PORT Macquarie Magpies didn't kick a single goal in the second half, but still found a way to win their first AFL North Coast women's title in Coffs Harbour on Saturday.
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The Magpies had 11 scoring shots to five before they eventually held on to register a heartstopping 2.9 (21) to 3.2 (20) victory over Sawtell-Toormina.
A strong first half saw the Pies appear in control of the match at the long break after Anishah Burnes had kicked two majors to put them up by 10 points.
Inspirational captain Cambridge McCormick was then forced from the field midway through the third term with an ankle injury.
The Saints took full toll to overturn the halftime deficit into a four-point lead of their own at the final change.
McCormick returned in the fourth quarter to lead her side to victory with the ball rarely appearing in the Saints' forward 50.
Port Macquarie's inaccurate kicking woes again looked like proving their downfall, but they held on.
McCormick admitted there were thoughts that it wasn't going to be their day as inaccuracy again reared its head.
"Sometimes the thoughts come into your head, but you've got to stay positive and as captain I tried to lead the team and keep everyone up and about," she said.
Coach Mel Hunt said the win was a fitting way for Ricki Pomroy, Tania Slack-Smith and Kate Winterbottom to retire.
"For those girls, it's awesome for them to get a win before they go away and not play footy anymore," she said.
The Saints held a one-point advantage in the closing stages while the Magpies continued to press.
For those girls, it's awesome for them to get a win before they go away and not play footy anymore.
- Magpies coach Mel Hunt
They just couldn't convert on the scoreboard, ensuring Hunt had very few fingernails left at full-time.
"I don't think I breathed for the last 10 minutes of that game," she said.
"The girls worked hard, were ferocious at the ball and showed guts and a never give up attitude.
"That won it for them today."
After a decade with the clipboard, the Magpies win was all the more special for the coach.
"I've been coaching for a long time now and it's the first flag I've won," Hunt said.
"I've been doing it for 10 years and gotten close a couple of times; last year we were close, but I had a good feeling about today.
"The girls were composed in the sheds and showed up ready for business."
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