AFL HUNTER CENTRAL COAST ROUND 5 PREVIEWS by Alex Tigani

AFL BLACK DIAMOND MENS CUP

Nelson Bay vs. Killarney Vale (1pm)

They were the two feel good stories of 2022. The Killarney Vale Bombers broke a 15-year premiership drought in the top tier on grand final day while across the road at Bateau Bay the temporarily demoted Nelson Bay line-up grabbed hold of the Plate premiership from third position of the table. Now the void left by last year’s premiership heroes such as Bombers Tim Oosterhoff and Trent Stubbs and Marlins Craig Bird and Wayd Blackburne will be filled by the incoming talents of season 2023. On one end, Alec Clark has been a welcomed return for the Marlins while on the other Tristan Barnett enters off of a five-goal haul against Singleton.

On paper this should be a one-sided clash in favour of the visitors. However that is not say the Marlins are destined for a winless season on account of the culture set up by playing coach Nic Griffith. Expect the Marlins to put up an early fight and remain competitive ahead of the following week’s bottom of the table clash against Singleton.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Ben Simpson (Killarney Vale). Continually named the Bombers best when facing off against the Marlins in last year’s Plate competition.

LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 6, 2020. Nelson Bay 12.13 (85) defeated by Killarney Vale 14.8 (92) at Dick Burwell Oval.

FINAL PREDICTION: Killarney Vale by 80 points.

Singleton vs. The Entrance Bateau Bay (2pm on Bar TV)

A must win game for both sides. The Singleton Roosters have peeled off the band-aid by facing off against last year’s top three sides and are ready to post their opening win of the season. However such was the disappointment of their second half against Cardiff, registering 1.1 (7) to the Hawks’ 10.7 (67), that the fitness component of Tuesday night’s training was doubled by coach Tim Hare. On the other hand, the absence of Scott Reed was not enough for Blues coach Cori Hopper to justify the 183-point defeat handed by the Panthers. Hence Thursday night’s strenuous training session. It is hard to look past this clash as the game of the round.

The Roosters will still be without Elliot-Davey medallist Andrew Scott however the absence of Tristan Carter, Dane Amidy (unavailable) and Josh Jackson (ankle) should still enable the home side to enter as favourites.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Dylan Bennett (The Entrance Bateau Bay). The speedster returns after claiming a silver medal at the Australian Ultimate Frisbee titles.

LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 16, 2017. Singleton 26.18 (174) defeated The Entrance Bateau Bay 0.1 (1) at Rose Point Park.

FINAL PREDICTION: Singleton by 15 points.

Cardiff vs. Terrigal Avoca (3pm)

It is very hard to preview Terrigal-Avoca when you have not seen the Panthers play yet. That will all change after the grand final rematch in eight days’ time. Until then, we have a mouth-watering contest between two premiership contenders. The Panthers enter off of a 28-goal win which saw returning spearhead Brandon Thomas slot seven goals while regular contributors Harrison Pitt and Luke Bury combined for eight.

Such has been the hype around Cardiff’s teenage brigade that the five combined goals from Matt Vucovich and Zac Hopper in their first game together for the year almost went under the rug. The Hawks made a big statement against the Panthers this week last year however it is hard seeing them replicate that performance. Pencil in the Panthers.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Lachlan White (Terrigal Avoca). The wizard contributed two goals against the Blues last week.

LAST TIME THEY MET: Preliminary final, 2022. Terrigal Avoca 10.12 (72) defeated Cardiff 3.7 (25) at Feighan Oval.

FINAL PREDICTION: Terrigal Avoca by 36.

Maitland vs. Warners Bay

The Maitland Saints may not be the premiership favourite however they are in the box seat for their first top tier finals series in recent memory. Sam Jordan continued to impress down back against Newcastle City last week, Jordan Haddow impressed the visitors and Zak Stewart appeared to have done enough to claim an Elliott Davey medal vote in the 38-point defeat. If the Saints can add a key forward to compliment Riley Hawes and Walter Pankhurst up front, then they may even feature permanently in the top three.

After a 0-3 start to the season, Warners Bay celebrated a redeeming win over Nelson Bay and drove straight to No.1 Sportsground to dissect Maitland’s new recruits, structures and positives in the second half of their clash against Newcastle City. Bulldog Thomas Grimmer will face off against his former side for the first time. Expect a highly motivated Bulldogs midfield.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Jake Cerniauskas (Warners Bay). He may be the Bulldogs’ top contender for this year’s team of the year.

LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 7, 2022. Warners Bay 11.9 (75) defeated Maitland 4.5 (29) at Feighan Oval.

FINAL PREDICTION: Maitland by 18.

AFL BLACK DIAMOND WOMENS CUP

Singleton vs. Killarney Vale (12pm on BarTV)

Killarney Vale remain undefeated in the women’s cup competition however they must get over their Rose Point Park hoodoo after the Singleton Roosterettes kept them goalless the last time they played off at the venue. The Bombers will be missing five key players this Saturday however they welcome the return of Jazmyn Bender, Holly Gibbons, Lucy Watson and Emmerson Squires.

The Roosterettes welcome back former captains Liz Moule, Tori Cowburn and a host of talent but will be without gun midfielder Alix O’Bryan who fractured her fibula. Expect a low scoring defensive game from end to end with players from both sides slotting into a range of positions. My heart says Singleton will pull off an upset win but the Bombers should do enough to claim a 4-0 start ahead of their clash against Terrigal Avoca.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Eliza Hand (Killarney Vale). The Singleton raised ruck returns to her hometown alongside teammate Holly Bryson, granddaughter of Singleton community legends Cliff and Jane, in her second women’s cup match.

LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 17, 2022. Killarney Vale 5.7 (37) defeated Singleton 1.5 (11) at Adelaide Street Oval.

FINAL PREDICTION: Killarney Vale by 10 points.

Lake Macquarie vs. Warners Bay (12pm)

It is not fair to pick a winner here. Momentum could go either way in this contest as both sides hope to secure their maiden win for season 2023. Dockers goal-sneak Emma Jayne Howe will be able to return to the forward line after assisting her squad down back while Tahlia Thompson, who looks every chance of earning a spot in this year’s team of the year, will not be restricted on the last line of defence either.

Warners Bay showed much more improvement from their Anzac Day clash against Cardiff during their away defeat to Terrigal Avoca five days later. Iesha Veness celebrated her first goal in her new colours while on the other end Grace Hamilton has proven to be one of the best lockdown defenders in women’s football. Again, this game could go either way. Perhaps the return of Alice Chandler, Jaz Hooke and Monique Maddalena may be the difference for the visitors this Saturday?

PLAYER TO WATCH: Jasmine Wellings (Warners Bay). Inspired her side to a 48-point win with two goals the last time they played the Dockers, she celebrates her 50th game.

LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 13, 2021. Warners Bay 7.9 (51) defeated Lake Macquarie 0.3 (3) at Feighan Oval.

FINAL PREDICTION: Warners Bay by 20.

Cardiff vs. Terrigal Avoca (1pm)

The Cardiff Hawks spread their wings against Singleton and Warners Bay with ease in recent weeks. Madeline Smith, who scored a goal the last time these two sides met, also enters May as one of her side’s best. They now face last year’s semi-finalist.

Terrigal Avoca ticked every box on Saturday from the ground skills of Catrin Donnelly to the five-goal haul from Kirstie Hutton. They now hope to climb above Cardiff in the premiership race.

More often than not you back the home team however on paper Terrigal Avoca’s half forwards should be able to break through Cardiff’s last line of defence. Interestingly, both sides will play one of last year’s grand finalist the following week.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Erin Wakefield (Terrigal Avoca). A top performer all year round.

LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 18, 2022. Terrigal Avoca 3.4 (22) defeated by Cardiff 8.10 (58) at Hylton Moore Oval.

FINAL PREDICTION: Terrigal Avoca by 12 points.

Remaining clashes:

Mens Plate

11am – Cardiff vs. Terrigal Avoca at Pasterfield Sports Complex

2pm – Wyong Magpies vs. Warners Bay at Don Small Oval

Womens Plate

9:20am – Cardiff vs. Terrigal Avoca at Pasterfield Sports Complex

12pm – Maitland vs. Port Stephens at Max McMahon Oval

12:20pm – Gosford vs. The Entrance Bateau Bay at Adcock Park

1pm – Muswellbrook vs. Killarney Vale at Weeramen Fields

Mens Shield

10am – Singleton vs. Muswellbrook at Adcock Park

10am – Maitland vs. Lake Macquarie at Max McMahon Oval

2pm – Gosford vs. The Entrance Bateau Bay at Adcock 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.

(Photo supplied by Bruzer Photography)