WET weather footy is always a tough proposition, especially in your first game of the season.
But the Sawtell/Toormina Saints passed the test with flying colours.
The Saints got their season off to a winning start by beating the Coffs Harbour Breakers in a hard-fought wet weather contest at Richardson Park.
The Saints prevailed 7.7 (49) to 4.9 (33) in their first game of the AFL North Coast season.
The Breakers had the better running in the opening term, kicking a goal within the first few minutes.
The wet weather conditions and the enthusiasm of both sides’ first game of the season made it a bruising contest throughout, as both sides tried to adapt to the tougher conditions.
A Jai Langenberg goal just before quarter time gave his side a five-point lead at the first break.
The tide started to turn from the start of the second quarter, as the Saints’ contested work was rewarded with repeat forward 50 entries and a 29-16 half-time lead, with the game played predominantly in the Saints forward half.
The Saints continued their momentum and hard attack on the footy in the third, as they increased their lead to 25 points heading into the final quarter, which proved to be insurmountable in the context of the conditions.
Saints player Jai Langenberg was awarded the Anzac medal for the best player on the ground.
Saints player/coach Brandt Lee said his team adapted well to the wet weather conditions.
“We had been talking in the last couple of weeks about playing in the wet, and our normal game plan went out the window as you try not to be as daring with the run and carry and just win contest after contest,” he said.
“The first quarter we tried to be a bit too-well drilled, and we reset at quarter time and just tried to win the hard footy and contest after contest, and not overuse it.
“I think we performed well in the wet with our contested work, and adapted quite well.”
The Saints coach praised his side’s performance as one unit.
“I wrote on the whiteboard ‘22 brothers, whatever it takes’, and our supporters told us after the game they were pretty impressed with the mindset of the players,” he said.
“We just had to keep communicating and just keep playing together as 22 players as one, and I think that was the most impressive part of our win.”
The Saints now prepare to face defending premiers the Port Macquarie Magpies on Saturday afternoon at Richardson Park.
By Aiden BURGESS
