PORT Macquarie Magpies are on the cusp of a history-making premiership quadrella in this year’s North Coast AFL competition.
In one of the club’s finest achievements, the high-flying Magpies will line up in four senior Grand Finals this weekend, with an opportunity to etch the club’s name in the record books.
All roads lead to Coffs C.ex International Stadium this Friday night when the Magpies’ all-conquering under-18 boys team squares off with Coffs Breakers/Nambucca Valley from 7pm in the trophy decider.
The Port Macquarie club also features in the senior men, reserve grade and senior women’s grand finals on Saturday at the same venue.
Club president Dirk Sheldon told News Of The Area that the Magpies had captured the imagination of the local sporting public with their outstanding deeds on the AFL field.
“There is a real buzz and excitement around the club this week as we prepare for a huge grand final program,” the Magpies stalwart said.
“We have built a strong culture and talent pool over the years. Now we’re reaping the dividends.”
Port Macquarie’s powerful senior men’s team finished minor premiers and will lock horns with Coffs Breakers in the trophy decider at 1pm.
They go into the title decider as firm favourites after slamming the Breakers 77-53 in their recent qualifying final clash at Fitzroy Oval.
After a slow start to the season due to key injuries, the Magpies have hit their straps and are now firing on all cylinders.
The team is playing fast, running, attacking football, driven by a strong youth movement and genuine team-first mentality.
Players to watch include the competition’s premier midfielder Thomas Cargill, who’s tipped to win the North Coast AFL’s Best and Fairest Award, along with dominant full forward Shane Williams, the Magpies co‑coach and seniors captain and the League’s leading goal-kicker with 58 goals.
Other key players include club legend Jesse Schmidt, a life member with 300 games under his belt; backline ace Ned Bylsma; midfield guns Sullivan Foot, Braeden Fuller and Hayden Comber; defender and back up ruck Oakley Addison; key ruck Darren Boulet; Blake Suter, who has locked down centre half back with high flying marks and strong defensive work, and consistent backline/midfield contributor Cooper Sheldon, a former under-18s representative skipper who puts his body on the line.
The Magpies are tipped to win the under-18s boys title and finish the season undefeated.
They meet Coffs Breakers/Nambucca Valley in the trophy decider and boast five outstanding prospects in Isaac Luke, tough utility Harley Cottom, elusive forward-midfielder Eddie Redfern, forward Mitchell White and defender Riley Bates.
Young gun Luke has elite pace and made his VFL debut for the Sydney Swans this season.
All five have been valuable contributors to the Magpies first-grade squad this season and have bright futures in the sport.
Port Macquarie’s reserve grade line-up finished minor premiers and have shown the club’s depth and versatility with over 40 players considered for selection. They meet Coffs Breakers in the Grand Final at 9.20am.
Key players include livewire forward and league-leading goal kicker Brendan Badencoch; midfield ace Seb Collard; centre half back/fullback Liam Arnold; small forward Cody Hill; reliable Jackman Justin Nelson; hard-running midfielder Will Suosaari; and Fletch Irwin, Matt Lill and Craig Dicker.
Port Macquarie senior women line up against Sawtell/Toormina in the trophy decider at 11.10am.
Key Magpies players include Gab Mooney, team skipper and one of the best midfielders in the competition; multiple Best and Fairest recipient Ellie Ryan; talented ruck/centre half back Olivia Jogever, and reliable fullback Scarlett Simmons.
The Junior Magpies Pathway is the foundation of the club’s success.
A testimony of the program’s strength is that six Magpies junior teams also feature in grand finals this weekend in the under-13 girls, under-17 girls, two under-14 boys and under-16 boys categories.
By Chris KARAS
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