THE AFL North Coast will not have any premiership winners in 2021.

The grand finals scheduled for last weekend were cancelled due to the restrictions on community sport.

The decision was made to cancel the 2021 AFL North Coast season, with this year’s premierships not to be awarded.

The two main reasons for its cancellation were players not being able to play or train as a team for a number of weeks, and that by the time community sport was allowed to resume the playing grounds would be handed over to cricket clubs for their upcoming season.

The cancellation of the season was made in light of the State Government’s announcement that community sport won’t resume in the foreseeable future.

With no premierships awarded this season, AFL North Coast’s record books will acknowledge the 2021 minor premiers.

The Coffs Harbour Breakers were the standout club of the 2021 season; winning the seniors, reserves, and women’s minor premierships.

The Port Macquarie Magpies also won three minor premierships; in the under 15s, under 13s and under 11s.

The Sawtell/Toormina Saints finished as the Youth Girls minor premiers, while the Grafton Tigers were under 17s minor premiers.

Individual awards such as the best and fairest and leading goalkicker will be presented at a later date to be confirmed.

The junior representative carnival to feature the Northern Force teams and to be held in Coffs Harbour on September 27-28 has also been cancelled.

Despite the abrupt end to the season and no grand finals staged, AFL North Coast’s Community Football & Competition Manager Paul Taylor looked back on an historic 2021 season.

“This is not how we wanted to end our 40th Year of Footy, however it has unfortunately become the only way to do so,” he said.

“This season has been one like no other, as we celebrated the rich history of our game in the region.

“It was extremely competitive and deserved to have finals for a conclusion.

“Our local AFL community has done an incredible job over the past 18 months in the face of the pandemic.

“We completed shortened seasons in 2020 when many other sports couldn’t, we’ve seen fantastic growth in both our junior and senior Competitions in 2021, and we came so close to completing the 2021 season.”

Taylor thanked all those involved in making the 2021 season such a success.

“A huge thanks to everyone at club level who has kept the faith,” he said.

“Thank you to our players, coaches, club administrators, volunteers, and spectators for your involvement this season.

“To the players in the Under 15 and Youth Girls age groups who have missed out on playing their last ever game of junior footy we say a special thank you.

“Finally, to any retiring or departing players, umpires, and outgoing committee members, thank you for your individual contributions to our league and its clubs.

“We look forward to a bigger and even better 2022 season.”

 

By Aiden BURGESS