL premiership credentials with a gutsy five-goal win against Port Macquarie at Stuarts Park on Saturday.
It was the Settlers Inn Magpies first hit-out in three weeks but, despite a slow start, the home side had the game within their grasp late in the third quarter, only to see Grafton kick away.
Three freakish goals in succession in the dying stages of the third quarter saw the Tigers lead 12.7 (79) to 10.4 (64) at the last break.
An opening goal to Daniel Zacek in the fourth quarter signalled the end for Port.
Alex Gillman trapped his Grafton opponent midway through the fourth quarter to goal from the resultant free kick but at 99-71 down, Port’s hopes continued to slip away.
“They wanted it more, they showed more attack for the footy and they dominated around the stoppages,” Magpies coach Scott Payne said.
“They controlled the football a lot better and, in spite of that, I was surprised to see our fitness drop away in the second half as I thought we had more in our legs than what we showed late in today’s game.”
The scoreboard backed up Payne’s words — the Magpies kicking a mere three goals in the second half as the Grafton side, down to two men on the bench, finished well and truly over the top.
On the positive side for the Magpies, Matt Newton’s senior return netted five goals.
He was well supported by Matt Lill and Payne singled out Greg Dean, Jacob Hall, Jack Tate and Gillman as the better players for the home team.
Dale Beaver kicked three goals for Grafton in a Best On Ground performance and Shawn Porter (4), Zacek (3) and Evan Duryea (3) all got amongst the goals for the Tigers who have now accounted for North Coffs and the Magpies.
The Port Magpies received a forfeit in the Reserves and, given that the Under 18s had the bye, the coaching staff used the opportunity to have a scratch match between the two, with the Reserves edging out the Juniors by 15 points.
Players such as Ben Cutler, Brayden Eastwell, Sam Filleti and Sam Jonasson staked a claim for senior berths perhaps later in the season.
The Magpies have another home game this Saturday against North Coffs with Under 18s coach and Magpies General Manager, Craig Carroll, warning of another tough day for the Magpies.
“Their 18s will be the benchmark for the competition and we know their senior and reserves sides will be itching to get back into the winners’ circle,” Carroll said.“It was good to get back to footy today but I think coach Payne will have a few things to iron out on the training paddock this week; but we know this club is up to the challenge and I expect we’ll be ready come Saturday.”
