AFL HUNTER CENTRAL COAST ROUND 7 PREVIEWS by Alex Tigani
AFL BLACK DIAMOND MENS CUP
Maitland vs. Singleton (2pm on Bar TV)
All roads lead to Max McMahon Oval this Saturday for the BarTV match of the round. Last week the Roosters celebrated back-to-back wins for the first time since 2021 thanks to a 11.10 (76) to 4.8 (32) win over Nelson Bay. Now they are in the box seat to climb up the ladder and claim a 3-3 record off the recent form of Kane Symons, Vahid Roser and Jed Ellis-Cluff. The Roosters should enter as favourite despite the absence of former captain Cameron White.
The Saints set the world on fire with their 3-0 start to the season however they have been unable to match Newcastle City and Warners Bay since. Expect a tight contest in the middle and a big performance from their speedy forwards Riley Hawes, Rywin Nock and Walter Pankhurst.
PLAYER TO WATCH: John Atie (Singleton Roosters). The South Australian slotted five goals against the Marlins on Saturday.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 16, 2022. Maitland 10.8 (68) defeated Singleton 5.3 (33) at Max McMahon Oval.
FINAL PREDICTION: Singleton by 9 points.
The Entrance Bateau Bay vs. Newcastle City (2pm)
The first battle of the Blues appears much closer on paper than many would think. The home side rectified their first half fadeouts when conquering the Bulldogs in the second quarter of last week’s drawn clash. As predicted, Ryan Kesby was named as his side’s best while Ben Gibbons has also proven to be a solid performer in their past two clashes.
Newcastle City legend Cameron Keast makes his return to the side following a horrific injury to Max Quinlan on Saturday night. Coach Mitchell Knight has also selected Connor Bavage, Damian Magin and Ben Cant to make their Cup debut. Last week’s six-point defeat to Cardiff was a minor speed bump on what has been the side’s most impressive campaign since 2018.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Ethan Durbridge (Newcastle City). Usually named in the best during the home games, how will he go at Bateau Bay Oval?
FINAL PREDICTION: Newcastle City by 40.
Killarney Vale vs. Warners Bay (2pm)
A must win for the Killarney Vale line-up who only hold onto top spot by percentage over Newcastle City and Cardiff. The reigning premier will be without James Rigas, Lachie Waters, Jordan Canobie, Oscar Baker, Tom Sawyer, Tom Mumford, Alex Bailey, James Kidd, Tom Castelnuovo and two-time premiership player Rick White. Former Gosford Tiger Lachlan Henderson the only inclusion of note at this stage.
Warners Bay has been the hardest side to tip this year. No one could predict the horrid loss to Cardiff, the extraordinary win over Maitland or their jaw dropping draw to The Entrance Bateau Bay. The Bulldogs have an opportunity to expose the undermanned visitors this Saturday.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Ryan Arthur (Killarney Vale). The 20-year-old had a quiet game last week despite his side’s dominant 48-point win over the Panthers.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 11, 2022. Warners Bay 5.4 (34) defeated by Killarney Vale 16.8 (104) at Feighan Oval.
FINAL PREDICTION: Killarney Vale by 10.
Cardiff vs. Nelson Bay (3pm covered by Bruzer Photography)
The Marlins impressed many Singleton officials in their clash last week. The return of key forward Wayd Blackburn has strengthened the side’s campaign up forward while wingmen Kai Often and Lachlan Blyth found plenty of footy. This game marks the start of a tough month for the Marlins who will battle Newcastle City, Terrigal Avoca and Cardiff (again) before playing host to The Entrance Bateau Bay and Maitland.
Cardiff welcome back Tim Martini following his finger fracture against Killarney Vale in the season opener. Expect a large crowd for the 3pm clash which follows a special pre-game ceremony for Sir Doug Nicholls round.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Joseph Plumridge (Cardiff). The youngster has been named on the bench for his senior debut.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 1, 2021. Nelson Bay 2.2 (14) defeated by Cardiff 25.21 (171) at Dick Burwell Oval.
FINAL PREDICTION: Cardiff by 70.
AFL BLACK DIAMOND WOMENS CUP
Singleton vs. Newcastle City (10:30am)
For Newcastle City, an early morning win will see the powerhouse share top spot of the table (at least until 2pm). For Singleton, the home side has another opportunity to make an early statement on a premiership contender.
Just as you thought Newcastle City could not get any stronger, Emily Crouch starred with three goals against Cardiff on Saturday while Meaghan McDonald was also named in the side’s best players. Singleton will be without ball winners Molly Thomas, Chloe Jones, Alix O’Bryan, Tori Cowburn and Sarah Mousley however they have welcomed back star goal-kicker Pippa Kotzur.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Matilda Englert (Newcastle City). Has improved each game since making her debut last month.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 14, 2022. Newcastle City 9.10 (64) defeated Singleton 0.0 (0) at Pasterfield Sports Complex.
FINAL PREDICTION: Newcastle City by 30 points.
Warners Bay vs. Killarney Vale (12pm)
Killarney Vale should have no problem returning home with the four points this Saturday. When our eyes are not cast on their A-list contributors from Bethany Wood, Ashleigh Page, Eliza Hand to Kristen Kessler, Jazmyn Bender and Holly Gibbons we are fixated on the next generation of talent. Last week teenagers Emmerson Squires, Brooke Turner, Lucinda Watson, Taya White and Mia Wilson led the charge while Holly Bryson helped senior defenders Ivy Austen-Barratt and Skye Bailey restrict the Panthers’ to their lowest score of the season. The Bombers are a lock for the grand final this year, the toughest question is who will make their best line-up on the day?
The fixture is cruel for Warners Bay who play Newcastle City (home), Killarney Vale (away), Terrigal Avoca (away), Cardiff (home), Terrigal Avoca (home) and Newcastle City (away) after this weekend.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Cassandra Nugent (Warners Bay). Should hold off her opponent throughout the contest.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 11, 2022. Warners Bay 0.1 (1) defeated by Killarney Vale 17.13 (115) at Feighan Oval.
FINAL PREDICTION: Killarney Vale by 100+.
Cardiff vs. Lake Macquarie (12:40pm covered by Bruzer Photography)
There are shades of last year’s Women’s Plate grand final this Saturday with Melina Cooper, Madison Beringer, Cheyenne Neu, Rebecca Voigt, Grace Schrume, Lucy O’Connell and Sophie Frith named for the Hawks while the Dockers continue to transition into Women’s Cup footy. The addition of premiership winning ruck Isabella Jennings allows Bella Brandon to return to her key position but it is still very hard to fill the void left by Lake Macquarie’s forwards Apryl Bailey and Emma-Jayne Howe.
A number of Cardiff’s junior premiership talents have been selected to debut this Saturday. May this be the start of their memorable senior careers.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Kalari Beitsch (Lake Macquarie). The opening goal-kicker from last year’s season decider.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 1, 2021. Lake Macquarie 1.0 (6) defeated by Cardiff 24.12 (156) at Tulkaba Park.
FINAL PREDICTION: Cardiff by 70.
Remaining clashes:
Mens Plate
10am – Warners Bay vs. Killarney Vale at Feighan Oval
10:40am – Cardiff vs. Wyong at Pasterfield Sports Complex
12pm – Terrigal Avoca vs. Newcastle City at Hylton Moore
Womens Plate
9am – Cardiff vs. Muswellbrook at Pasterfield Sports Complex
10am on BarTV – Maitland vs. Gosford at Max McMahon Oval
10:20am – The Entrance Bateau Bay vs. Newcastle City at Bateau Bay Oval
12:10pm – Port Stephens vs. Killarney Vale at Ferodale Oval
Mens Shield
12pm – The Entrance Bateau Bay vs. Newcastle City at Bateau Bay Oval
12pm on BarTV – Maitland vs. Singleton at Max McMahon Oval
12pm – Lake Macquarie vs. Muswellbrook at Tulkaba Oval
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)
