FINALS action comes a couple of weeks early this week when Coffs Harbour Breakers visit Port Macquarie to face the Magpies.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Through a quirk of the draw, the top teams line-up against each other in round 15 which is the last of the home and away rounds.
They then meet up again next week in the qualifying semi-final where places in the respective grand finals go on the line.
With standings in both competitions already settled, the results of the round 15 clashes will have no bearing on either the ladder or the makeup of the finals series.
However, the winners of these matches will take a psychological advantage into the semi-finals when they meet just seven days later.
The Magpies should have a distinct home ground advantage in the more familiar surrounds of Wayne Richards Park.
However, the two clashes already staged at this venue in 2019 have seen both the Breakers men and women hit the highway with a pair of wins.
Considering that the semi-final will be played at the neutral C.ex Coffs International Stadium it is doubly important to the Magpies teams that they prove a point with positive outcomes at home this Saturday.
Reserve grade will be a huge clash between these clubs.
In what is the tightest race across all grades, third-placed Port need to claim a victory over the top-ranked Breakers to be any chance of securing a double chance in the finals series.
Even then, a win may not be enough as Breakers and Northern Beaches Blues both hold a one win gap to Port and a positive percentage difference.
What else is happening in sport?
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.