AFL HUNTER CENTRAL COAST ROUND 4 PREVIEWS
by Alex Tigani
AFL BLACK DIAMOND MENS CUP
Nelson Bay vs. Warners Bay (1pm)
What looked like a one-sided affair a few days ago may now just as easily be the game of the round. The Bulldogs had no answers for Cardiff on Tuesday as the Hawks’ strung the opening twelve goals of the match. Warners Bay coach Nathan Harkness will hope for a redeeming performance from his best available side.
The match will mark the Marlins’ first game at home since their men’s plate premiership in 2022. Though key grand final heroes Craig Bird, Louis Dews, Billy Barton, Kael and Wayd Blackburn have called time on their careers the return of Matt and Lachlan Blyth was evident against Maitland on Saturday as Nic Griffith’s men held an early lead at the first break.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Matt Blyth (Nelson Bay). The premiership skipper is back.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 13, 2021. Warners Bay 19.26 (140) defeated Nelson Bay 1.2 (8) at Feighan Oval.
FINAL PREDICTION: Warners Bay by 10.
Terrigal Avoca vs. The Entrance Bateau Bay (2pm)
A two-goal contribution from returning big man Luke Bury would not be enough for the Panthers who dropped down to fourth on the table after their defeat to Newcastle City. Though the Panthers are expected to enter this clash as the hot favourite, a loss to the Blues and a win for Cardiff will see Chris Bishop’s men drop out of the top five for the first time in recent memory.
The Blues proudly hold onto their spot in the five thanks to an impressive performance against Nelson Bay in Round 2. Adam Lyons and Taf Lewis stood strong with six goals each while big man Jacob Jackson comes in for his first club game in the absence of Scott Reed.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Chris Bishop (Terrigal Avoca). The Panthers were unable to get the win for the AFL Hunter Central Coast legend’s 250th club match. Perhaps they can make up for it this Saturday?
FINAL PREDICTION: Terrigal Avoca by 60 points.
Cardiff vs. Singleton (3pm)
Can Singleton scalp a maiden win for 2023? The Roosters, aiming to improve on last year’s 1-12 record, have had the unenviable task of opening the season against last year’s top three sides in chronological order. The absence of 2019 Elliott-Davey medallist Andrew Scott has also been worth noting.
At first this looked to be an arm wrestle however Cardiff’s dismantling of Warners Bay on Tuesday proved they are ready for another attempt to end the premiership drought. Second year recruit Zac Hopper returned with three goals, teenage talents Billy King, Tahi Brain and Lachlan Manning were crowd favourites and Liam Cathcart proved lethal at full back.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Alex Bateman (Singleton Roosters). After an injury riddled 2022 the talented Mount Isa ball winner makes his long-awaited top tier debut.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 17, 2022. Singleton 7.5 (45) defeated by Cardiff 16.8 (104) at Rose Point Park.
FINAL PREDICTION: Cardiff by 48.
Newcastle City vs. Maitland (5pm on BarTV)
When these two sides played off in 2021, a ten-goal haul from Mitchell Crawford secured his side a 131-point win. Fast forward to this Saturday’s clash and the two clubs enter this top of the table clash with a 3-0 record. Newcastle City remains the favourite in this clash and look every chance to start the season with 9-0 record ahead of their Round 11 clash with Killarney Vale.
Though Maitland’s teenage talents Hamish Roy, Zack Stewart and Riley Newstead have been exceptional keep an eye on the line-up’s back six. The Saints conceded 15+ goals in 11 of their 15 games in 2022 yet when challenging The Entrance Bateau Bay, Cardiff and Nelson Bay this year they have not conceded more than the Hawks’ 5.11 (41). Newcastle City’s average score this year has been 9.12 (66) therefore we will have a BarTV blockbuster this Saturday.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Jack Woodhams (Newcastle City). Performs in the big games whether playing for the Portarlington Demons on ANZAC Day or nailing five goals against Terrigal Avoca. A genuine team of the year contender.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 7, 2022. Maitland 6.9 (45) defeated by Newcastle City 15.12 (102) at Max McMahon Oval.
FINAL PREDICTION: Newcastle City by 40 points.
AFL BLACK DIAMOND WOMENS CUP
Newcastle City vs. Lake Macquarie (3pm on BarTV)
Both sides had a very memorable September. Newcastle City celebrated a narrow three-point grand final win to secure their sixth out of the competition’s first seven top tier women’s premierships while Lake Macquarie’s 19-point women’s plate grand final win over Cardiff marked the club’s first senior flag since forming in late 1996.
Newcastle City’s Anna Ralston celebrated her 100th game with a 27-point win over Terrigal Avoca last week. Now the spotlight is on club legend Casey Eacott who lines up for her 100th game while it would be remiss of us not to also mention Taylah Wiggins in her 50th appearance. Expect a one-sided affair in favour of the home side while Lake Macquarie will display grit and determination ahead of next week’s bottom of the table clash against Warners Bay.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Tilly Englert (Newcastle City). The eighth player to be granted a senior debut by new coach Brett Godfrey.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 12, 2021. Lake Macquarie 0.0 (0) defeated by Newcastle City 21.27 (154) at Tulkaba Park.
FINAL PREDICTION: Newcastle City by 80.
Terrigal Avoca vs. Warners Bay (12pm)
What you see is what you get with both sides. Terrigal Avoca are knocking on the door of a grand final berth and are ready to make a statement ahead of their Round 6 clash with fellow contender Killarney Vale. Warners Bay still have some areas to improve on which will make this Saturday’s clash entertaining.
Expect a large win by the Panthers who have been rejuvenated by the return of Emily Smith. Olivia Trinka slotted six goals against the Bulldogs last year, her spot is not a void which desperately needs to be filled on account of the Panthers’ multiple avenues to goal. Warners Bay will hope to get through this clash unscathed ahead of the following week’s bottom of the table clash with Lake Macquarie.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Monique Maddalena (Warners Bay). Stood strong in defence throughout the first half against Cardiff.
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 70 points.
Cardiff vs. Singleton (1pm)
By far the game of the round in the women’s cup competition. The Roosterettes will enter refreshed off of a two week break in comparison with Cardiff’s five-day turnaround. Teenagers Alix O’Bryan and Faith Radmacher bring youth and speed to Nadene McBride’s midfield. Though Singleton will be without Molly Thomas, Ella McLeod, Tori Cowburn and Hannah Cox they are still every chance to scalp a second win.
Cardiff responded to a scoreless 67-point defeat to a premiership contender with a dominant 59-point win over a cellar dweller, so it is still hard to gage if they are ready for finals. Georgia Box finished with four goals on Tuesday while fellow teenagers Hayley Hawkins, Tameka Chambers and Charlotte Day were also impressive.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Emily Docking (Singleton Roosterettes). The first-year recruit can play multiple roles when the game is up for grabs.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 11, 2022. Singleton 2.3 (15) defeated by Cardiff 6.16 (52) at Rose Point Park.
FINAL PREDICTION: Cardiff by 25 points.
Remaining clashes:
Mens Plate
10:30am – Killarney Vale vs. Warners Bay at Adelaide Street Oval
1pm – Newcastle City vs. Wyong Magpies at No.1 Sportsground
Womens Plate
9:20am – Newcastle City vs. Maitland at No.1 Sportsground
10:20am – Terrigal Avoca vs. The Entrance Bateau Bay at Hylton Moore Oval
11:20am – Cardiff vs. Gosford at Max McMahon Oval
12:20pm – Muswellbrook vs. Port Stephens at Weeramen Fields
Mens Shield
11am – Gosford Newcastle City vs. Maitland at Adcock Park
12pm – Singleton vs. The Entrance Bateau Bay at Max McMahon Oval
2pm – Muswellbrook vs. Gosford at Weeraman Fields
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.
(Photo supplied by Bruzer Photography)
