THE Sawtell/Toormina Saints have had a big confidence boost heading into the finals series after smashing the Port Macquarie Magpies in the final round of the AFL North Coast season.
The Saints showed their premiership winning credentials and intent in a 17.9 (111) to 6.12 (48) win against the Magpies at Richardson Park.
It was a special afternoon for the club, as the Saints celebrated their 40th anniversary and held a reunion for former premiership teams.
The current Saints seniors got off to a flyer in their final round match, leading 29-3 at quarter time.
The Saints continued the onslaught in the second quarter, as the goals continued to flow for the home side as they took a 61-23 lead into half-time.
The Saints continued their dominance into the premiership quarter with their run and carry and forward 50 efficiency shredding Port to pieces, as they kicked six goals to one for the quarter to take an unassailable 99-30 lead into the final break.
Saints player-coach Brandt Lee said it was good preparation as they get ready to face the Magpies once again in this weekend’s Preliminary Final.
“The thing for us today was we haven’t played footy in a few weeks with washouts and byes, so we just wanted to come back and get into form, and we talked about it at training all week; train like we’re going to play a peak performance, because now is the time to start peaking,” he said.
“We know that finals are a totally different game, and we know that they are going to be ten times better, so they are going to be red hot and we are expecting a response from them.”
Lee said it was special to get the win in front of the club’s former premiership players.
“We’re just happy that we got a big turnout today for our 40th year reunion, and we wanted to put on a show for the older boys and let them know that Sawtell is still the successful club that they left it,” he said.
“2018 was our last premiership, and it was 40 years watching us today, but this season is ours.”
By Aiden BURGESS
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