AFL HUNTER CENTRAL COAST ROUND 2 PREVIEWS
by Alex Tigani
AFL BLACK DIAMOND MENS CUP
Newcastle City vs. Killarney Vale
Arguably the game of the round, the Bombers conquered an undermanned Cardiff outfit in the season opener and ticked all boxes for those in attendance. Premiership stars Ryan Arthur and Rick White were influential early, Joshua Mifsud was instrumental in the middle and Nathan Smith scored two long range goals off of half back in the absence of departing names Tim Oosterhoff (Coolamon Rovers), Trent Stubbs (Balmain Dockers) and Aaron Duncan (Parramatta Goannas).
This allowed incoming players such as Tim Hanly, Ben Simpson and goal sneak Tristan Barnett knock on the door with impressive performances. Expect a much closer contest this round after key forwards Josh Taylor and Max Quinlan combined for five goals against Warners Bay.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Joshua Mifsud (Killarney Vale). The ball winner looks on track to claim a club record fourth best and fairest award.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 15, 2022. Newcastle City 6.6 (42) defeated by Killarney Vale 10.7 (67) at Hawkins Oval.
FINAL PREDICTION: Killarney Vale by 36 points.
Warners Bay vs. Terrigal Avoca
Terrigal Avoca kick started the season with a convincing win over the Singleton Roosters. Harrison Pitt was the star in the season opener with five goals while fellow tall Adam Miller was named in the best after an injury plagued 2022 season.
Warners Bay proved to have the fitness against Newcastle City in their season however it was hard to recover from their inaccurate opening term, registering 0.7 to 2.3 at Feighan Oval. The matchup of the day will take place between key forward Brandt Job and Panthers’ defender Scott Burkinshaw. This could be the Bulldogs’ biggest challenge of the season before playing Cardiff, Nelson Bay and Maitland (all away).
PLAYER TO WATCH: Mitchell Price (Terrigal Avoca). The league’s best ruckman kept his line-up in contention to win last year’s grand final when moving forward.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 16, 2022. Warners Bay 6.7 (43) defeated by Terrigal Avoca 15.9 (99) at Feighan Oval.
FINAL PREDICTION: Terrigal Avoca by 50 points.
Maitland vs. Cardiff
A must win game for Cardiff who were kept to two goals in their season opening clash at the Adelaide Street Oval. Cardiff coach Danny Priest has had to rearrange the magnets after ruckman Billy King (ankle) and wingman Tim Martini (hand) suffered injuries and it is unclear who will be their main avenue to goal following the departure of Trevon Sherrin. Nevertheless the return of Zach Hopper in the middle will ensure the line-up the required fire power.
Maitland registered nine unanswered goals in their first of three opening home matches. Riley Hawes starred with five goals and will be one for Cardiff leaders Jack Pratt and Bryce Greitz to keep a watchful eye on in the middle.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Jarrod Steinert (Cardiff). This is the first time the ball winner will face off against his former side at Max McMahon Oval. He was named as his side’s best the last time they met.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 15, 2022. Maitland 6.5 (41) defeated by Cardiff 13.10 (88) at Max McMahon Oval.
FINAL PREDICTION: Cardiff by 12 points.
The Entrance Bateau Bay vs. Nelson Bay
Cori Hopper made a great point ahead of seeing these two sides clash in last year’s qualifying final. Even at men’s plate level both sides possessed former AFL stars with former Collingwood rookie Scott Reed lining up for the Blues and Sydney premiership star Craig Bird returning to his junior club.
The Blues suffered a 20-goal defeat that afternoon and Hopper has now swapped his commentary headset back for his coaching hat. Expect improvement from his line-up in their first home clash for the season. The Marlins have lost a handful of names from last year’s premiership side including Bird, Wayd Blackburn, Billy Barton and Aaron Crouch yet will still enter this match-up as favourite.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Harrison Lack (Nelson Bay). The tall defender has been labelled as the league’s answer to Geelong’s Tom Stewart following his best on ground performance in last year’s grand final.
FINAL PREDICTION: Nelson Bay by 20 points.
AFL BLACK DIAMOND WOMENS CUP
Newcastle City vs. Killarney Vale
Newcastle City commenced its quest for a five-peat of premierships with a whopping 15.16 (106) to 0.0 (0) win over Warners Bay in Round 1. Bille Taylor was named as the powerhouse’s best player following a successful 2022 season at Women’s Plate level while Sarah Halverson slotted five goals in her first club game since her best on ground performance in last year’s grand final.
Killarney Vale also impressed in their 8.13 (61) to 0.0 (0) win over Cardiff. Former state netball representative Eliza Hand was the standout for the Bombers while Eliza Johnson converted the long-distance goal of the season. Expect a low scoring thriller.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Sarah Halverson (Newcastle City). Enough said.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Grand final, 2022. Newcastle City 3.6 (24) defeated Killarney Vale 3.3 (21) at Adelaide Street Oval.
FINAL PREDICTION: Killarney Vale by 2 points.
Warners Bay vs. Terrigal Avoca
Expect another long season for Warners Bay despite their long list of recruits from Wallsend West Newcastle. It is unlikely the Bulldogs will be able to bounce back from their scoreless 106-point defeat yet they are every chance to display some improvement ahead of their Anzac Day clash with Cardiff.
A 2-0 record on the road would be the ideal start to the season for the Panthers who proved to be the most accurate starting line-up with an early 6.0 (36) scoreline at Rose Point Park. Erin Wakefield will be hard to shut down after contributing three of the Panthers’ nine goals against Singleton.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Hannah Murray (Terrigal Avoca). An accountable footballer who slotted two goals in the opening round.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 16, 2022. Warners Bay 1.0 (6) defeated by Terrigal Avoca 20.14 (134) at Feighan Oval.
FINAL PREDICTION: Terrigal Avoca by 80 points.
Lake Macquarie vs. Singleton
These two sides showcased a Women’s Plate grand final for the ages in 2020 as the Roosterettes stormed home to claim the 13-point win. A lot has changed since. Lake Macquarie captain Sheldon Jannisen enters this clash off of a league best and fairest winning season sharing a premiership with goal-kicker Emma-Jayne Howe.
The Dockers will be fresh after a bye in the opening round while the visitors will welcome back Lynan Scott who was unavailable for the season opener. Forget zones, kick out strategies and double teaming – this clash will come down to pure one-on-one footy.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Molly Thomas (Singleton Roosterettes). Can play midfield or forward, the teenager looks forward to celebrating her first senior win.
FINAL PREDICTION: Singleton by 30 points.
Remaining clashes:
Mens Plate
10:30am – Warners Bay vs. Terrigal Avoca at Feighan Oval
1pm – Newcastle City vs. Killarney Vale at No1 Sportsground
2pm – Wyong Lakes vs. Cardiff at Don Small Oval
Womens Plate
9:20am – Newcastle City vs. Killarney Vale at No1 Sportsground
10:20am – The Entrance Bateau Bay vs. Muswellbrook at Bateau Bay Oval
12pm – Port Stephens vs. Terrigal Avoca at Ferodale Oval
12:20pm – Maitland vs. Cardiff at Max McMahon Oval
Mens Shield
11am – Newcastle City vs. Gosford at No1 Sportsground
12pm –The Entrance Bateau Bay vs. Muswellbrook at Bateau Bay Oval
2pm – Lake Macquarie vs. Singleton at Tulkaba Park
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alex Tigani is the deputy editor of The Hunter River Times newspaper who enters his third 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 freelance writer for the Geelong Advertiser.
