PORT Macquarie Magpies lacked execution in Saturday's big North Coast AFL loss to Sawtell Toormina Saints, but it was the lack of effort that frustrated coach Scott Abercrombie.
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Some of the Magpies' senior players were guilty of not putting in as much effort as they should be as the younger players stood up in the grand final replay at Wayne Richards Park.
The Pies went down 12.5 (77) to 3.2 (20) and much of the damage was done in the first half.
The home team also dropped off late in the fourth quarter as victory slipped away.
It wasn't all bad news for the Magpies though. It's early in the season, and there's plenty of time to address issues.
Abercrombie was also pleased with the effort of a trio of younger stars.
Riley Irwin stood out in his first game of seniors, while Dylan Beasley also had a good match in just his second game.
Isaac Brambley also played well.
Matt Lill booted three for the Pies and Irwin one.
Not all the older heads had poor matches though. Michael Kemp played well at the back while Rod Sonogan performance in the unfamiliar central role also pleased Abercrombie.
Abercrombie said it was always going to be a tough match, with redemption firmly in the minds of the Saints.
The unfurling of the premiership flags on Paul Sheldon Memorial Day would have also given the Sawtell side an extra spark.
"We knew they were going to come out hard," Abercrombie said.
A positive to come out of the day was Port Macquarie-Hastings mayor Peter Besseling's strong game in reserve grade.
Besseling booted four goals in the Pies' 10.5 (65) to 2.7 (19) win.
The highlight, according to Abercrombie, was Besseling's fourth goal of the day.
He had a tight angle to play with after taking a mark, before maori stepping straight over an opponent and kicking the goal.