Nambucca Valley and Grafton both knew there was much more on offer in this game with the FCC being at stake as well as the potentiality of keeping a finals place alive.

The Lions, with a full list of players available, trained well after putting in a good account of themselves at Port Macquarie last week, were keen to post a win.

With weather conditions blustery, and the ground a little spongy under foot after the showers throughout the week, it was said to be ‘good’ footy weather, with a definite advantage kicking to the northern end of Willis Street Oval.

It was the Lions who had the better start to an otherwise even first quarter, through some great work coming about from cohesive team play.

The second quarter saw the quality of football improve. As both teams played themselves into the game, the Tigers were not going to go down without a fight and they stuck it to the Lions.

Going into the long break it was the Lions leading by nine-points and by no means in control.

The second-half was played at a higher level again, with both teams showing plenty of heart.

Three-quarter time saw the Lions holding onto a slender lead and playing good football.

The Tigers came out in the final-quarter determined to reverse the scoreboard, and had the Nambucca Valley supporters on the edge of their seats throughout.

But on the final siren the Lions had won by 25 points. Nambucca Valley 12.7 (72) Grafton Tigers 7.12 (54)

The Lions played as a team this week and it showed on the paddock with some of the attacking moves actually looking like the ones they’ve practised all year with all the boys putting in a fantastic effort.

Jimmy Angel was best on ground and everywhere this week, except the after game traditional boat race where his lovely wife Mel took his spot and showed up the boys causing some loud cheers from the gallery and shocked and impressed looks. Mick Townsend had a crack before twitching a hamstring in the third-quarter and Andrew Fredericks was strong on the ball.