Round 16 – The Most Exciting Round of Football in 2025 Ahead, Bombers need the Big Wins, Marlins still need to beat a Top 4 Side and Singleton flex on Past Player’s Day.

Round 16 – The Most Exciting Round of Football in 2025 Ahead, Bombers need the Big Wins, Marlins still need to beat a Top 4 Side and Singleton flex on Past Player’s Day.

Written by Oliver Croft

Here we go, footy fans! The final instalments of the 2025 AFLHCC season are upon us. Just two weeks remain in the home-and-away fixtures – and we’ve saved the best for last. Pivotal clashes are set to unfold across every oval, with potential finals previews adding to the weekend’s excitement. So, what’s in store? Whose track record holds up? Whose culture stands stronger, and whose voice is louder than the sideline? Who has what it takes to go all the way and lift the Premiership Cup?

It’s the Round 16 edition of On The Mark, the AFLHCC’s exclusive article series.

Men’s Cup

In the Men’s Cup, the blockbusters stack up higher than the goalposts. Everything is on the line. The finals race isn’t closed yet, as teams battle not just for points – but for survival. With pressure sky-high and finals spots still up for grabs, the atmosphere is electric, the drama intense, and the consequences season-defining.

Picture this: a squat brick clubhouse, built on a field of sand and dirt. Trees soaring skyward, thick bush surrounding the oval, and the main road bustling past. Its name? Dick Burwell Oval. Home of the Nelson Bay Marlins. And their season? Far from ordinary.

What a year to be part of the Marlins. They started in the Men’s Plate – reserves – and beat last year’s Reserve Premiers, Cardiff, by 218 points. Then Singleton by 146. After a Round 3 bye, they smashed Maitland by 200 in Round 4. A blistering start: three wins by a combined 564 points. Now, they sit fourth – a remarkable rise from eighth. Could this be the fairytale run to their first-ever first-grade premiership?

Fourth is a humble ladder position – but not as good as third. And in third? The proud, dominant, and battle-hardened Terrigal Avoca Panthers. With just three losses this season, they’re firmly in the hunt for their first flag since 2020. They’re eyeing second place, hoping City stumble and their own percentage rockets past the Blues. Why? Because the top two earn a second chance in finals. With losses to City, Cardiff, and Killarney Vale, Terrigal are desperate for that buffer.

So here it is – a script not even Shakespeare could write. You’ve heard of Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Cardiff vs City, Killarney Vale vs Terrigal, Maitland vs Warners Bay… the classical tales of the AFL Hunter Central Coast. But have you heard of Nelson Bay vs Terrigal Avoca? Fourth vs third. Marlins vs Panthers. Blue and yellow vs red and black. No premierships vs seven-time premiers since 2000. How will the story end? In the words of Bruce McAvaney – special.

Across town, it’s nothing short of blockbuster footy at No. 1 Sportsground. Newcastle City – the Blues – host Warners Bay – the Bulldogs. And this one? A potential Grand Final preview.

Round 1 at Feighan Oval: the Doggies hosted the premiers. With six minutes left, Tom Gardiner put the Bulldogs ahead by two. The clock ticked down, the Sherrin pinged end to end, the crowd roared. Then, Jordan Dear stepped up, kicking the Blues to a 60-64 lead with under three minutes to play. And with 41 seconds left, the ever-reliable Jack “Sheriff” Woodhams sealed it with another six-pointer. A ten-point win to City.

Then came Round 10. No. 1 Sportsground. Warners Bay did the unthinkable, beating the premiers on their home turf by 16 points. Elation.

Now, the ledger is even. The stage is set. At 3:00pm, Newcastle City await their old foes. Second vs first. Blues vs Bulldogs. Premiers’ vs finalists. Big Blue vs Big Dog. Be there.

But nothing is locked in. In fifth? The ever-soaring Killarney Vale Bombers. Mathematically and skilfully, the Bombers could still finish top four. Cancelled fixtures haven’t helped, but their contenders might not. The Bombers are still in the hunt for a Top 4 finish – but the path is narrow. Their finals hope hinges on a combination of strong wins and results falling their way elsewhere. With just two rounds to go, every margin matters, and every opponent becomes a potential roadblock or stepping stone. It’s a high-pressure equation, and there’s no room for error. But with two winnable games, the Bombers could stack a big score and make a margin worthy of finals. The Marlins, meanwhile, must win – or at least keep their losses tight. There is no room for error.

And the Saints? Some are already calling Maitland a 2026 finals team. After a narrow loss to Terrigal and a storm-shortened win over City, their improvement is clear. Maitland are looking sharp – and they might just derail the Bombers’ finals hopes.

Finally, Bateau Bay host Cardiff in what promises to be a tight affair. Their last meeting on June 28 ended with just a 20-point margin, as Bateau Bay struggled to convert against a stubborn Hawks forward line. Now, with only pride on the line and two wins to their name, Bateau Bay will be looking to finish strong.

It doesn’t get better than this… but don’t forget the Women’s League!

 

Women’s Cup

In the Women’s Cup, the contenders and pretenders are about to be revealed, as every clash carries the weight of a season. With finals hopes still alive for some and hanging by a thread for others, the stage is set for fierce battles and make-or-break moments. The pressure is unrelenting, the stakes monumental, and only those who can rise in the heat of the fight will keep their dreams alive – because in this round, we find out who’s the real deal and who’s not.

Cardiff suffered a shock loss to Newcastle City on City’s home turf – a match they should have won on form – but perhaps the stumble was inevitable, given their only other loss came way back in Round 1. The result saw City flex their premiership credentials once again, reclaiming top spot and reminding everyone just how dangerous they are when the stakes rise.

Singleton, meanwhile, lit up their Past Players Day with a convincing win over fourth-placed Bateau Bay. The Roosters looked sharp and confident, nailing a crucial victory that builds serious momentum heading into 2026.