Port Macquarie Magpies and Coffs Harbour Breakers have set down early markers with dominant first round victories of the AFL North Coast senior competition.
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The Magpies were ruthless in the first half against reigning premiers Sawtell Toormina Saints, kicking nine goals to one to all but ice the game by the main break.
The Saints rallied in the third quarter and were able to hold their own on the scoreboard during this term as the Pies cruised to a 20.8 (128) to 11.7 (73) victory.
Sawtell won the last quarter by a goal to restore some pride, however it was a mark of how strong the Magpies' performance was that they all but shared the honours in the second half despite taking their foot off the pedal.
Kye Wilson and Kyle Bray of Port were the two dominant big men of the day, constantly providing quality ball to the inside midfielders.
Jesse Schmidt and George Maguire were the key beneficiaries, kicking five goals apiece, with Fraser Carroll's four goals meaning these three outscored the entire Sawtell team.
The Saints handed senior debuts to a number of under-17 players in Tyler Donovan, Alex Pyke, Ronan Singleton, and Jonah Horan.
These players looked far from out of place and will grow in confidence after their first run in the top grade.
Curtis Smith provided a constant threat up front to kick three goals, and was joined on this mark by Felix Dunn and Malcolm Trotter.
In the women's match, inaccurate kicking cost the Magpies in a thrilling 2.6 (18) to 3.0 (18) draw with Sawtell.
Last season's closest tussles in the competition were between the two sides and the 2019 season started in exactly that fashion.
Port Macquarie had the better of the play for the opening three terms but wayward finishing meant the Magpies didn't take full toll of the advantage in both territory and possession.
Despite this, the Magpies went to the last break with a slender six point lead but were unable to trouble the scorer in the final term and this left the door ajar for the Saints.
In Keira Basset, Sawtell has the league's most ruthless goal kicker and she demonstrated this again with three opportunities resulting in three goals, including a crucial major in a quarter that was otherwise scoreless.
Port's best players were Cambridge McCormick and Tilly Mobbs, whilst Casey Uikelotu was a constant driving force for Sawtell.
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