Marquee Fixtures Revealed – AFL Hunter Central Coast (All Competitions)

Ahead of the full fixture release for all competition via the AFL Hunter Central Coast website on Monday March 2nd, the League are pleased to announce the following marquee fixtures for the 2020 season.

The season will commence with a Friday night blockbuster local derby at the Central Coast Sports and Recreation Complex, Tuggerah. The season opener will see a revitalised Wyong Lakes Magpies led by Michael Solomons who enters his second season as Coach at ‘the Don’ up against the rearing to go Gosford Tigers who welcomed new coach Cori Hopper to Adcock Park in the off-season. Hopper has been in charge of the Central Coast Under 17 Representative team for a number of years, with anticipation high that the Tigers will feature a number of young guns that have returned to the club as the Tigers strive to play finals football for the first time in the Black Diamond Cup competition. The Solomons led Magpies have also been recruiting hard in the off-season, with the club to unveil key signings in the coming weeks.

Following the Friday Night fixture, the remaining thirteen clubs will commence their 2020 campaigns on Saturday April 4th.

 

Black Diamond Cup Men’s:

In 2020 Black Diamond Cup will see a return of all 10 teams. Once again Newcastle City and Terrigal Avoca will be hot favourites. However, Tim Cotter and Chris Bishop’s Men will need to navigate several teams who will be eyeing a deep run to September.

Warners Bay secured the services of 2019 AFL HCC Representative C0-Coach Nathan Harkness while Killarney Vale have consolidated its excellent coaching and leadership group. Other teams to watch are clearly last year surprise prelim finalists Singleton led by Elliott Davey Medal winner Andrew Scott along with the Hawks from Pasterfield who are never to be discounted. This year’s surprise packet could come in the form of Gosford or Maitland, both are training the house down at opposite sides of the region – Cori Hopper will have the Tigers ready while Maitland will be looking forward to the further development of an exceptional young core of players.

Competing Teams: Cardiff, Gosford, Killarney Vale, Maitland, Nelson Bay, Newcastle City, Singleton, Terrigal Avoca, Warners Bay, Wyong Lakes

Marquee Games:
Round 1:
Wyong Lakes vs. Gosford (Friday Night 7pm at Tuggerah)
Singleton vs. Maitland (Rose Point Park)

Round 3 (ANZAC Day):
Warners Bay vs. Cardiff (Feighan Oval)

Round 7:
Terrigal Avoca vs. Gosford (Hylton Moore)

Round 8:
Newcastle City vs Terrigal Avoca (No.1 Sportsground)

Round 9:
Cardiff vs. Killarney Vale (Pasterfield Sports Complex)

Round 11:
Newcastle City vs. Cardiff (No.1 Sportsground)

Round 13:
Nelson Bay vs. Killarney Vale (Dick Burwell Oval)

Round 16:
Wyong Lakes vs. Maitland (Don Small Oval)

Round 19:
Terrigal Avoca vs. Newcastle City (Hylton Moore)

 

Black Diamond Cup Women’s:

AFL Hunter Central Coast is excited to launch the Women’s competition structure in 2020 with the premier division to be known as the Black Diamond Cup Women’s – and what a competition it will be! Last year’s Grand Finalist Newcastle City (Premiers) and Maitland (Runner up) will be right back at the top once again, but they will have plenty of challengers with Wallsend West Newcastle and Lake Macquarie both stepping into the Black Diamond Cup competition full of confidence. Make sure to keep an eye on Killarney Vale – No doubt Coach Peter Kelleher and Assistant Coach Murray Schubert (fresh off preparing for a marathon himself) will have the Bombers fit, fired up and ready to launch for a big 2020. This really is anyone’s competition with Cardiff, Terrigal Avoca and Wyong Lakes all finalists in 2019 looking for redemption in season 2020.

Competing Teams: Cardiff, Killarney Vale, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Nelson Bay, Newcastle City, Terrigal Avoca, Wallsend West Newcastle, Warners Bay, Wyong Lakes

Marquee Games:
Round 1:
Newcastle City vs. Killarney Vale (No.1 Sportsground)

Round 3 (ANZAC Day):
Newcastle City vs. Maitland (No.1 Sportsground)

Warners Bay vs. Cardiff (Feighan Oval)

Round 7:
Nelson Bay vs. Newcastle City (Dick Burwell Oval)

Round 8:
Maitland vs. Wyong Lakes (Max McMahon)

Round 11:
Wyong Lakes vs. Killarney Vale (Don Small Oval or Northlakes Oval TBC)

Round 13:
Cardiff vs. Wallsend-West Newcastle (Pasterfield Sports Complex)

Round 16:
Lake Macquarie vs. Wallsend-West Newcastle (Tulkaba Park)

Round 18:
Wallsend-West Newcastle vs. Newcastle City (Bill Elliott Oval)

Round 19:
Terrigal vs. Newcastle City (Hylton Moore)

 

Black Diamond Plate Men’s:

The refreshed Black Diamond Plate competition for 2020 will see perennial reserve grade powerhouses Terrigal Avoca (Back to Back Premiers) and Newcastle City (2019 finalist) join first grade teams from Wallsend West Newcastle, Muswellbrook (2019 finalist), TEBB (2019 Grand finalist) with a Lake Macquarie club searching for a return to Cup football in the coming years. In season 2020 BarTV will cover Black Diamond Plate games as the feature matches for the first time. This competition will be red hot – Watch this space for great footy.

Competing Teams: Lake Macquarie, Muswellbrook, Newcastle City, Terrigal Avoca, The Entrance Bateau Bay, Wallsend West Newcastle

Marquee Games:
Round 1:
Newcastle City vs. Muswellbrook (No.1 Sportsground)

Round 3:
The Entrance Bateau Bay vs. Muswellbrook (Bateau Bay Sports Facility)

Round 9:
Lake Macquarie vs. Muswellbrook (Tulkaba Park)

Round 13:
Terrigal Avoca vs. Newcastle City (Hylton Moore)

Round 17:
Muswellbrook vs. Terrigal Avoca (Weeraman Field)

Round 18:
Wallsend-West Newcastle vs. Newcastle City (Bill Elliott Oval)

 

Black Diamond Plate Women’s:

One of the league new competitions in 2020 sees six clubs compete for the Black Diamond Plate Women’s premiership. This will be on the of the closest competition in the league with all clubs entering round 1 expecting to play finals football. Newcastle City will field a second women’s team after a one-year hiatus, and no doubt the Blues will be looking to take home both women’s premiership in 2020. However, they will have to deal with both Singleton and Gosford who will be eyeing off a move to the Cup in coming years along with Muswellbrook, TEBB and Port Stephens who will no doubt taste victory numerous times in season 2020.

Competing Teams: Gosford, Muswellbrook, Newcastle City, Port Stephens, Singleton, The Entrance Bateau Bay

Marquee Games:
Round 1:
Singleton vs. Port Stephens (Rose Point Park)

Round 5:
Gosford vs. Muswellbrook (Adcock Park)

Round 7:
Muswellbrook vs. The Entrance Bateau Bay (Weeraman Field)

Round 11:
Newcastle City vs. The Entrance Bateau Bay (No.1 Sportsground)

Round 16:
Gosford vs. Singleton (Adcock Park)

Round 19:
Port Stephens vs. Newcastle City (Ferodale Oval)

 

Black Diamond Shield Men’s:

The Black Diamond Shield will see the reserve grade teams for Cup clubs (except Newcastle City, Terrigal Avoca and Nelson Bay) play off in the league’s newest competition. This will be a fantastic competition will all teams expecting big things for there up and coming players along with continue consistent performances from the club’s veterans. Keep an eye out for the talent coming through at all clubs with a watch on Killarney Vale and Gosford on the coast while Cardiff and Warners Bay will be right amongst it come September.

Competing Teams: Cardiff, Gosford, Killarney Vale, Maitland, Singleton, Warners Bay, Wyong Lakes

Marquee Games:
Round 1:Marquee Games:
Warners Bay vs. Killarney Vale (Feighan Oval)

Round 6:
Maitland vs. Gosford (Max McMahon)

Round 9:
Cardiff vs. Killarney Vale (Pasterfield Sports Complex)

Round 12:
Singleton vs. Wyong Lakes (Rose Point Park)

Round 16:
Wyong Lakes vs. Maitland (The Don)

Round 19:
Gosford vs. Killarney Vale (Adock Park)

 

AFL HCC Social Competition:

Once again AFL HCC will be running a social competition in 2020, the league is in discussions with clubs on the format. However, the anticipated start is late April with 5-6 games to be played across the season. The Grand Final will be streamed live on Bar TV and held at the highest ranked clubs home ground (as at the end of the home and away season). If you are interested in social football (over 32’s) please speak to your club and make sure they enter a team!