PORT City Breakers adapted quickly to the nines format at Armidale on Saturday to go close to taking the competition out.
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The Breakers went down to Moree Boomerangs 18-10 in the final after struggling early on.
They won two matches in the pool stage and lost one before knocking over the host team 12-10 in the semis. Breakers coach Ben Sprague said he didn't expect to go so well in the competition it was more about team bonding than winning the title.
"It was different footy for us," he said.
"We've never played it before. They adapted late, and came good."
The Breakers team went to Armidale without the likes of Mitchell Fowler (back), Dan Dumas (fitness) and Adrian Daley (suspension). New fullback Trae Clark impressed Sprague, as did Dylan Hemsley in the second row and prop Brandon Hogan.
"Dylan Hemsley was massive for us," Sprague said.
A "really enjoyable" weekend was made even better by a lack of serious injuries.
Sprague said a couple of niggles was as bad as it got.
It was good to get a hit out against teams like West Tamworth and Redfern, who were strong, according to Sprague.
"They're really good football sides," he said.
Breakers' culture looked strong as the season looms.
"It was good to see the boys together and having fun," Sprague said.
"We wanted to get everyone back into enjoying their footy again."