AFL North Coast: Your ultimate guide to all 12 teams competing in men’s, women’s divisions
Six teams are vying for AFL North Coast glory as the new season prepares to get underway this weekend. Catch our preview of all men’s and women’s clubs, plus see who the biggest names will be in 2023.
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THE AFL North Coast is shaping up for its biggest season in recent memory as the new year gets underway this weekend.
We preview all six teams set to line up in the premier men’s and women’s divisions to give you the ultimate guide to the new year.
SENIOR MEN
BYRON BAY MAGPIES
Coach: Andrew Swallow
Captain: TBA
Players to watch: Jai Berry is coming into his prime and has a good left foot. He’s always going into the contest, has some goal sense and can win the footy. A versatile forward/midfielder who has played with the club before. Ishtah Raju is in his teenage years and is one of the club’s youngest who came through the juniors. He’s a smaller player that was involved in the Suns Academy, and has good evasiveness and speed, and is smooth with the ball. Ollie Rojo played down in Melbourne last year and is a local who has returned. Can play on ball and pinch-hit in the ruck.
Surprise packet: Dom Shine was a standout in the scratch match. He can play in the ruck or up forward, and attacks the ball well, also is a good mark. Was on the fringe, but has been there every session, is dedicated and will surprise a few.
Biggest strength: They’re a bit of an unknown quantity after coming back together. What has been consistent is their contested work. They want to be able to win the ball in tight and are working hard on their execution of skills.
Why they will be competitive: All the boys are really keen after not having a team last year, they’re keen to get back out there and get the club going again. That’s the big motivator. There’s some quality who have played for Byron, some younger guys who have come back and wanting to have a crack, a decent blend of youth and guys that have been around before, which hopefully adds up to a good year.
Last season: N/A
COFFS HARBOUR BREAKERS
Coach: Ben Watson
Captain: Tyrone Jones
Players to watch: A champion sprinter as a junior, ruckman Aidan Wallace will be one of the Breakers’ key men if they are to challenge for the title again in 2023. “He’s a super freak of an athlete: very fast, super strong, quite tall and skilful,” said coach Ben Watson. Elsewhere, young player Oscar McKenzie, known as the club’s “buzzing bee”, will also be a handful. “He’s a forward pocket player but we’ll be looking to bring him up into the centre this year to further his development,” Watson added. Meanwhile, when it comes to young talent, 16-year-old Swans Academy product Beau Guthrie has continued his excellent development and is looming as a key players for the Coffs side this year.
Surprise packet: After making his first grade debut last year and playing a key role in the Breakers’ under 17 premiership victory, halfback flank Luke McLennan has really impressed the coaching staff over the summer.
“He’s put in a massive pre-season, he hasn’t missed a session,” said Watson. “In a practice match the other week he got near best on, so we’re thinking that he’s going to be a staple in our senior team this year. He’s just come on in leaps and bounds from where he was last year, has developed really well and will be running really hard in the backline for us.”
Biggest strength: As a club that prides itself on giving young players an opportunity, the Breakers gave had six debutants in the top grade last year, with another couple of 16- and 17-year-olds in the mix to get their first taste of senior footy throughout 2023. With a solid pipeline of talent coming through the lower grades, Watson is confident this will improve the depth and hold the club in good stead moving forward.
“It’s definitely going to pay dividends this year for the guys who got a taste of it last year,” he said. “They’re hungry for the season and they look like they might even turn into starters in the senior team. It’s something we really pride ourselves on.”
Why they will be competitive: After winning the minor premiership last year before being beat by Port Macquarie on grand final day, the Breakers have got plenty of motivation to go one step further in 2023.
“I think it’s up to the players and their desire to want to hit back from the disappointment of the final game last year. But we’ll need to put in a fair bit of work to make sure that we’re up there again. It just won’t be given to us,” said Watson.
“I feel like the rest of the comp is quickly catching up, so I think it’s going to be a super even season and we won’t be able to rest on our laurels for one game.”
Last season: Minor premiers (lost grand final)
GRAFTON TIGERS
Coach: Lee Anderson
Captain: Tim Whalan
Players to watch: In one of the most important positions on the field, ruckman Cal O’Loughlin will certainly be key for the Tigers this year. “He’s put a lot of work in over the off-season, so he’s fit and ready to go,” said coach Lee Anderson. Elsewhere, new signing Luke Valdez will be one to watch, as will John Cameron and new skipper Timmy Whalan, who takes over from Ryan Sheather, who injured his ACL late last season.
Surprise packet: In what was his first season playing Australian rules football, winger Riley Keogh was incredibly impressive for the Tigers last year, and has taken his game to another level over the summer. “He picked it up really well and just got better as the year went on. He’s had a really good pre-season and he’s fit and ready to go,” said Anderson.
Biggest strength: While the Tigers have plenty of good footballers, their coach believes that it’s their mentality and commitment that sets them apart. “They’re a very close-knit group of guys,” he said. “It’s that camaraderie that makes it a lot easier for me as a coach.”
Why they will be competitive: On the back of this strong mentality, Grafton have got a group of players who really play for each other, and will be desperate to atone for last season’s disappointing semi-final loss.
“They just get in and have a crack,” said Anderson. “I know last year was disappointing, but in the end we just weren’t anywhere near the mark. And we’re just going to try and improve again.”
Last season: Second (eliminated in semi-final)
NORTHERN BEACHES
Coach: Adi Campbell
Captain: Fraser Thompson
Players to watch: Captain Thompson can fill gaps as a centre-half forward or take on the rucking duties. He’s a power marker who is great with his hands overhead, as well as having an expansive skill set and being a very fit player in this side. Serge Denblyden is an up and coming young gun at just 17 years of age. He has shown an ability to run all day and is brilliant with his positioning. They’re not sure what position he will feature this year, but his versatility makes him a crucial part of the side.
Surprise packet: Noah Pilon is an exciting young prospect who is new to the club, a real runner and goes hard at it. He’s new to the sport but has taken to it like a duck to water, is enthusiastic, energetic and already showing a passion for the game.
Biggest strength: Ground ball is where the Northern Beaches will define their season this time around. They’re quite strong over the football and they like to attack and go hard at it, which shows their competitive side.
Why they will be competitive: They are still a relatively new group to each other, but they’ve been taking on training well. There is a very solid mix of youth and experience within the group, with older heads leading the young players forward. Their form in practice matches has been encouraging, with players wanting a kick and to do the team option.
Last season: Fourth
PORT MACQUARIE MAGPIES
Coach: Kye Taylor
Captain: Tom Dickson
Players to watch: The skipper Dickson has earned the role for a reason. He is a dynamic player in the forward line and he can also pinch-hit through the middle. Had an extraordinary bag of goals from limited games last season. Vice-captain Oscar Gibson had a big pre-season and looks set to continue that into the season proper. In his third year with the club, he’ll be a key defensive player at centre-half back.
Surprise packet: Nathan Cameron-Hancock is a cult hero at the club, and the man they call ‘The Biff’ improved a lot last year. He keeps getting better, the game style suits him and he has caught the eye of a few. He’s a smart footballer in the forward pocket.
Biggest strength: The youth of the side will come to the fore this season, with a few senior players departing. They have recruited a few young players that are quick, and speed will be a big part of the Magpies plans in 2023.
Why they will be competitive: Going back-to-back is firmly on the minds of Port Macquarie. There’s a youthful flavour to the side offsetting the loss of some of their older heads. They keep a lot of the core together from last year’s flag, and their ultimate goal is to lift the trophy once again. They believe they have the game plan to remain competitive week win, week out.
Last season: Premiers
SAWTELL/TOORMINA SAINTS
Coach: Brandt Lee
Captain: TBC
Players to watch: Club stalwart Matt Dwyer will once again be a rock for the club at fullback, while the ever-consistent Brandon Cox will also be a key presence in midfield. New recruit Jai Langenberg has been impressive throughout the pre-season, and Tate Frost is another expected to have a big year for the Saints.
Surprise packet: It’s not often that a player changes positions and then excels, but that’s exactly what has happened with junior rep player Charlie Martin, who has been incredibly impressive since moving from halfback to full-forward.
“It’s a new position, he’s always asking questions about how he can improve, but for someone who’s new in the role and dominating the way he is, it’s impressive,” said coach Brandt Lee.
Biggest strength: With a young squad, the Saints will be fit and have plenty of running in the legs that could trouble other teams. Meanwhile their appetite for the contest has also impressed their coach.
“I think our main strength throughout the pre-season has been our pressure, our competitiveness around the ball,” said Lee. “We’re not a side that has a lot of huge bodies, but that fight, that dog, in us has really stood out when we played in our practice games.”
Why they will be competitive: While 2022 was a difficult season, the young Saints who were blooded in the top grade will be far better for the experience this season. In addition, the return of Lee to the club and acquisition of some experienced players bodes well for an improved performance.
“Those kids that played last year have got more experience and have definitely shown a lot of improvement over the practice games,” said Lee. “We’ve recruited pretty well, with a couple of returning players and a couple of new faces giving us a boost. I’m pretty confident that we’re going to be a much more competitive side.”
SENIOR WOMEN
BYRON BAY MAGPIES
Coach: Luke Prendergast
Captain: Lilli Hutchings
Players to watch: Lilli Hutchings is a rover and known as Lilli Ablett Jnr around the club. She’s a brilliant player who never misses a target by foot and is a leader. Xena Campbell plays as a tall athletic ruck/key position player who goes hard all day and is a competitor. Georgie Robbins is a very strong midfielder with foot skills and is a great user of the ball
Surprise packet: Savanah Kennedy has been described as a little dynamo. There’s not much of her, but she’s as strong as an ox. She loves competing and always has a smile on her face.
Isobel Bruce and Isabella Caylak are both excellent runners and play like archetypal wings, and will light it up down the flanks. They played with Esperance and Darabin respectively last year.
Biggest strength: The running ability of the side. There’s a lot of good runners in the side and with a big home oval, that is a massive advantage. They love the game and there’s a good camaraderie between them.
Why they will be competitive: They’re a very competitive group with a good cohesion in their list. They have the right blend of talls, plenty of smalls and some good running within the group. The Magpies are unified and they’ve managed to keep a lot of their core intact. There’s some new faces that are gelling in well, making them a real contender.
Last season: N/A
COFFS HARBOUR BREAKERS
Coach: Martin Garoni
Captain: Danielle Watson
Players to watch: With a team that claimed the minor premiership last year before going down in the grand final, the Breakers are a group of talented footballers, led by the likes of leaders Danielle Watson, Bella Grace and Shannon Goodeneough. Young midfielder Cassidy Ronalds, who finished third in last season’s best-and-fairest count, is another one to keep an eye on, as is Sophie Ray, who despite being a newcomer to the sport, has made an excellent impression so far.
Surprise packet: Local juniors Harper Thomas and Zoe Parsons, who played in the under 17s team last season, have taken their game to another level since stepping up to play with the open women, with the coaching staff looking forward to seeing how they progress their skills over the course of the year.
Biggest strength: In sport it’s often said that the one thing you can’t coach against is speed – and fortunately for the Breakers, they are blessed with a squad full of players who really can turn on the afterburners.
“We’ve got a lot of players who are quite quick across the ground, and if we can get the ball out of the contests and into the hands of those players then I think we’ll be able to move it quite quickly,” said coach Martin Garoni.
Why they will be competitive: After claiming the minor premiership last season before going down in the grand final, the Breakers are expecting a tough 2023 as some of the opposing teams build in strength. Despite this challenge, Garoni has been happy with the progress he has seen throughout the pre-season.
“I’ve been really impressed with their willingness to learn and try new things, and I’ve probably challenged them a bit with a few different ways of playing the game,” he said.
“I think a lot of the work that we’ve done in the pre-season is going to hold us in good stead, in that we’ve done a lot of tight hand ball exercises and things like that,” he added. “We’ve done a lot of work in that space and the girls have really taken a liking to that style of football.”
“Hopefully the brand of footy we play will work well and we hope it’ll be well worth someone popping down to take a look at.”
Last season: Minor premiers (lost grand final)
NORTHERN BEACHES
Coach: Alana Hanson
Captain: TBA
Players to watch: Gina Cardillo is a two-time league best and fairest winner and is coming into her third season with the club. She’s a rover who is very talented and one of the competition’s best players. Brit Hargreaves is returning after playing over in London last year. She’s coming up to her 50th game with the club and is one of the centres. Kira Duroux is a new recruit and they’ll play at centre-half back, holding the defence together and bringing some experience to the Northern Beaches.
Surprise packet: Emily Arch (back), Renae May (forward) and Kiri Skii (wing) are all new faces at the club. They’ve shown a bit in the practice matches and have been committed to training.
Biggest strength: They’re looking to have a controlled ball movement and are moving to a kick and mark type of game. They want to improve their skills to be able to control the speed and tempo of the game. With a bit of an older roster, they want to play to those strengths and maintain possession.
Why they will be competitive: The commitment from the players to improve has been strong throughout the pre-season and everyone has been there for each other. They are a happy unit and that has worked well, knowing they want to be there. They lost over half their team from last year’s premiership winning side, but have added some important players who have bought into what the club is trying to achieve. They will be around the mark once again.
Last season: Premiers
PORT MACQUARIE MAGPIES
Coach: Tom Marmo
Captain: TBA
Players to watch: Ellie Atkins is quite young but has played a lot of footy, has a high range of skills, her fitness is strong and she’s good with her talk at training. She’ll play in the midfield. Ellie Ryan is experienced and has plenty of footy under her belt. She’s a leader with how she goes about the game and will also feature in the midfield. Astyn Saggers is a new mum coming back after a season off. She’s hard, tough and looks like she’s in for a big year.
Surprise packet: Felicity Bath is in her first year of footy, but she’s getting better with each training session. They’ll look for her to feature on a wing.
Biggest strength: Their buy in as a group has really impressed the coaching staff. They’re all willing to work hard for each other at training, and it looks like they will take that momentum into the new season.
Why they will be competitive: Their commitment to getting to training has really helped. They’re getting good numbers at every session, they’re willing to listen and soak it up. You can tell by the way they get up and about how excited they are, and they believe they can build a team with momentum. There’s 30 on the list and they’re set to make a good impression this season.
Last season: Third
SAWTELL/TOORMINA SAINTS
Coach: John O’Dwyer
Captain: TBA
Players to watch: The Saints’ main recruit, Shania King, has been incredibly impressive since joining from Northern Beaches in the off season and is expected to have big impact on the side this year. “We’ve been calling her ‘Zippy’ because she’s so fast,” said coach John O’Dwyer. “We hope to use her speed all year.”
Elsewhere, Elaine Thornycroft, who plays in the forward pocket, and fullback Clarissa Hoskins provide Sawtell with plenty of quality at either end of the field. “They’re just lightning rods for the whole team,” said O’Dwyer.
Surprise packet: Stepping up to play in the seniors, rising star Asha Lloyd has been incredibly impressive over the course of the off-season. “I knew she always had the skills, but the way she’s stepping up, her lack of fear of playing against bigger, stronger women and her ability to win the ball and deliver it down to our advantage has just been great to watch,” said O’Dwyer.
Elsewhere, the coach said that another of the club’s young guns to impress is Jamika McAuley. “She’s a really good focal point for us up front,” he said.
Biggest strength: The balance. In previous years the team had a shortage of players in key areas or with certain skill sets, however some key acquisitions and the promotion of talented juniors have left the Saints in much better shape heading into 2023. “The balance all over the ground is much better,” said O’Dwyer. “We’ve picked up players who are going to fill those holes.”
Why they will be competitive: In short: the numbers. With Covid-19 significantly affecting Australian rules competitions on the north coast, clubs like Sawtell/Toormina often played short or without any interchange players.
“Every time we walked onto the field last year we were sending every girl on and they’d run out of puff. This year we look like being able to have a bench, so we’ll be able to rotate players, rest them and get more from them,” said O’Dwyer, who noted that this has had a huge impact on team morale.
“Because we’ve got a positive attitude within the team and the girls can see that there’s a possibility of stringing together a few wins, that’s really built on our ability to get the girls to training and to develop their skills. Positive attitude is the main thing that’s changed, and that is coming from the numbers.”
Last year: Fourth
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