In their first junior competition season, three years ago, the club had enough players to fill two teams.

Last year, the Under 11s clawed their way into the grand final and came out kings.

This year the club has bettered themselves again, with both junior AFL league teams through to the finals season.

Unfortunately, on Sunday the Under 11s went down to a fierce Port Macquarie side.

With a few players away, that match was always going to be an uphill battle. And in the first quarter, the Port team looked like they were going to make mince meat of our Lions - streaking away to a four-goal lead.

But the Under 11s held them out the rest of the game, narrowly missing out on progressing through to this weekend's grand finals.

But life's a beach for the Under 13s who triumphed over Woopi to take their place in the final showdown.

Last year the Under 13s struggled to win a game all season. This year, with some of the champion Under 11s and two kickarse girls in the mix, the team is a force to be reckoned with.

The Lions shot away in the first quarter by 30 points, but were challenged in the second.

"There were only seven points separating the teams at half time in what had been a gripping encounter to that point. A three goal blitz by the Lions in the third quarter put them in control of the contest, and when they kicked the first two goals of the last term against the breeze, the match was as good as theirs," North Coast league manager Paul Taylor said.

The Under 13s, under coach Norm Duroux, will now go on to play the Bellingen Bulldogs - table leaders and a team they have both beaten and been beaten by.

"So there's going to be a healthy rivalry this weekend," the club's Nicky Baade said.

The match will be played from 11.10am at C.ex Coffs International Stadium this Sunday.

"We've got our fingers crossed for them. But if they don't win, at least they're getting out there and having a go," club president Trent Baade said.

It's a very young side, so Trent said whatever this weekend's result is, it will be a good stepping stone for next year's season when many in the team will have another year's growth and experience under their belt.

He said he's very proud of the club, which has been steadily growing by around 10 players each season.

Next year he's hoping to enter an Under 15s side into the competition, and there's also a big focus on recruiting more girls to eventually form a Youth Girls side.

"It's a family-oriented club and it's a great sport to get involved in," he said.

Anyone interested in joining or learning more can call Trent on 0412 748-663, or contact the club via their Facebook page.

Roo attacks five-year-old in Valla

Waiting for warmer waters in the Macksville pool