Lismore Swans 110 point crush

Lismore Swans took nothing for granted when taking on a depleted Sawtell Toormina Saints at Oakes Oval but cruised home to win by 110 points.

FLYING HIGH: Lismore Swans player soared above Sawtell Toormina Devils during the Sir Doug Nicholls Round on May 29, 2021. Photo: Alison Paterson

Lismore Swans kept cool as they played hard for four quarters to score a leviathan win against the Sawtell Toormina Saints during the Sir Doug Nicholls Round at Oakes Oval on Saturday.

At the final siren the home side defeated the Saints by 110 points with a final score of 19.22-136 to 3.8.26.

However, it was a depleted squad who made the drive up from Sawtell and could only muster 17 players to run out in the Devils jersey and several injuries sustained by their players put extra pressure on those playing.

Earlier, the Swans agreed to reduce their number of players on the ground to match the visitor numbers.

Before the game to commemorate the annual Indigenous Sir Doug Nicholls Round, Lismore Swans Junior U8 player Jayvontaye Graham, 7, in lieu of a coin toss, was asked to choose in which hand umpire Shawn Holland was holding the whistle.

Swans Junior U8 player Jayvontaye Graham (centre) was in charge of the coin toss between Lismore Swans Tim Whalan (left) playing his 101st senior game and Sawtell Toormina Devils during the Sir Doug Nicholls Round on May 29, 2021. Photo: Alison Paterson

However, Sawtell won the whistle and elected to play towards the northern end of Oakes Oval.

Jayvontaye said he was excited to help out on the day.

“I feel great about doing this, because then my dad (Andrew Baker) will be proud of me,” he said.

Baker laughed and told him, “the whole club is proud of you”.

Jayvontaye, who follows the Brisbane Lions, confided his favourite player was Charles Cameron.

“He’s a good goal-kicker,” he said of the midfield / forward player.

As is his dad, with Baker going on to score five goals during the match.

HYPER HOOGENDOORN: A dynamic Hendrik Hoogendoorn helped the Lismore Swans senior men outgun Sawtell Toormina Devils during the Sir Doug Nicholls Round on May 29, 2021. Photo: Alison Paterson

Once the game began, it was clear that despite the best efforts and rugged attempts of the Saints, the Swans took a commanding position, showing that the players have been paying attention during training.

Coach Ashley Prichard and assistant coach Glenn Burns were adamant that “respectful footy” was the name of the game.

COACH: Lismore Swans senior men's coach Ashley Pritchard and assistant Glenn Burns remind players of the strategy ahead of the Sir Doug Nicholls Round against Sawtell Toormina Devils on May 29, 2021. Photo: Alison Paterson

Pritchard exhorted the team to greater efforts and told them that as they were playing with reduced numbers on the ground, not to worry of they were pulled off.

“We are playing heavy rotations of the bench all day,” he said.

“We still have to do our job, take control of the football.”

And the players listened.

As well as Baker’s five, Matthew Schafer scored four goals and Oliver Hutchings booted in two, while captain Eoghan McNutt, vice-captain Tim Whalan, Harrison Ashby, James Ashby, Kubilay Karhan, Sam Coates, and Tyran Mowbray, each threaded one through the big sticks.

FINESSE: Swans trio Josh McGuinness and Andrew Baker out manoeuvre their opposition while captain Eoghan McNutt provides support from behind during the Sir Doug Nicholls Round on May 29, 2021. Photo: Alison Paterson

Whalan was on fire as he played his 101st senior men’s game and showed brilliant form, outrunning the opposition and tackling with brio players twice his weight.

McNutt praised Whalan for his focused approach.

“Timmy’s having a great season,” he said.

“He’s really good in the leadership group, we compliment each other”.

Mathew “Veteran” Schafer was also in good form, doing a balletic dance after threading his first goal.

FABULOUS FANS: At Oakes oval, Lismore, Ballie; lie Welch, 11, Amelia Brian, 12, and Payton Schafer, 12, dressed up to cheer on the Swans against Sawtell during the Sir Doug Nicholls Round, May 28, 2021. Photo: Alison Paterson

“That’s how it’s done,” he said as he skipped towards his teammates.

In the stands, daughter Payton, 12, who with her friends was decked out in Swans colours cheered loudly.

McNutt said the win was a real confidence boost but the squad understand they need to keep it in context.

“It was a good win but we don’t want to get ahead ourselves,” he said.

“It’s good to get back in the winners circle and get our confidence back.”

FAB FOUR: Four of the Lismore Swans senior men's newest recruits hail from AFL heartland in country Victoria. L-R Kubilay Karhan, Lucas Foenander, Cory MacKenzie and Samuel Coates helped the home side defeat Sawtell Toormina Devils during the Sir Doug Nicholls Round on May 29, 2021. Photo: Alison Paterson

Shep Boys

The Swans line-up featured four new players from Victoria, three of whom arrived only two days earlier, pull on the jumper.

McNutt said the “Shep Boys” who have played in and around Shepparton in the state’s northeast, have brought some solid Aussie rules experience to the club.

He said Kubilay Karhan, Lucas Foenander, Cory MacKenzie and Samuel Coates are a very welcome addition to an already hard working and talented squad.

“The four Shepparton lads have brought in fresh blood and they fit in really well,” McNutt said.

“They are natural footballers and will only improve as the season progresses.”

While MacKenzie arrived four weeks ago and has had time to acclimatise, his three mates said they’ had a whirlwind introduction to their new town and team.

On Saturday, Foenander, Coates and Karhan said the past 72 hours had been a non-stop adrenaline rush.

They said it was a thrill to drive up from Victoria to arrive in Lismore on Thursday afternoon, attend training that night, have a photo shoot for the Northern Star to commemorate the new indigenous Round jumper on Friday, then run onto Oakes Oval for the first time with the Swans.

“The Swans are a great club, very welcoming,” MacKenzie said.

“We can’t wait to win a flag,” they said in chorus.

FIRST GAME: Sam Coates has a whirlwind 72 hours which saw him arrive from Victoria, attend one training session then pull on the jumper to help his new team defeat Sawtell Toormina Saints by 110 points. Photo: Alison Paterson

Currently the Swans are second on the AFL North Coast ladder behind the unbeaten Coffs Breakers.

McNutt said the match on June 5 at Numbucca against the Lions will be big.

“Numbucca Valley forfeited their match last week against Grafton, so they will be fresh and keen to get a scalp,” he said.

Results AFL North Coast Senior Men Round 6

Coffs Breakers 14.13 (97) def Port Macquarie 10.15 (75)

Lismore Swans 20.16 (136) def Sawtell/Toormina 3.8 (26)

Grafton (won on forfeit) vs Nambucca Valley

Casino Lions 5.3 (33) def by Northern Beaches 13.17 (95)

Round 7 – Saturday, June 5, 2021

NORTHERN BEACHES vs PORT MACQUARIE, Centennial Oval, Woolgoolga

(10am – Under-17s; 11.50am – Women; 1.20pm – Reserves; 2.50pm – Seniors)

NAMBUCCA VALLEY vs LISMORE SWANS, EJ Biffin Playing Fields, Nambucca Heads (2.50pm – Seniors)

COFFS BREAKERS vs CASINO LIONS, Fitzroy Oval/Old Camp, Coffs Harbour

(2.50pm – Seniors)

SAWTELL/TOORMINA vs GRAFTON, Richardson Park, Sawtell

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

The Coffs Breakers U17s will be playing a cross-conference match against Inverell Saints at Inverell at 11am.