PORT Macquarie Magpies took a while to warm to their task before they outgunned Sawtell-Toormina Saints 15.9 (99) to 6.12 (48) to progress to the AFL North Coast seniors grand final.
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A five-goals-to-one second term blew the game open to enable the Magpies to take a 32-point lead into the main change and from there they were never headed.
Midfielder Jesse Schmidt led the way with three goals along with Ryan Barnett and Braden Saggers while Kaleb Crowhurst (two) also contributed multiple majors.
"We came out poorly in the first quarter and they kicked the first few goals against the wind," Schmidt said.
Kye Wilson, Kye Taylor, Fraser Carroll and Hugo Henderson also got their names on the scoresheet with the 51-point victory handing the Magpies another shot at ending a six-year wait for a premiership.
The Saints rallied in the third quarter to close the margin to 21 points at the final change before the Magpies kicked clear again with a six-goals-to-one final term.
Sawtell kicked four consecutive behinds before they finally slotted a major, and it was this inaccuracy that cost them dearly.
They headed to the last break trailing by 15 scoring shots to 16, but behind by 21 points due to their poor conversion rate.
Rather than take a toll, Port's exertions in the previous week seemed to stand them in good stead to back up at the Stadium where the large ground and soft surface can be energy sapping.
The win came at a cost with a number of Magpies to nurse injuries throughout the week as they race the clock to be fit for the clash with Coffs Harbour on Saturday.
"Coffs have got a number of really talented individuals, but probably don't quite have the depth so we'll have to work well as a team," Schmidt said.
"We'll need to make sure we hit the right targets from the centre bounce."
Port Macquarie's last grand final success came in 2013 when they defeated Sawtell-Toormina by 20 points.
"There are a few blokes still around that are hungry for success," Schmidt said.
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