Senior Preliminary Finals Previews 2022
Photo: Geoff Robinson
AFL HUNTER CENTRAL COAST WEEK 3 FINALS PREVIEWS by Alex Tigani
AFL BLACK DIAMOND MENS CUP
Preliminary final (2:15pm – Feighan Oval)
Terrigal Avoca (2nd) vs. Cardiff (3rd)
So, who plays Killarney Vale?
Many around Adelaide Street Oval are still adamant the Panthers will return with a vengeance on grand final day after the Bombers’ 25-point win on Saturday.
Other Cup coaches believe the Hawks can prevail if they limit the supply of Panthers’ spearhead Harrison Pitt on one end and hack the ball forward low to aid small forward and hinder Chris Bishop’s tall backline.
Personally, I believe the Hawks possess one of the best midfields on account of their ability to switch across the centre corridor – a delight to supporters but a genuine expectation for coach Danny Priest.
However if there are three certainties in life they are death, taxes and Terrigal Avoca making a statement in the finals. Expect a highly a congested wet weather footy game which will not be decided until the third term.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Matt Vukovich (Cardiff). The key defender has only been named in his side’s best players twice in 2022 because he is usually sacrificing his own game on a key forward (hint hint). Cardiff captain Jack Pratt is also known to have a trick up his sleeve when a game is still in balance.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 18, 2022. Terrigal Avoca 15.11 (101) defeated Cardiff 11.8 (74) at Hylton Moore Oval.
THE WINNER WILL PLAY: Killarney Vale.
FINAL PREDICTION: Terrigal Avoca by 24 points.
AFL BLACK DIAMOND WOMENS CUP
Preliminary final (12pm – Feighan Oval)
Cardiff (2nd) vs. Killarney Vale (4th)
Can Killarney Vale do the impossible and reach the grand final from fourth spot?
If Skye Bailey and Bethany Wood continue their red-hot September form then there’s every chance the Bombers will continue to fly up. On paper Cardiff are a class above however young Nikita Carter inspired her side to remain competitive with the Hawks in Round 9 despite being limited to one on the bench from the second term. That was an afternoon of high pressure footy as the Bombers took away the Hawks’ time and space.
However, if there is one team that will give Newcastle City a challenge on grand final day it is Cardiff who have limited the ladder leader to their three lowest scores since Round 4. This clash will be won from Cardiff’s taller back line.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Ashleigh Page (Killarney Vale). Has the ability to hit targets on the run or on the outside of her boot. Scores goals early and applies forward pressure.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 12, 2022. Cardiff 9.12 (66) defeated Killarney Vale 1.1 (7) at Pasterfield Sports Complex.
THE WINNER WILL PLAY: Newcastle City.
FINAL PREDICTION: Cardiff by 40 points.
AFL BLACK DIAMOND MENS PLATE
Preliminary final (2:10pm – Tulkaba Park)
Newcastle City (1st) vs. The Entrance Bateau Bay (2nd)
There are many motivating factors which would indicate a Newcastle City victory this Saturday. The club’s remaining two men’s line-ups were eliminated last week therefore player availability will increase to an already impressive line-up featuring Louis Selkirk, Cameron Keast, Luke Rawnsley and Carter Lovell.
Newcastle City will come in hungry after they were held to their lowest score of the season against Nelson Bay. They will also want to make a statement on the scoreboard after Mason Pippen, who scored six goals against the Blues in Round 16, was held to one in last week’s 20-point defeat.
The Entrance Bateau Bay was granted the home ground advantage when returning from their disastrous 117-point qualifying final defeat and only managed a one-point win against the Panthers. Though you can never count out a side with Scott Reed, it is Newcastle City’s match to lose.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Tristan Carter (The Entrance Bateau Bay) has been a shining light for the Blues in the opening two weeks of finals.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 16, 2022. Newcastle City 4.8 (32) defeated by The Entrance Bateau Bay 22.13 (145) at Bateau Bay Oval.
THE WINNER WILL PLAY: Nelson Bay.
FINAL PREDICTION: Newcastle City by 36 points.
Former teammates Tristan Carter, Bailey Carney, Adam “Sneaky” Miller, Leigtham Carney and Cooper MacKay battled off in a semi-final decided by one-point on Saturday.
AFL BLACK DIAMOND WOMENS PLATE
Preliminary final (11:30am – Tulkaba Park)
Newcastle City (3rd) vs. Lake Macquarie (2nd)
If this Saturday’s clash is anything like what we witnessed at Dick Burwell Oval then we are set for a thriller.
Newcastle City have the run, the youth and the multiple avenues to goal. They met their match against Cardiff last week however will be entering this preliminary final knowing they are more than capable of defeating the Dockers.
There are no more second chances for Lake Macquarie who will welcome the home ground advantage. Ultimately, this match may come down to the accuracy of leading goal-kicker Emma Jayne-Howe who was limited to two goals when held down by Kat Stellmaker in the qualifying final.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Chelsea Flemming (Lake Macquarie). The midfielder will want to win plenty of footy to supply the Dockers’ forwards early.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Qualifying Final, 2022. Lake Macquarie 4.4 (28) defeated by Newcastle City 7.7 (49) at Dick Burwell Oval.
THE WINNER WILL PLAY: Cardiff.
FINAL PREDICTION: Lake Macquarie by 18 points.
AFL BLACK DIAMOND MENS SHIELD
Preliminary final (9:30am – Feighan Oval)
Gosford (2nd) vs. Muswellbrook (3rd)
A long list of Warners Bay talents will gather at Feighan Oval to see who their boys will play in the grand final. On paper the Gosford Tigers should be able to get the job done when entering the competition directly from the top tier. Recent Cup talents such as Lachlan Henderson and Daniel White will be doing everything in their power to cut the Cat’s forward entries early.
The Cats celebrated a convincing win over Newcastle City and have established themselves as the masters of twilight footy in recent weeks. Can their momentum be replicated mid-morning?
Muswellbrook Cats stalwart Ken Garland was chaired off for his 200th game last week. The 46-year-old will hope to finish his career with 202 if the Cats are successful this week.
The return of Matt Dunn also lifted his side’s class last week. Will he make history in a fortnight’s time?
PLAYER TO WATCH: Mark McLaughlin (Muswellbrook Cats). After a 150-game career the key defender may also be close to retirement. He will hope to finish his decorated career with a drought breaking premiership.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 14, 2022. Muswellbrook 6.9 (45) defeated by Gosford 7.7 (49) at Weeraman Fields.
THE WINNER WILL PLAY: Warners Bay.
FINAL PREDICTION: Muswellbrook Cats by 4 points.
Photo caption 2 – Muswellbrook Cat Ken Garland pictured with family and friends on Saturday after his 200th game. He commenced his career at age 29.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alex Tigani is the deputy editor of The Hunter River Times newspaper who enters his second season on the AFL Hunter Central Coast BarTV commentary team. Prior to his stint in the Hunter Valley he was the editor of the Geelong and District Football League record, presenter on the GDFL Footy Show (Channel 31 Melbourne and Geelong) and a gameday reporter for the Geelong Advertiser.
Email: alex@hunterrivertimes.com.au
Twitter: AETigani
Instagram: Alextigani
