AFL HUNTER CENTRAL COAST ROUND 3 PREVIEWS
By Alex Tigani
The Maitland Saints have ticked the first two boxes of the season with wins against The Entrance Bateau Bay and Cardiff. Sam Jordan continues to be in team of the year contention following his two-goal performance against the Hawks while Matthew Ireland is also on the radar. The Saints are in the box seat to enter their clash against Newcastle City with a 3-0 record.
Nelson Bay suffered a one-sided defeat in their opening match of the season however many players were unavailable on Saturday due to a function. Expect improvement from the Marlins by the time they face off against The Entrance Bateau Bay in Round 11.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Jay Jeffrey (Nelson Bay). The pinch-hit ruckman played well in his first game on Saturday.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 7, 2021. Maitland 19.11 (125) defeated Nelson Bay 5.3 (33) at Max McMahon Oval.
FINAL PREDICTION: Maitland by 50 points.
Killarney Vale vs. Singleton
These two sides have produced some cracking contests in recent years. The Roosters celebrated a semi-final win in 2019 and a one-point thriller in 2020 before the Bombers have run away with a few wins since. Killarney Vale’s wayward kicking against Newcastle City saw the Bombers register 4.15, bringing a sudden end to their six-game winning streak.
The Roosters will enter refreshed after a three week break from their opening round defeat to Terrigal Avoca. Midfield arrangements from coach Tim Hare and ruckman Jackson Channon may throw a spanner in the works in what should be a tight contest.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Lachlan Waters (Killarney Vale). The midfielder was the Bombers’ best contributor against Newcastle City last week.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 17, 2022. Killarney Vale 28.19 (187) defeated Singleton 1.3 (9) at Adelaide Street Oval.
FINAL PREDICTION: Killarney Vale by 10 points.
Terrigal Avoca vs. Newcastle City
Could this be the grand final preview? The Panthers have commenced the season with away wins over Singleton and Warners Bay and prepare for their biggest challenge this Saturday. Down back Scott Burkinshaw and co. will nullify the visitors’ forward options who have posted two modest final scores in their opening wins – 10.9 (69) and 7.6 (48). Up forward, Mitchell Price and Harrison Pitt have combined for only 50% of the side’s 26 goals so far this season therefore the line-up have a variety of avenues.
Ultimately, this game will be won in the middle. Newcastle City’s Anthony Baker may be well on his way to another Elliott-Davey medal while fellow medallist Jack Grimmond-Lee has been named in the best both weeks.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Jayson Van Dam (Terrigal Avoca). A modern day great at the Hylton Moore Oval.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 17, 2022. Newcastle City 4.9 (33) defeated by Terrigal Avoca 15.9 (98) at Hawkins Oval.
FINAL PREDICTION: Terrigal Avoca by 30 points.
Cardiff vs. Warners Bay (Bar TV on Tuesday)
We return to the Pasterfield Sporting Complex on Tuesday for our annual Anzac Day clash with both sides looking for a win. There will be plenty of exciting match-ups such as Warners Bay defender Jake Cerniauskas potential assignment on William Graetz after the former Wagga Swan scored two crucial goals for the Hawks on Saturday and forward Brandt Job who will be guarded by key defender Matt Vukovich.
Many of the league’s younger stars such as Cardiff ruckman Billy King and Warners Bay forward/Lake Macquarie junior Tyler Ford look set to entertain us from start to finish. This game could go either way.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Tahi Brain (Cardiff). A ball winner from Tasmania, already a frontrunner for this year’s rising star award.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 17, 2022. Cardiff 9.16 (70) defeated Warners Bay 8.8 (56) at Pasterfield Sports Complex.
FINAL PREDICTION: Warners Bay by 24.
AFL BLACK DIAMOND WOMENS CUP
Killarney Vale vs. Lake Macquarie
A match two years in the making. The Killarney Vale Bombers were scheduled to play host Lake Macquarie in Round 10 of 2021. Only 24 hours earlier, the AFL Hunter Central Coast made the decision to postpone the match following the Central Coast’s second lockdown which was eventually announced that Saturday afternoon.
Both sides have showcased the feel good stories in women’s footy when looking back on the past 12 months yet it is hard to look past Killarney Vale on this occasion. Expect Kristen Kessler and Ashleigh Paige to find an early goal while Emily Crookes steers the ship down back.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Tahlia Thompson (Lake Macquarie). Registered a goal against her former club on Saturday.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 9, 2019. Lake Macquarie 1.0 (6) defeated by Killarney Vale 19.10 (124) at Tulkaba Park.
FINAL PREDICTION: Killarney Vale by 70 points.
Terrigal Avoca vs. Newcastle City
Killarney Vale is expected to celebrate a large win over Lake Macquarie so Terrigal Avoca will require a substantial win over the league’s powerhouse to remain on top of the table. It is very hard to penetrate through Newcastle City’s back six but Ariel Gillies will certainly try her best after a memorable four goal haul against the Bulldogs last week.
Unfair to pick a winner in this clash, not even a home advantage will guarantee the Panthers to remain on top of the table by Round 4.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Lillias Gardner (Terrigal Avoca). Expecting a captain’s goal in the third quarter.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 17, 2022. Newcastle City 16.16 (112) defeated Terrigal Avoca 1.2 (8) at Hawkins Oval.
FINAL PREDICTION: Newcastle City by 12 points.
Cardiff vs. Warners Bay (Bar TV on Tuesday)
Were we too harsh on the Cardiff Hawks earlier this month? Can the Hawks fill the void left by Beth Martini and Dannika Spammer? The powerhouse which looked destined for a grand final spot throughout last year’s home and away season failed to register a score against Killarney Vale in Round 1. Fast forward 25 days to their next game and they will be determined to secure their first win before a vocal home crowd.
The Bulldogs are also in search of their first win. Jaz Hooke injected her talent into the side by kicking both of their two goals against Terrigal Avoca.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Jessica Bannerman (Cardiff Hawks). Will be the key floating back while Chelsea Pember continues to nullify the visitors’ key forward.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 17, 2022. Cardiff 14.12 (105) defeated Warners Bay 0.0 (0) at Pasterfield Sports Complex. FINAL PREDICTION: Cardiff by 3 points.
Remaining clashes:
Mens Plate
10:30am – Killarney Vale vs. Wyong Lakes at Adelaide Street Oval
10:30am – Terrigal Avoca vs Newcastle City at Hylton Moore Oval
2pm – Cardiff vs. Warners Bay at Pasterfield Sports Complex **Tuesday
Womens Plate
8:50am – Killarney Vale vs. Gosford at Adelaide Street Oval
8:50am –Terrigal Avoca vs. Newcastle City at Hylton Moore Oval
10:20am – Maitland vs. Muswellbrook at Max McMahon Oval
9:05am – Cardiff vs. The Entrance Bateau Bay at Pasterfield Sports Complex
Mens Shield
12pm – Gosford vs. Singleton at Adcock Park (Forfeit)
12pm – Maitland vs. Muswellbrook at Max McMahon Oval
2pm – Lake Macquarie vs. Newcastle City 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.
