AFL HUNTER CENTRAL COAST ROUND 9 PREVIEWS by Alex Tigani
AFL BLACK DIAMOND MENS CUP
The Entrance Bateau Bay vs. Cardiff (1pm)
I have had two highlights in my short AFL Hunter Central Coast playing career. The first took place on March 31, 2019 when Singleton stalwart Paul Chandler presented me with my first senior jumper. Standing next to him was his 11-year-old son Blayne. Fast forward to this Saturday’s clash and I hold back a tear when announcing Blayne will run out for his first senior game for Cardiff.
My second highlight took place last year when Singleton coach Neil Barton confirmed the inclusion of my baby brother Robert in our pre-season line-up against Muswellbrook. It was a dream come true. Though Cardiff ruckman Billy King will be rested this Saturday I am sure I speak for the big man when I say he will be proud to watch his younger brother Max run out for his first senior game as well. We can’t wait to see the two Kings running out side by side in the next month just as the Knights, Deverells, Moodys, Van Dams, Blyths, Russells and Kolatchews (and Tiganis) have done in recent years.
We hope they both have a memorable senior debut.
Ultimately, we can expect a one-sided game as a result of the home side’s long list of injuries. The Blues will be blooding seven Cup debutants in absence of Scott Reed, Cooper MacKay, Josh Arms and forward targets Adam Lyons and Jason Wileman. Even head coach Cori Hopper is on standby to lace up the boots, such is his passion for the top tier competition’s newest member club. Credit to you Chop!
PLAYER TO WATCH: Lachie MacNamara (Cardiff). Showed plenty of accuracy when scoring 10 goals in the final 70 minutes of the Hawk’s 111-point win over the Marlins. Hoping he can set up an opportunity for debutants Blayne Chandler and Max King as the contest goes on.
FINAL PREDICTION: Cardiff by 75+.
Newcastle City vs. Singleton (3pm on Bar TV)
After three weeks under the weather there was a sense of joy and relief to return to the training track at Rose Point Park on Thursday night. Youngsters Dorian Thornberry, Luke Dunn and Seth Kolatchew were running rings around their opponents, representative defender Sam Howard thwarted his opponents and key forward Dylan Hixon remained as vocal as they come. There is something very special about this Singleton group which remains on the rebuild from two heart-breaking preliminary final losses to Terrigal-Avoca (2019) and Newcastle City (2020). Unfortunately, injuries, overseas travel and work commitments have been the biggest hurdles when aiming to climb back into the top five.
Newcastle City will welcome a highly competitive Singleton with open arms this Saturday. The ladder leader has bounced back from their narrow loss to Cardiff with an 83-point win over The Entrance Bateau Bay and a confidence shattering 239-point victory over Nelson Bay. The home side will welcome back Connor Murray from injury while Jarrad Matson’s nine goal haul in the club’s 28.31 (199) to 0.0 (0) Men’s Plate win was enough for another call up.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Mitchell Gaffney (Singleton). One of only two Roosters to score a goal against Newcastle City in season 2022.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 10, 2022. Singleton 0.2 (2) defeated by Newcastle City 28.18 (186) at Rose Point Park.
FINAL PREDICTION: Newcastle City by 60.
Maitland vs. Killarney Vale (2pm)
Maitland could win this. It was my thought from Monday until Friday morning. At the start of the season you’d lock Killarney Vale in this clash as a certainty given the return of club legends Rick White (calf) and Damien Hector (knee) in exchange for Joshua Mifsud and the inclusion of former Warners Bay captain Anthony Atkins. However the side is still missing a long list of names from last year’s premiership side.
So, can we pick the Saints to commence the season with a 5-1 record at home? My heart says yes however the prediction cannot be justified without the return of key Saints Ben Stewart, Rywin Nock and key forward Matt Ireland.
The Saints will hope to nullify former North Hobart forward Tristan Barnett who has scored 20 goals (ten in the past three weeks). Perhaps Hamish Roy is the man for the job or the in-form Jack Ellis?
This will be a blockbuster match-up.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Supporters are encouraged to don watermelon and rockmelon shirts in honour of Maitland captain Riley Newstead’s 100th game.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 18, 2022. Killarney Vale 19.13 (127) defeated Maitland 3.3 (21) at Adelaide Street Oval.
FINAL PREDICTION: Killarney Vale by 10 points.
Terrigal Avoca vs. Nelson Bay forfeit
Both sides will be disappointed that this match has resulted in a forfeit.
The Panthers, who produced 16 individual goal-kickers the last time they played the Marlins, will now have an extended break and prepare for a run of Warners Bay (home), Newcastle City (away), The Entrance Bateau Bay, Singleton, Cardiff and Killarney Vale (all home).
The Marlins will look forward to three straight home games against Cardiff, The Entrance Bateau Bay and Maitland following the June long weekend. Keep up the rebuild Marlins family, the playing group can only get stronger from this point.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 8, 2021. Nelson Bay 1.0 (6) defeated by Terrigal Avoca 39.21 (255) at Dick Burwell Oval.
AFL BLACK DIAMOND WOMENS CUP
Newcastle City vs. Cardiff (1pm on BarTV)
For the second time in less than a month Newcastle City will play host to Cardiff in this second vs. third match-up. Emily Crouch was the hero the last time these sides met with a three-goal haul while Caitlin Holcombe slotted two for the first time this season.
Newcastle City coach Brett Godfrey is expecting a physical contest revealing that side cannot doubt Cardiff’s commitment.
Cardiff’s key defenders, including Chelsea Pember, must do what they can to shut down the home side’s long list of forward targets including Amy Pittman who backed up her 8.8 goals against Singleton with another three in her side’s commanding 9.12 (66) to 0.0 (0) win over Warners Bay on Saturday.
PLAYER TO WATCH: Nelita Sherrin-Bob (Cardiff) is capable of a long-distance goal to ignite the iconic No.1 Sportsground’s grandstand late in the match.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 6, 2023. Newcastle City 7.10 (52) defeated Cardiff 4.2 (26) at No.1 Sportsground.
FINAL PREDICTION: Newcastle City by 30 points.
Terrigal Avoca vs. Lake Macquarie – Forfeit
Only the one match this Saturday after the Terrigal Avoca vs. Lake Macquarie match was declared a forfeit while Killarney Vale, Singleton and Warners Bay have the bye.
Our hearts go out to the Terrigal Avoca playing group who will not have played a match for 42 days by the time they play host to Warners Bay in Round 11. That drought will be closer to 60 days for star goal-kicker Erin Wakefield following her concussion.
Lake Macquarie will hope to return with gusto when hosting Cardiff in Round 10.
LAST TIME THEY MET: Round 8, 2021. Lake Macquarie 0.3 (3) defeated by Terrigal Avoca 11.12 (78) at Tulkaba Park.
Remaining clashes:
Mens Plate
10:30am –Terrigal Avoca vs. Cardiff at Hylton Moore Oval
11am on BarTV – Newcastle City vs. Wyong at No.1 Sportsground
12pm – Warners Bay vs. Killarney Vale at Feighan Oval
Womens Plate
8:50am –Terrigal Avoca vs. Muswellbrook at Hylton Moore Oval
9:20am – Newcastle City vs. Gosford at No.1 Sportsground
12pm – Port Stephens vs. Cardiff at Ferodale Oval
12:20pm – Maitland vs. Killarney Vale at Max McMahon Oval
Mens Shield
Bye round
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)
