Two of Kempsey’s finest young AFL prospects, Chris Holten and Shayden Close played key roles in the NSW/ ACT Rams under 16’s win over the NT in Darwin last weekend.
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The young Rams beat the NT side 12.16 (88) to 5.12 (42) in what was a more competitive game than the score might suggest.
Holten was among the best players for the Rams who now travel to the Gold Coast for Round 2 and 3 at the start of July.
Holten and Close are part of the Sydney Swans elite youth academy program. They were selected last year along with another Kempsey footballer Rylee Sines.
Close began playing AFL four years ago with local club, the Macleay Valley Eagles. Speaking at the time of he describe club officials Rhonda Colliver and Kevin Ackerly as mentors who have helped him progress in the sport.
“AFL’s a fast sport, its fun. Turning it into a career has always been something I’ve wanted to do ever since I was little,” he said.
The NSW/ ACT Rams also played their NT counterparts on the weekend running out big winners with an embarrasing 190-point margin. Northern Territory failed to kick a major during the game which amounted to little more than a training run.
The final score in the demolition was NSW/ACT 29.18 (192) to the Northern Territory 0.2 (2)
MNC AFL
AFL North Coast action resumes after a two week break and clubs will have to find their form quickly if they want to continue their momentum. Match of the day is a top of the table clash between Sawtell Toormina Saints and Port Macquarie Magpies at Richardson Park, Sawtell.
Sawtell currently sit in second place, one game behind Port, and this is a great opportunity for them to join the Magpies on 6 wins. Last time these two teams met at Richardson Park, Port handed Sawtell their first home loss in several years so both teams will be primed for a big match.
Capping off a big day of footy in Coffs Harbour, the Breakers will host Grafton Tigers (Seniors and Under 18) and Macleay Valley Eagles (Reserves) at Fitzroy Oval. Breakers were last start losers and need a win to maintain contact with the other two teams at the top of the table. On paper, a win against the Tigers should be a formality, but the Breakers will need to guard against complacency which could be compounded by the break.
The third round of Cross Conference footy will be played next weekend (Saturday 25 June) so teams will be keen to take winning form into these testing matches in Port Macquarie and Byron Bay. AFL
