The 18 senior and junior clubs in Group Three will benefit financially.

As reported last week the group needed a crowd of more than 3000 to cover the $70,000 outlay needed to play the game at Port.

Among other things, Group Three needed to pay for accommodation for both clubs along with the referees.

"We haven't done the final figures but we will make a bit of money,'' Group Three chairman Wayne Bridge confirmed.

"That will go to the our clubs.''

Mr Bridge said the crowd was around 5000.

"They had nearly 8000 there for the City/Country game in 2010. I don't know how they fitted them in,'' he said.

"There were no bare patches on the hill or anywhere else around the ground. It was packed.''

One spectator said it was 'standing room only' by the time the first grade kicked off.

As two junior matches were on the program the bars didn't open until 3.30pm. Mr Bridge said lines starting forming at 3.15.

"By the time the bars opened the lines stretched back 100 metres,'' he said.

Mr Bridge said the day was a 'learning curve' for the group.

"There were a few bits and pieces we need to improve,'' he said.

"Nothing major, but we'll learn from that.''

Mr Bridge pointed out that originally the game was to be played at Coffs Harbour and this would have been under the control of Group Two.

However this clashed with an Elton John concert at the C. ex Coffs International Stadium so the decision was made to switch the match to Port Macquarie.

"We were basically told the game was going to be played here,'' he said.

Mr Bridge spoke to Bulldogs CEO Andrew Hill and he indicated the club intends to return to the area.

"Next year will be Canberra's home game, but we've been told the Bulldogs will be back here sometime in the future,'' he said.

Both clubs fielded full strength teams for the match, won 12-10 by Canberra.

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