AFL HCC Grand Final Previews 2022
by Alex Tigani
AFL BLACK DIAMOND MENS CUP
Grand final (2:20pm – Adelaide Street Oval)
Killarney Vale (1st) vs. Terrigal Avoca (2nd)
A successful awards night, home ground advantage and a head-to-head winning record will mean nothing to Killarney Vale until they can truly secure an early lead on grand final day.
The Bombers’ midfield proved far superior in their most recent matchup and the extra week’s rest will be an advantage for the likes of Elliott-Davey medal runner up Joshua Mifsud, Rick White, Luke Flack and Ryan Arthur in the opening stages.
The Panthers welcomed back Jonah Duperouzel in their preliminary final win against the Hawks (interestingly, he has not been named) however it was the pinpoint kicking of Chris Bishop which inspired the reigning premiers at Feighan Oval in the finish. Like most grand finals at local level, this decider will be won in the middle.
Expect a low scoring match before a blockbuster crowd at the Adelaide Street Oval. The side with the strongest bench will finish the season with a set of premiership medals.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Brandon Lloyd (Killarney Vale). Lloyd was one of five Bombers to make the team of the year, holding his spot in the starting forward line ahead of talents such as Brandt Job, Zac Lauritsen (Warners Bay), Jed Ellis-Cluff (Singleton), Joshua Taylor (Newcastle City) and teammate Ryan Arthur.
He may have to break the shackles off of Terrigal’s in-form defender Jayson Van Dam early while Elliott Davey medal winner Tim Oosterhoff will once again be marked up by Scott Burkinshaw.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Preliminary Final, 2022.Killarney Vale 9.5 (59) defeated Terrigal Avoca 5.4 (34) at Adelaide Street Oval.
FINAL PREDICTION: Killarney Vale by 6 points.
Tim Oosterhoff (Killarney Vale) pictured ahead of his side’s second semi-final win. He won this week’s Elliott-Davey medal by a single vote, adding to his previous victory in 2018.
AFL BLACK DIAMOND WOMENS CUP
Grand final (11:40am – Adelaide Street Oval)
Newcastle City (1st) vs. Killarney Vale (4th)
Killarney Vale has been the feel-good story of the month. Two finals wins as underdog against quality opposition, key players return to the side and a sea of red and black supporters will be three factors to inspire the Bombers from the first bounce.
Expect a close start. Though the Bombers have not come close to Newcastle City on paper, one BarTV commentator tipped this to be the grand final match up when these sides faced off in July (his name escapes me at the present moment).
Newcastle City faced a gallant Cardiff line-up in the second semi final however the league’s undefeated powerhouse should be raring to go on grand final day. Hard to tip against the minor premier on this occasion (or any other occassion).
PLAYER TO WATCH: Sarah Halvorsen (Newcastle City). The half forward brought the best out of her teammates the last time these two sides went to battle. A former GWS Giant, 2022 team of the year member and favourite for this Saturday’s best on ground medal.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 15, 2022.Newcastle City 15.7 (97) defeated Killarney Vale 1.4 (10) at Hawkins Oval.
FINAL PREDICTION: Newcastle City by 60 points.
AFL BLACK DIAMOND MENS PLATE
Grand final (2:30pm – Bateau Bay Oval)
Nelson Bay (3rd) vs. Newcastle City (1st)
This grand final may be a battle of the forward lines. The Marlins will rely on Granland medallist Wayd Blackburne on one end while the minor premier have proven to have multiple avenues to goal including Jarred Matson who launched four against Singleton at Cup level earlier this year.
Newcastle City appeared to be the superior line-up on preliminary final day however they will need to make a big statement early at Bateau Bay Oval.
Expect Billy Barton and the Marlins’ midfielders to capitalise early and former Sydney Swan Craig Bird to add to his previous AFL premiership with another big finals game.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Cameron Keast (Newcastle City). A proven grand final winner in the Cup competition, the Newcastle City big man finished with three goals in his side’s 55-point preliminary final win.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Semi Final, 2022.Nelson Bay10.10 (70) defeated by Newcastle City 7.8 (50) at Bateau Bay Oval.
FINAL PREDICTION: Nelson Bay by 30 points.
AFL BLACK DIAMOND WOMENS PLATE
Grand final (9:20am – Adelaide Street Oval)
Cardiff (1st) vs. Lake Macquarie (2nd)
This may be the closest grand final out of the five.
The Cardiff Hawks will have a full-strength line-up following the club’s upset preliminary loss in the top tier. They have conquered the past two home and away seasons and will now have a chance to justify this success with the game’s ultimate prize. Cardiff’s defenders restricted the Dockers’ sharp shooters to four goals in the second semi-final.
This premiership will be decided on the Dockers’ scoring end.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Cheyenne Neu (Cardiff). If there was a player capable of scoring the first goal and taking home the best on ground medal look no further than Neu. She slotted four goals the last time these sides met.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 18, 2022.Cardiff 7.3 (45) defeated Lake Macquarie 4.4 (28) at Pasterfield Sports Complex.
FINAL PREDICTION: Lake Macquarie by 9 points.
AFL BLACK DIAMOND SHIELD
Grand final (11:50am – Bateau Bay Oval)
Warners Bay (1st) vs. Muswellbrook (3rd)
Of all the key grand final day match-ups one may determine the outcome of the entire season for the Cats and Dogs. Muswellbrook Cat Hayden Fox will have the role of locking down Warners Bay key forward Ryan Clarke this Saturday. Fox’s aim to nullify the key forward should then enable half back Mark McLaughlin to win plenty of footy.
Clarke has averaged 3.81 goals per game in season 2022. That average is increased to 5 across his games against the Cats. He will again get plenty of supply of the likes of Zac Munz, Ryan Sorensen and Leo Vo.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Luke D’Amico (Muswellbrook Cats). A worthy winner of this year’s league best and fairest.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 18, 2022.Warners Bay 10.3 (63) defeated Muswellbrook 6.3 (39) at Feighan Oval.
FINAL PREDICTION: Muswellbrook Cats by 2 points.
The moment the Muswellbrook Cats secured their spot in this year’s season decider.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alex Tigani is the acting 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
