Super Saturday Preview – Cardiff vs. Newcastle City (All grades)
Written by David Redden
This Saturday sees an absolutely cracking treble of fixtures at the Pasterfield Complex in Cameron Park. Former co-tenants Cardiff & Newcastle City, fierce rivals and potential preliminary finallists in all three grades, do battle in huge clashes at 10.00am (Plate), 12 noon (Womens) and 2.00pm (Cup). The Womens and Cup fixtures will be broadcast live on BARTV from 11.55am.
HAVAL BLACK DIAMOND PLATE:
Newcastle City are one of only two undefeated teams in the Black Diamond Plate, alongside reigning Plate premiers Terrigal Avoca. City, coming off a thumping win over Maitland last week, will be looking for an important 4 points, putting them three games in front of the reliable and composed Cardiff Hawks outfit. The Hawks, coming off a solid win over the Swans last week, simply must win if they are to finish in the Top Two and securing a precious week off in the Finals.
HUNTER HAVAL WOMENS COMPETITION:
In what is quite clearly the most even Womens Competition in the 5 years of its existence, this Saturday’s 5 v 6 clash between Cardiff and Newcastle City is a massive fixture.
Cardiff are one of the real up-and-coming teams in the Womens Competition, alongside undefeated Terrigal Avoca. Followers Taylah Wilks and Sheree Vukovic get their hands on the ball regularly, Wilks’ thumping left foot often getting the ball to talented youngsters Matisse Coram-Parker and 100-gamer Arizona Cross.
At full strength, City are a formidable outfit. GWS Giants Training Squad members Sarah Halvorsen and Meaghan McDonald are experienced, talented and very skilful, whilst former Marlins Molly Simpson, Annalise Norton and Madeline Norton have made a big impact upon arrival at No.1 Sportsground, with Simpson picking up the coveted Players’ Player award for AFLHCC in their convincing win over AFL South Coast last week.
HAVAL BLACK DIAMOND CUP:
This really is a mouth-watering fixture in the Black Diamond Cup this Saturday. The only two undefeated sides in the Cup, fierce local rivals, former co-tenants, and Newcastle City’s first real test this season.
City, heading into a 14-day three-set where they play Cardiff at Cameron Park, fourth-placed Warners Bay (at No.1) and then second-placed Terrigal Avoca at East Gosford, have taken all before them so far this season in their premiership defence. Conor Haswell has moved to half-forward this season, with his great leap, wonderful delivery (Cam Keast a notable beneficiary) and balance proving a master-stroke from coach Tim Cotter.
The return of centreman Anthony Baker gives City a very polished following group, and the three left-footed backline members Ethan Durbridge, Luke Rawnsley and Ian Baker have been unstoppable in combination again this season. Throw in mercurial forward Jackson Crawford and gun youngsters Reed van Huisstede, Max Quinlan and Aidan Watling and City have a very powerful outfit all over the field.
Cardiff, having notched up an excellent away win over Terrigal Avoca a couple of weeks ago, have the 22 to stretch City to the limit. The outstanding form of former soccer player Izaac Hughes across half-forward has given player-coach Nick Tomlinson a very talented, mobile forward line. Hughes’ combination with Jack Lennon has been a real winner for the Hawks, and they will have their hands full with City’s back six, with this battle pivotal to the result.
Bryce Graetz’s probable match-up with the vastly experienced Mitchell Knight will be a great one-on-one battle. Tomlinson’s own match-up inside the defensive 50m arc will be very important, as Crawford’s pace could be a concern and Haswell’s all-round game may detract from Tomlinson’s exquisite skills as a rebounding half-back flanker.
A big question will be where the versatile Marcus DeLeur lines up. DeLeur can play virtually every position on the park excluding Rover, with his ability to crash packs and get contested ball sure to be included in City’s planning for this huge fixture.
Across the enstire day of football (3 games), the two clubs will again play for the Richter Malborough Cup, having laid dormant since 2013 the Cup has been resurrected to reignite the traditional rivalry.
The Cup was formed in 2009 and is named in honour of Cardiff Club Legend Klaus Richter and Newcastle City’s Terry Marlborough. The Cup represents the fierce rivalry between the two clubs over a period of more than 50 years. In 2019 the club with the most wins from the three senior games this Saturday will take home the Cup, Newcastle City currently retain the Cup.
If you cant make it down to Pasterfield Sports Complex on Saturday be sure to tune into Bar TV from 11:55am for the Women’s game and 1:55pm for the Men’s Cup game.
