AFL Mackay: First-ever five-peat elevates Saints to rare air

Hear what the North Mackay coach had to say following its record-breaking grand final triumph. Standout performers revealed and more.

The North Mackay Saints men tasted premiership glory. Picture: Supplied.

Records are made to be broken.

Some can be broken over the course of a game, others a season.

But for the North Mackay Saints, the record of most consecutive AFL Mackay premierships was five years in the making.

“The funny thing is the guys weren’t too focused on that,” Saints coach Chayse Tilley said of his club’s fifth straight premiership.

“It’s more for the stalwarts of the club and the boys that have been around forever.”

And the very last step before North Mackay arrived at their untouched pedestal was a clinical grand final showing against the Eastern Swans, with the Saints prevailing 9.4 (58) to 5.4 (34) at Etwell Park on Saturday.

North Mackay Saints founder Frank Zeolla (centre) was tasked with presenting the Saints with the premiership trophy. Picture: Supplied.

If not for a late surge of Eastern momentum, the score may have been more telling too, with The Swans unable to reach double digits until the game’s final quarter.

“We knew that if we put a lot of pressure on the Swans when they had the ball, they would rush their kicks, which plays into the hands of our intercept markers,” Tilley said.

“Then we just had to spread the ball wide and put the switch on. We’ve played risky football trying to execute the switch all year.

“We knew Bakers Creek was a wide ground and if we could execute we’d open the Swans up and make them run.

“And then run over the top of them in the second half.”

The triumph saw six Saints become five-time premiership players. Alec Townsend was among them, and he was awarded best on ground for his decisive showing.

“He’s good, he steps up when we need it, he’s a class midfielder,” Tilley said.

Patrick Ryan also caught Tilley’s eye.

“(He’s) just dynamic, he can go forward, he can play through the midfield,” Tilley said.

“Spectators wouldn’t notice it as much but he’s one of the coaches favourite players, he just gets in and under and gets the handballs out to advantage.”

Up forward, Cody Filewood shone for North Mackay, booting four majors.

His last came courtesy of a soaring full-stretch effort that saw him grasp a spectacular hanger in front of the Swans box.

Saint Cohen Frith, 16, had a day to remember, not only tasting a maiden senior premiership but getting on the end of a goal following a 50m penalty.

North Mackay Saints' Cohen Frith: Picture: Supplied

“He’s got that for the rest of his life,” Tilley said.

Luke Slater was at his trademark best across half-back, nabbing some crucial intercept marks early in the game. He was one cog in an impressive defensive display.

“Our backline performed really well all game to keep them to a low score at halftime,” Tilley said.

“Swans got three late and it just showed you that Swans are a talented team and can put three on you in a matter of minutes, that’s what they did in the last quarter.

“Fortunately we had a big enough lead when the siren went.”

And the feeling when that siren sounded, solidifying a five-year dynasty?

“Just relief more than anything, we’ve worked so hard for so many years,” Tilley said.

“It’s history.”

Unfortunately for the Saints it wasn’t as successful a day for their reserves side, who fell to the Mackay Magpies 7.4 (46) to 11.5 (71).