All the sport you need this weekend on the Northern Rivers

Here’s your guide to all the key weekend sporting matches across the region for Aussie rules, baseball, hockey, netball, rugby league, rugby union, soccer and triathlon.

GAME PLAN Swans coach Ashley Pritchard said his team may be on top of the ladder but they have enormous respect for the Grafton Tigers who were 2020 premiers and whom they will travel to play at Ellem Oval, Grafton on Saturday May 8, 2021. Photo: Alison Paterson

A massive weekend of sport is being played across the region, so no matter if you are pulling on the footy boots, shooting a goal or simply wanting to kick back and watch the action, here’s our weekly preview.

AFL – The big men (and women) fly

In Round 3 of seniors AFL, the Lismore Swans will travel to Grafton while the Casino Lions

Tigers vs Swans – Men

Can reigning premiers Grafton win at home when the high-flying at the top of ladder Lismore swoop into town on Saturday?

Swans senior men’s coach Ashley Prichard said as always, his team is going to play with respect for the opposition.

“It’s going to be a huge challenge for us, they’re the reigning premiers,” Pritchard said.

“It will be another weekend of heading into the unknown, but our team morale is very good, our players are really sharp and we are super excited.”

Tigers vs Swans – Women

After a strong first game out last week the Swans will be looking to capitalise on their finesse and finetuned skills.

Fans should make sure they are at Ellem Oval, Grafton, to see some of the best female AFL players in Northern NSW go head to head.

Women’s coach Ken McPherson said his team are ready to rock and roll.

“We are expecting a tough, fast and physical game from this young side,” he said

“But we are up to it, our more experienced players are really looking forward to this game.”

McPherson said he’s confident the women will play their best.

“These women are amazing, they can hold their match structure, yet adapt as the game changes,” he said.

“It’s going to be a fantastic game.”

Casino Lions vs Port Macquarie Magpies – Men

All respect to the Casino Lions who have moved mountains to regenerate and reform after several years and play senior men; s AFL.

This Saturday they are hosting the Port Macquarie Magpies and there’s no doubt it will be a cracker of a game.

Kick off is at 2.50pm and all Aussie rules fans are urged to attend what will no doubt be a sensational game of footy.

ROUND 3 – Saturday, May 8

Grafton vs Lismore Swans at Ellem Oval, Grafton

(Under-17s – 10am (Graf vs Breakers); Women – 1.20pm; Seniors – 2.50pm)

Northern Beaches vs Sawtell / Toorimina at Centennial Oval, Woolgoolga

(Women – 11.50am; Reserves – 1.20pm; Seniors – 2.50pm)

Casino Lions vs Port Macquaries at Queen Elizabeth Park, Casino

(Seniors – 2.50pm)

Coffs Breakers vs Nambucca Valley at Fitzroy Oval, Coffs Harbour

(Seniors – 2.50pm)

BASEBALL – Take me out to the ball game

The Australian Senior League Championships will be batting off at Albert Park Baseball facility, Lismore, on Saturday May 8 when some of the top baseball players from around the country will be showing their pitching and batting skills at this free event.

Eight baseball teams – MacArthur and Cronulla from NSW, Eastern Athletics and Southern Mariners from Victoria, Brisbane Metro from Queensland, Adelaide Armada from South Australia and, Swan Hills and Wanneroo Giants from Western Australia – will play 10am and 5pm daily, and the not to be missed Gold Medal Game will be played at 1.30pm on May 12.

You can read all about the event here.

Hockey – from miniroos to seniors, this game gets the adrenaline pumping

All the info on the many games held by Far North Coast Hockey can be found here

According to FNCH, this week Star have the most allocations and Easts are close behind but it is just the location and the teams playing that create this set of circumstances.

This link for the Tweed games that there are some changes to turf allocations.

NETBALL – It’s fast and fabulous

Ballina Netball – click here

Lismore & District Netball Associationclick here

NRRRL – Snapshot of some weekend highlights

Byron vs Ballina

On Sunday at Red Devil Park, Byron Bay, this match against two strong teams will be an epic arch rival battle. Kick-off times for each grade:

18’s: 11:50am

Reserve Grade: 1:20pm

1st Grade: 3pm

Kyogle Turkeys vs Local Clarence Magpies

Turkeys president Sonny Slater, said the club and indeed and the town is very much looking forward to their first home game since 2019.

“We should all right, we are very pleased to be back after the last 12 months off,” he said, ”And to be hosting out first home since is fantastic.”

Slater said while the club has all four grades filled, the Magpies have only three.

“So we are playing ladies league tag, reserve and A-Grade,” he said.

“It will be a great day so bring your mum and buy her some hot chips and a ticket in our Mother’s Day raffle.”

“Our U-18s have a bye this weekend and will prepare for playing Marist Bros again at home next week in Kyogle.”

Marist Brothers have a massive day at Oakes Oval / Crozier Field on Saturday May 8.

Entry via Magellan Street entrance only and COVID-19 protocol will apply.

Juniors

U6s 9am (OAKES MINI 1)

U7s 9am (OAKES MINI 2)

U8s 9am (OAKES MINI 3)

U9s 9:45am (OAKES MINI 3)

U10s 10:30am (OAKES OVAL)

U11s 11:30am (OAKES OVAL)

U12s 12:30pm (OAKES OVAL)

U13s 1:30pm (OAKES OVAL)

U14s 9am (CROZIER FIELD)

GLT 10:10am (CROZIER FIELD)

U15s 11:15am (CROZIER FIELD)

U16s 12:20pm (CROZIER FIELD)

Seniors

All senior games held on Crozier Field

LLT 1:45pm

U18s 2:45pm

Reserve Grade 4pm

First Grade 5:30pm

Paid entry into grounds will start from 1pm ($6), with canteen available all day and bar sales start at commencement of LLT.

All players, coaches, trainers and spectators MUST sign in using the QR code provided at the gate.

Please show respect for all match officials, ground managers, volunteer and players. Any unsportsmanlike, aggressive and discriminatory behaviour will not be tolerated and you will be asked to leave the venue.

RUGBY UNION – First class games from this first grade teams

Far North Coast Rugby Union Round 5 on May 8 offers some of the most dazzling rugby union match ups on the North Coast

Casuarina Beach:

1. Dan Chugg, 2. Trent Ryan, 3. Max Graham, 4. Izak Van Niekerk, 5. Chris Dowling, 6. Eamonn Mobray, 7. Jem McDonald, 8. Mitch Planten, 9. Onewa Tai, 10. Sam Harrison, 11. Brennan Petersen, 12. Vitori Buatava (c), 13. Jarad Gorman, 14. Josh Harman, 15. Kai George

Coach: Mick Hall

Manager:

V

Bangalow:

1. Scott Shoesmith, 2. Corey Jolly, 3. Liam Mustchin, 4. Jock Craigie, 5. Darcy Hilton, 6. John Turagabeci, 7. Omar Sella, 8. Ed McGrath, 9. Vincent Quigley, 10. Troy Doughty (c), 11. Hamish Guest, 12. Travis Watkins, 13. Vukaloto Atunaisa, 14. Jona Kalousese Waqa, 15. Will Hawkins

Coach: Ross Larsson

Manager: Dave Phillips

Referee: Graham Cook

Wollongbar Alstonville:

1. Jaiden Reginato, 2. Bill Johnston, 3. Brandan Whitney, 4. Matt Scott, 5. Josh Galbraith, 6.

Hamish Millane, 7. Justyn Keir, 8. Austin Markwort, 9. Louis Hollman, 10. Jarrod Wyllie, 11. Matthew Buster, 12. Josh Damen, 13. Daniel Damen, 14. Lachlan Thomson, 15. Sam Kerry

Coach: Paul Jeffery

Manager: Tony Pennisi

V

Casino:

1. Cameron Davis, 2. Ben Collison (c), 3. Nathan Davy, 4. Callum McLennan, 5. Josh Nelson, 6. Wilson Lovokurow, 7. Marcus Cusack, 8. Josh Fuller, 9. Regan Cooper, 10. Jokobi Robinson, 11. Daniel Torrens, 12. Thomas Walker, 13. Michael Barnes, 14. Jayden Torrens, 15. Harrison Cusack

Coach: Marty Clapp

Manager: Corey Dunn

Referee: Allan Thomas

Ballina:

1. Sam Pearce, 2. Syd Malietoa, 3. Callum Turner, 4. Kye Cribb, 5. Jakob O'Connor, 6. Brad Brown (c), 7. Braith Keirle, 8. Sylvester Fah, 9. Joe Jansson, 10. Nick Brydon, 11. Joel Noble, 12. Ant Lolohea, 13. Lachlan Johnson, 14. Terry Ferguson, 15, Ben Robinson

Coach: Karl Lupton

Manager: Matthew Davidson

V

Lismore: 1. Mitch Bird, 2. Cameron Bryant (c), 3. Tate Bailey, 4. Ben Carroll, 5. Sam Cooke, 6. Nathan Rodd, 7. Shannon Day, 8. Tyler Coveney, 9. Cody Johnston, 10. Adam Rodd, 11. Sam Johnston, 12. Romulo Leweniqila, 13. Brayden Nelson, 14. Braiden Albertini, 15. Billy Naborisi

Coach: Ray Taylor

Manager: Jack Everingham

Referee: Peter Brown

Lennox Head – Bye

SOCCER -The Beautiful Game

Once again there are too many games to list but keen fans can click here for the Football Far North Coat official schedule.

Men’s Premier League

Friday May 7, 8pm Weston Park Goonellebah FC vs Lismore Richmond Rovers FC

Sat may 8, 5pm Jeff Schneider Field, Bangalow SC vs Alstonville FC

Sunday May 9, 2.50pm, Byron Bay Rec Ground, Byron Bay vs Maclean FC

Sunday May 9, 2.50pm Caniaba St Field, South Lismore FC vs Lennox Head FC

Women’s Premier League

Friday 6pm, Jeff Schneider Field, Bangalow SC vs Alstonville FC

Sunday 12.50pm Caniaba St Field, South Lismore FC vs Lennox Head FC

Sunday 2.50pm, Byron Bay Rec Ground, Byron Bay FC vs Lismore Thistles SC

Triathlon

On Sunday May 9, the 25th edition of the Byron Bay Tri is predicted to be a massive success as thousands flock to the town to cheer on more than 1500 athletes who will swim, run and cycle their way to glory.

Everything you wanted know about the event here.